Chocolate Peppermint Log

Name: Chocolate Peppermint Log
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 3 large eggs, separated; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup baking cocoa; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided; 1/3 cup water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; FILLING:; 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed; 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies; GLAZE:; 5 teaspoons butter; 2 tablespoons baking cocoa; 2 tablespoons water; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies

What a great make-ahead treat! This cake log is perfect for the holidays because you can make it when you have time, store it in the freezer and scratch dessert off of your to-do list. —Brenda Sinclair, Princeton, Missouri

Ingredients

3 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
GLAZE:
5 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 tablespoons water
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candies

Directions

Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. Line bottom of a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt twice.
In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until slightly thickened. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating on high speed until thick and lemon-colored. Beat in water and vanilla. Fold in flour mixture (batter will be very thick).
With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Fold a fourth of the whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites. Transfer to prepared pan, spreading evenly.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool 5 minutes. Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with cocoa. Gently peel off paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and peppermint candies.
Unroll cake; spread filling over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up again, without towel. Place on a platter, seam side down. Refrigerate, covered, until cold.
For glaze, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in cocoa and water until blended. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Cool slightly.
Spread glaze over cake. Sprinkle with peppermint candies. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes.

Freeze option: Securely wrap and freeze cake before glazing. To use, thaw wrapped cake in refrigerator overnight. Unwrap cake and glaze as directed.