Nesquik Bûche de Noël

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line bottom of 15- x 10-inch (25 x 38 cm) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Sift together flour, 1/2 cup (125 mL) Nesquik powder, baking powder and salt twice; set aside.

Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/3 cup (75 mL) sugar for 5 to 7 minutes or until very thick, pale and light yellow in colour. Beat in vanilla; set aside.

In separate bowl, beat egg whites (with clean beaters) on low speed until foamy. Increase speed to high; beat until soft peaks start to form. Sprinkle remaining sugar, 1 tbsp (15 mL) at a time, over top, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Fold half of the egg whites into egg yolk mixture until blended. Fold in remaining egg whites just until incorporated. Sprinkle flour mixture over top; fold in flour mixture just until blended.

Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until tester comes out clean when inserted into centre.

Sift remaining Nesquik powder generously onto clean kitchen towel. Run thin knife around edge of cake to loosen from side of pan; invert onto towel. Peel off parchment paper. Starting from one short side, roll up cake with tea towel to resemble log. Place rolled cake, seam side down, on rack; let cool completely.

Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy; beat in icing sugar and vanilla. Set aside.

In separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks start to form; fold into cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Unroll cooled cake. Spread evenly with cream cheese filling, leaving 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around cake. Sprinkle Smarties over top. Roll up without tea towel. Transfer to parchment paper–lined tray. Refrigerate until ready to glaze.

Transfer cake to serving platter. Pour glaze over rolled cake, spreading to coat well (leave ends exposed to reveal roll if desired). Dust with Nesquik powder. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water, melt together chocolate chips, butter and maple syrup until smooth. (Alternatively, microwave in microwave-safe bowl at medium heat, stirring every 30 seconds, for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted.) Let stand for about 5 minutes or until cooled.