Yule log

Grease the bottom of a 15x10x1" jelly roll pan; line w/ waxed paper; grease slightly. Preheat oven to 375. In a lg electric mixer bowl, at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form when beaters are slowly lifted. Add 1/4 c sugar, 2 T at a time, beating until stiff peaks form when beaters are slowly lifted.

With the same beaters, beat yolks at high speed, adding remaining 1/2 c sugar, 2 T at a time; beat until mixture is very thick, appx 4 minutes. At low speed, beat in cocoa, vanilla, salt, just until smooth. With wire whisk or rubber spatula, gently fold cocoa mixture into egg whites just until blended (no egg whites should show).

Spread evenly in pan. Bake 15 minutes, just until surface springs back when gently pressed with fingertip. Sift confectioner's sugar in a 15x10" rectangle on a clean linen towel. Turn cake out on sugar; lift off pan; peel paper off cake. Roll up cake jelly-roll-fashion, starting with the short end towel and all. Cool completely on rack, seam side down.

FILLING: Combine ingredients in medium bowl. Beat with electric mixer until thick; chill.

TO ASSEMBLE: Unroll cake; spread with filling to 1" from edge; reroll. Place, seam side down, on plate. Cover loosely with foil. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

TO SERVE: Sprinkle yule log w/ confectioner's sugar and decorate with red candied cherries and green angelica "leaves". If you can't find angelica, use cut up green candied cherries.
NOTE:You may make the Yule Log up to a week ahead and freeze, wrapped in foil. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.