A bûche de Noël is a French Christmas cake built along the same lines as a swiss roll, and extensively decorated to give it the appearance of a wooden log. Bakers will create "branches" and "mushrooms" of marzipan, score the external buttercream frosting to simulate bark, and add candied fruits, holly, almonds and pistachios.
The bûche de Noël is traditionally eaten at the révillon supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but they can be purchased throughout the holiday season.