Here's a family-size roast for your home holiday buffet, along with a classic yule log cake, the traditional centerpiece of the French Christmas dessert table.

Many smorgasbord restaurants tout huge slabs of roast beef and ham, sliced while you wait. Here's a smaller family-size roast we adapted for your buffet at home this holiday.

Iowa Buche de Noel is our version of a classic yule log cake, the traditional centerpiece of the French Christmas dessert table. Add a dusting of powdered sugar to the cake for a snowy finish.

Your Menu: Serves 4

Buffet Beef Roast

• Shredded cabbage or lettuce salad or coleslaw
• Mashed potatoes
• Fresh fruit platter

Iowa Buche de Noel

• Assorted wines (both red and white) or sparkling apple juice

Test Kitchen Tips:

This menu is a start. Add in your favorite traditional dishes, such as Waldorf Salad, your favorite dinner roll, cooked peas, etc. You can even add in another dessert that might usually appear on your table at holiday time, in addition to the Buche de Noel. Let your guests indulge themselves.

For an easy cabbage salad, in a large bowl combine 4 cups shredded cabbage, 1 carrot, chopped, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice; cover and chill up to 4 hours. In a chilled medium mixing bowl beat 1 cup whipping cream and 1 tablespoon powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold into cabbage mixture along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve immediately or cover and chill up to 2 hours. Add halved seedless grapes and/or toasted nuts, if you like.

Fresh fruit is always a nice option for a holiday buffet. For planning purposes, figure 1/2 cup of fruit per person.

Shopping List for: Beef

• 1 4-pound beef rib-eye roast
• 1 head cabbage
• 1-pound package carrots
• 1 lemon
• 1 8-ounce carton whipping cream
• 4 pounds potatoes
• 1 pound butter
• 1 quart milk
• desired fresh fruit for platter such as red and green grapes, pears, and apples
• 3 to 4 bottles desired red and white wines or sparkling
• apple juice

Pantry Items:

• cooking oil
• dried thyme
• dried rosemary
• ground black pepper
• garlic salt
• salt

Shopping List for: Cake

• 1 package cake flour
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1-pound package powdered sugar
• 1 8-ounce carton whipping cream
• 1 8-ounce package semisweet chocolate
• 1 8-ounce package unsweetened chocolate
• 1 8-ounce container refrigerated or frozen egg product
• 1 jar instant espresso powder or coffee crystals
• 1 bottle cognac, orange liqueur, Kirsch, cherry brandy, creme de cassis (or you can use water)
• 1 pound unsalted butter

Pantry Items:

• cornstarch
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• baking soda
• salt
• vanilla
• granulated sugar
• shortening for greasing pan

Equipment Needed:

For Beef:

• measuring spoons
• pastry brush
• small bowl
• shallow roasting pan with rack
• foil
• cutting board and carving knife
• 2 large bowl
• medium bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatulas
• large pot with lid
• colander

For Cake:

• measuring cups and spoons
• fine mesh sieve or flour sifter
• 15x10x1-inch baking pan
• waxed paper
• 2 medium bowls
• large bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatulas
• clean kitchen towel
• thin metal spatula
• fork
• food processor

Missing an item in our equipment list?

Great Appetizers:

Our Holiday Cookbook is full of great recipes perfect for entertaining crowds large and small this season. View our slide show of delectable appetizers and desserts, the very best of the Holiday Cookbook.

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