Cake rolls are an exquisite and adaptable dessert, known for their light, sponge-like texture and endless possibilities for fillings and decorations. Perfect for any occasion—from birthdays to holidays or just a sweet craving—cake rolls impress both in flavor and presentation. In this article, we’ll explore four distinctive cake roll recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic treat, including the indulgent Black Forest Swiss Roll and the refreshing Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake.
Black Forest Swiss Roll – A Chocolate and Cherry Delight
The Black Forest Swiss Roll marries two iconic flavors: rich chocolate and sweet cherries. This version, inspired by the classic Black Forest cake, is lighter and easier to make, yet still indulgently flavorful. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, bringing a touch of elegance and decadence to the table.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
For the filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar together until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Cool and Roll: Dust a clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar. Invert the baked cake onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll it up from the short end with the towel. Allow the cake to cool completely in this rolled position.
- Prepare the Filling: Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Cake Roll: Once the cake has cooled, carefully unroll it and spread the whipped cream evenly on the surface. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream and roll the cake back up tightly. Place it seam-side down on a serving platter.
- Garnish and Serve: Dust the top with chocolate shavings and refrigerate for at least an hour before slicing. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the cake easier to cut.
Strawberry Birthday Cake Roll – A Celebration of Fresh Fruit and Whipped Cream
This Strawberry Birthday Cake Roll is a perfect blend of a light sponge cake, fresh strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream. Its vibrant pink color and fresh fruit make it an ideal dessert for birthdays or any joyful occasion.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
For the filling:
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Batter: Beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture.
- Bake the Cake: Spread the batter into the pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched.
- Roll the Cake: Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Once baked, invert the cake onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll it up tightly. Let it cool completely.
- Fill the Cake: Unroll the cooled cake and spread whipped cream evenly over the surface. Top with sliced strawberries.
- Roll and Chill: Roll the cake back up, without the towel, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Serve: Slice the cake into portions and garnish with extra whipped cream and strawberries before serving.
Purple Velvet Cake Roll – A Colorful Twist on a Classic
This Purple Velvet Cake Roll is a showstopper that adds a vibrant, eye-catching hue to the classic red velvet cake. With a rich cream cheese filling, this cake balances deep flavor with stunning color, making it perfect for any special occasion.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Purple food coloring (gel or liquid)
For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the buttercream (optional):
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Purple food coloring
For decoration:
- Fresh blackberries or purple berries
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on high for 3-4 minutes until pale and thick. Mix in the vanilla extract and fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk. Add purple food coloring until you reach your desired shade.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Roll the Cake: Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Once the cake is baked, invert it onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll it up tightly. Let it cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy and creamy.
- Assemble the Cake Roll: Once the cake has cooled, unroll it and spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the surface. Roll the cake back up tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Optional Buttercream Frosting: For a decorative touch, beat butter and powdered sugar to create a smooth buttercream, tinting it with purple food coloring. Spread it over the cake roll.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with fresh blackberries or purple berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Optionally, pipe buttercream swirls for added elegance.
Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake – A Tangy and Creamy Delight
The Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake offers the perfect balance of tangy lemon flavor and creamy sweetness. With lemon zest in the cake and a light, lemon-infused whipped cream filling, this cake is ideal for spring celebrations or when you crave a refreshing, citrusy dessert.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
For the filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. Beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Stir in vanilla extract, then fold in sifted flour and baking powder. Add lemon zest and juice, mixing gently. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched.
- Roll the Cake: Dust a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Once baked, invert the cake onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll it up tightly. Let it cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar, lemon extract, and zest, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Cake Roll: Unroll the cooled cake and spread the lemon whipped cream filling evenly over the surface. Re-roll the cake tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Serve: Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and slice into individual portions.
Conclusion
Cake rolls are a timeless dessert that combines versatility with elegance. Whether you’re preparing a Black Forest Swiss Roll, a Strawberry Birthday Cake Roll, a Purple Velvet Cake Roll, or a Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake, each variation brings something unique to the table. Mastering the art of rolling a warm, soft cake ensures a perfect roll that doesn’t crack. With countless combinations of fillings and decorations, cake rolls are an endlessly creative dessert. From rich chocolate to refreshing citrus, the possibilities are infinite. Happy baking!CategoriesRecipes