The Pandoro Yule Log Trifle is an elegant, spectacular, and surprisingly easy-to-make Christmas dessert. No baking is required; it is made with soft slices of Pandoro filled with a double cream: one vanilla and one chocolate, just like in the tradition of trifle. Thanks to the Alkermes soak, the roll is fragrant, colorful, and irresistibly delicious. It is the ideal dessert to impress guests at Christmas or New Year’s, perfect to prepare in advance and keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Try these yule log recipes too:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 4 Hours
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 8/10
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: New Year, Christmas
Ingredients
- Half pandoro
- 2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 oz sugar
- 2 oz cornstarch
- vanilla
- lemon zest
- 3.5 oz chocolate
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- liqueur (Alkermes)
Steps
The preparation of the Pandoro Yule Log Trifle – Easy and No-Bake Recipe is very simple, watch the video HERE.
-
Prepare the cream
In a saucepan, place the eggs, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix well, then add the milk,
Add the grated lemon zest and vanilla flavoring. Bring to the heat and cook, stirring, until the cream thickens. When ready, transfer half of the cream to a bowl, cover it with cling film, and let it cool.
To the remaining cream in the pot, add the chocolate and a tablespoon of sifted cocoa.
Stir until a smooth and even cream is obtained. Transfer it to a bowl, cover with cling film, and let it cool completely.
Prepare the pandoro base
Slice the pandoro and arrange the slices on the cling film, slightly overlapping. Flatten with a rolling pin to create a compact base.
Soak the entire surface with Alkermes, without overdoing it. Spread about three-quarters of the chocolate cream on the base, distributing it well. Add the vanilla cream on top, leveling with a spatula.
Roll the stuffed pandoro tightly with the help of the cling film. Close tightly like candy and refrigerate for a few hours, so it will compact perfectly. Retrieve the roll, trim the ends, then cut two slices diagonally to create the classic “branches” of the log.
Arrange them on the sides and reassemble the shape. Cover everything with the remaining chocolate cream, creating the trunk effect with a spatula or fork. Decorate as desired with powdered sugar, chocolate, sprinkles, or red fruits.
-
storage & tips:
🧊 Storage
The Pandoro Yule Log Trifle can be stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days, well covered with cling film or in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended as the Pandoro may lose softness and the cream may change consistency.
Delicious Variations
Non-alcoholic soak: replace Alkermes with vanilla-flavored milk or red fruit juice for a child-friendly version.
Chocolate version: add chocolate chips or shavings between layers.
With red fruits: add a handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries for a fresh and tangy contrast.
Cocoa Pandoro: for an even more intense result, use a cocoa pandoro for the base.
Different coating: you can replace the chocolate cream with a ganache or cocoa whipped cream.
