
I'm so happy to share this gorgeous Mango Passion Vanilla Christmas Log with you, a twist on Jonathan Mougel's amazing creation. As someone who's crazy about baking, this has totally won my heart - it brings sunny, tropical vibes to our holiday table. It's such a refreshing change from the traditional Christmas desserts we're used to.
A dessert that takes you places
I wanted to create something truly special with this log. The vanilla mousse feels like silk on your tongue, while the almond crunch layer gives that irresistible snap. My favorite part? The mango-passion fruit center that bursts with tropical sunshine in every bite. It's the perfect way to wrap up your holiday meal.
What you'll need from the store
- Almond sponge cake: 2 organic eggs, 65 g fine sugar, 65 g of my go-to flour, 25 g freshly ground almond powder.
- Crunchy layer: 68 g homemade praline if you can, 10 g good white chocolate, one lovely vanilla pod, 40 g crispy crepes, my favorite sea salt, 20 g toasted almonds.
- Mango-passion insert: 75 g ripe mango pulp, 200 g fresh pineapple, a tiny bit of fresh ginger, 26 g brown sugar, one organic lime, my trusted gelling agents.
- Vanilla mousse: 170 g whole milk, real vanilla, 50 g farm-fresh egg yolks, 30 g sugar, gelatin, my favorite white chocolate, 240 g fresh cream.
- Tropical glaze: Fragrant fruit pulps, my glucose, sugar, gelling agents and neutral glaze for shine.
Steps from my recipe notebook
- The gentle sponge cake
- I whip my eggs with sugar over a water bath until they get super fluffy. Then I gently fold in flour and almonds, and pop it in the oven at 175°C for just 8 minutes.
- My tasty crunchy layer
- I slowly melt white chocolate, then mix in vanilla and praline. A quick stir with crushed crispy crepes and almonds, then into the fridge it goes.
- The show-stopping insert
- I simmer my fruits lovingly, add my gelling agents and pour into my special mold. Then it's off to the freezer to set.
- The cloud-like vanilla mousse
- I carefully make a vanilla custard, blend it with white chocolate and fold in whipped cream for an airy texture.
- My shiny glaze
- I make the glaze a day ahead, using my fragrant fruits and temperature tricks for that mirror-like finish.
Putting it all together
This is my favorite part. I carefully line my mold, pour in the vanilla mousse, slide in the frozen insert and finish with my crunchy base. After six hours in the freezer comes the magical moment of glazing. Then I let my creativity run wild with the final decoration.

My little tricks
I always pick super ripe fruits for maximum flavor. My tip for glazing? I test it on a corner of the counter before going all in. And I never rush the freezing steps - that's how you get clean, sharp edges on your log.
Time to enjoy
In my living room, I love serving this log with a drizzle of homemade passion fruit sauce. A small scoop of mango sorbet works wonders alongside it. And for those who want more, I always suggest a chilled glass of Sauternes or a cup of white tea with floral notes. That's holiday magic right there.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can you make this ahead of time?
- Yes, this dessert can be prepped early and kept in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Just let it thaw for 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.
- → What's the trick to a smooth glaze?
- The glaze works best at exactly 30°C. The dessert should be well-frozen, and you need to pour the glaze in one go for an even finish.
- → Can frozen fruits replace fresh ones?
- Absolutely! Just make sure the frozen fruits are drained well to avoid extra water affecting the texture.
- → How should I store it?
- Keep it frozen for up to 2 weeks. After thawing, store in the fridge for 2 days max. Don't refreeze once thawed.
- → What if I don't have a special mold?
- A specific mold is ideal, but you can use a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap. It won’t look as polished, though.