Dense and chewy traditional Maltese Christmas log, made from crushed biscuits, a mix of nuts, chocolate and candied cherries.
One of my ultimate favourite Christmas treats has to be the Maltese Christmas Log. Every year, during the month of December everyone starts to prepare their preferred log ahead of the festivities. It is the ideal treat to have on hand when visitors come to visit, a delicious gift or simply an addictive treat to have at home to enjoy with some coffee or mulled wine! In my family the Christmas log task has always been my aunt’s! Every year, she prepares a huge quantity of logs for us to enjoy and to share with our friends and family! This recipe here in fact, is an adaptation from my aunt’s classic recipe!
What is a Maltese Christmas log?
Christmas logs or yules are basically a tradition all over the world. A cylindrical dessert covered in chocolate and made to look like a tree’s trunk. The most popular logs or yules are made of a sponge cake and filled with a creamy filling which then gets rolled to form a cylinder. However, the Maltese Christmas log is different.
The Maltese Christmas log is in a way a hybrid of the more famous dessert chocolate salami by the Italians. Although, there isn’t that much similarity between the both. The base of the Christmas log consists of crushed butter biscuits and condensed milk. Additionally, a mix of nuts are added; usually the most commonly used are hazelnuts and walnuts, however this is really up to your likings! The next ingredient – candied cherries or mixed fruits – might cause a bit of a debate on your dining table but I personally think it adds some extra sweetness!
Finally, I like to finish it off with a good helping of cacao powder to make the log more rich in flavour. Although, lately I’ve discovered that there are people who omit this, so it’s really up to you! Lastly, if you can, add a splash of alcohol in there to celebrate even further! My favourites have to be white vermouth or brandy!
Decoration
Traditionally, Christmas logs are decorated with a dust of icing sugar and small Christmas figurines, such as a Christmas Father, a Snowmen, a tree etc. Although, the choice is up to you!
Maltese Christmas Log
Ingredients
- 450 g Morning Coffee/Petit Beurre biscuits
- 45 g cocoa powder 6 tbsp
- 100 g walnuts
- 100 g hazelnuts
- 125 ml vermouth 1/2 cup optional
- 100 g whole candied cherries
- 400 g condensed milk
- 150 g chocolate melted
Instructions
- Start by roasting the walnuts and hazelnuts until fragrant. Let them cool and chop into medium sized pieces.
- In a food processor finely crush all the biscuits.
- In a large bowl, add the crushed biscuits, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, and whole candied cherries. Combine together.
- Add the condensed milk and the vermouth, if desired. With your hands mix everything well together until you achieve a sticky mixture.
- Roll this mixture in a cylindrical shape and set aside for now.
- Melt the chocolate and cover the log shaped dessert completely. To get the trunk texture, you can simply pass through the melted chocolate with a fork to get all those ridges.
- Let the chocolate harden before slicing through it and don’t forget to add your decorations with a sprinkle of icing sugar.
- Ideally, the Christmas log doesn’t get stored in the fridge as this will make it dry.
If you have any questions, feedback or comments on this recipe, please leave a comment below. Please also rate this recipe by double clicking on the stars below. If you did make this recipe, tag @apronandwhisk and hashtag #apronandwhisk, as I’m curious to see what you create!
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This Maltese Christmas log looks beautiful. How long will it keep and what is the best way to store it? (Just wondering how long in advance of serving it Christmas Day I can make it.). Thank you and Merry Christmas from Canada!
Thank you so much! I usually keep it sealed in an airtight container outside. I don’t like to put it in the fridge as it alters slightly the taste. It can keep well for a week, so you can prepare it days in advance and it will still be delicious 😁 Merry Christmas to you too ♥️ Let me know what you think about the recipe once you make it 😊
The Maltese Log looks lovely and I would love to make it. However, I have some family members who are allergic to nuts. What would you advise as an alternative?
Hi! 🙂 You can easily omit the nuts without doing a substitution. However, if you want you can try adding seeds, chocolate chips or even marshmallows 🙂
Can i use another alcohol instead of vermouth ?
I did two christmas logs last year with your recipe and they came out perfect.
Tjank ypu
Hi! Yes, you can use whiskey, brandy, or even wine, especially sweet wine such as marsala or port wine! I’m glad to hear that ☺️
thanks for this 🙂 how much time would you leave from point 5 to 6 pls? (ie. before melting the chocolate)
I apologise for my late reply!! If I have time I leave it overnight, if not a half an hour or an hour would be enough.
Wishing you a Happy New Year! 🙂
Log looks really yummy.
What can I use instead of condensed milk please…..like another type of milk or alcohol.
Tks
Thank you! 🙂 You can also use regular milk, coconut cream, orange juice, or even make a paste using dates and milk. The quantities for each will vary depending on how much you need, so feel free to adjust accordingly.