If traditional yule logs feel a bit too heavy after a big holiday meal, this angel food yule log is your delicious solution. Made with a boxed angel food cake mix and filled with a luscious strawberry cream cheese blend, it’s festive, simple, and lighter than the usual chocolate roll. A light cocoa flavor enhances the cake, while the creamy filling adds a tangy-sweet contrast. It’s a show-stopper with minimal effort—and no one will believe how easy it was.

Table of Contents

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light and airy: Angel food cake keeps this dessert from feeling too heavy.
Quick to make: Ready in under 90 minutes from start to finish.
Minimal ingredients: Just a handful of pantry staples and no fancy tools.
Customizable: Switch up the fruit or add a dusting of cocoa or drizzle of chocolate.
Make-ahead friendly: Bake and roll the cake a day in advance.

📝 Ingredients

For the Cake

1 box angel food cake mix
1 cup cold water
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Donut sugar or powdered sugar (for dusting)

For the Filling

8 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened
1 cup thawed frozen strawberries or ¾ cup fresh, mashed
¾ cup powdered sugar

Optional: chocolate frosting for decorating

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat and prep pans:
Preheat oven to 350°F (or 300°F for convection). Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
Make the batter:
In a clean, grease-free bowl, beat the cake mix and cold water on low for 30 seconds. Scrape bowl, add cocoa powder, mix again briefly, then beat on medium for 30 seconds until just combined.
Bake:
Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake 23–28 minutes (standard oven) or 15–20 minutes (convection) until set and springy. Let cool 5 minutes.
Roll the cakes:
While still warm, sprinkle top with donut sugar or powdered sugar. Place a clean towel or parchment on top, invert, and peel off baking parchment. Roll gently into a log with towel inside. Let cool completely in rolled shape.
Make the filling:
In a bowl, beat cream cheese and strawberries until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fully combined. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble:
Carefully unroll cake, spread filling evenly (about 1½ cups per log), and re-roll tightly. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Decorate and serve:
Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Optionally, frost with chocolate icing and use a spatula to create a bark-like effect.

🕒 Recipe Details

Prep Time: 30–45 minutes
Cook Time: 15–30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4–6 slices (per log)
Difficulty: Medium

🍽 Nutrition Facts (Estimated per slice, yields 6 slices)

Calories: ~675 kcal
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 96g
Sugar: 65g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 380mg

Note: Nutritional values may vary based on exact ingredients and serving size.

💡 Tips & Variations

Don’t overmix the batter—stop once everything is just combined.
Roll while warm to avoid cracking. Use parchment or a towel dusted with sugar.
Filling too soft? Chill it before spreading so it holds shape better.
Berry swaps: Try raspberries, blueberries, or even mango puree.
Optional toppings: Drizzle with chocolate ganache or pipe whipped cream stars.
Make ahead: Cake can be baked and rolled (without filling) a day in advance.

❓ FAQs

Can I use store-bought angel food cake?
It’s not ideal for this recipe since it won’t roll well. Stick to a boxed mix or homemade from scratch for best results.

Why does my cake crack when rolling?
You may have let it cool too long. Roll while still warm and use a towel/parchment to support the shape.

Can I freeze this yule log?
Yes! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Can I skip the cocoa powder?
Absolutely. It adds mild chocolate flavor, but the cake works great without it for a classic vanilla angel food base.

Angel Food Yule Log

A light and festive chocolate angel food roll filled with strawberry cream cheese—perfect for a holiday dessert table.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 3

Calories 675 kcal

Equipment

– 2 half-sheet pans
– Electric mixer (whisk + paddle attachments)
Mixing bowls
Parchment paper
– Offset spatula
– Kitchen towel (optional)
– Plastic wrap

Ingredients

**For the Cake**
– 1 box angel food cake mix
– 1 cup cold water
– 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
– Donut sugar or powdered sugar for dusting
**For the Filling**
– 8 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese softened
– 1 cup thawed frozen strawberries or ¾ cup fresh mashed
– ¾ cup powdered sugar
**Optional**
– Chocolate icing for topping

Instructions

**Preheat** oven to 350°F (or 300°F for convection). Line two half-sheet pans with parchment.
**Make the batter**: In a clean bowl, mix cake mix and water on low. Scrape, add cocoa, mix briefly. Beat on medium for 30 seconds.
**Bake**: Divide between pans. Bake 23–28 min (standard) or 15–20 min (convection) until springy.
**Roll**: While warm, dust with sugar. Invert onto towel/parchment, peel off backing, and roll into log. Cool completely.
**Make filling**: Beat cream cheese and strawberries. Add powdered sugar slowly. Chill until thickened.
**Assemble**: Unroll cake, spread filling, re-roll tightly. Wrap and chill 30+ minutes.
**Decorate**: Dust with sugar or frost with chocolate icing. Slice and serve!

Notes

– Roll the cake while still warm to avoid cracking.
– Chill the filling before using so it holds its shape.
– For added flair, drizzle with ganache or serve with berries.

Keyword angel food yule log

🎉 Conclusion

This angel food yule log is a light, beautiful centerpiece for your holiday dessert table. With its fluffy texture, strawberry cream cheese swirl, and snowy powdered sugar finish, it’s festive without being heavy. Whether you’re hosting a party or just making something special for your family, this recipe will wow everyone—and you won’t even break a sweat making it.

Easy Angel Food Yule Log