Lincoln Log Cake

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 15 min. + chilling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Apr. 09, 2023
To celebrate Presidents' Day, try this treat from Mary Thomas of Hartford, Wisconsin. "My mother always made this cake roll in February," she remembers.

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, grated
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture.
  2. Line a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan with waxed paper and grease the paper. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. Turn cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in towel, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. For frosting, combine the sugar, cornstarch, salt and water in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate, butter and vanilla; stir until melted.
  4. While frosting is warm, unroll cake and spread half of frosting over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up. Spread remaining frosting over outside of roll. Using tines of a fork, drag along sides of cake to resemble tree bark. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 210 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 155mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.