Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake

Name: Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 132 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup all purpose flour; ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa (dutch processed); ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 pinch salt; 3 large eggs (room temperature); ½ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup milk (room temperature / I use 2%); ½ teaspoon vanilla; 1½ cups cream whole/heavy or whipping cream (at least 30% fat); 4 ounces dark chocolate chopped (good quality, I used one with 52% cocoa); 1 teaspoon corn syrup (optional)*

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A Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake is an impressive dessert recipe that is not difficult to make. With a few tips and tricks, you can make this wonderful chocolate cake roll filled with sweet meringue buttercream and coated in a shiny chocolate glaze. Slice, serve, and you will wow your family and friends with this chocolate treat.

When I started baking, there were many dessert recipes I would look at and think, “how did they do that?” and also “I could never do that!” Well, luckily I didn’t listen to that second one because I happily discovered many times that even the most difficult-looking desserts were actually not hard to make at all.

A chocolate swiss roll cake was one of those desserts that seemed intimidating to me. How do you go about rolling up a cake with a filling? And how does it stay rolled up? Well, after making this classic cake many, many times since then I can say it’s actually quite easy.

So, if you are where I was all those years ago when I first started baking, I am happy to share this recipe with you. Even a beginner baker can make a swiss roll cake with success and, once you do, your family and friends will think, “how did you do that?”. They will think you’ve been going to pastry school in your spare time.

Roll cake on a white place with a slice cut on a white plate with a fork.

What is a Swiss Roll Cake?

There are three parts to this type of cake: the actual cake (or sponge), the filling, and the glaze (or another type of frosting).

These types of cakes can be made with many different flavors. This version is a simple chocolate cake with a buttercream filling and chocolate glaze.

For this type of cake, you make a flat cake and, while it’s still warm, roll it up. Once it cools you unroll it, add the filling and roll it up again. Then it is sliced to show off the cake and the filling spiraled together.

Cake rolls can be very elaborate. Have you ever seen a Buche de Noel? Those traditional Christmas cake rolls can be very fancy with frosting and decorations to make them look like a festive holiday yule log.

The swiss roll cake recipe I’m sharing today is perfect for a beginner. It’s simple but delicious and once you know how to make one, you can experiment with other flavor combinations and decorations.

Roll cake on a white plate with a piece on a white plate drizzled with melted chocolate.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Large eggs
Granulated sugar
Milk
Vanilla
Swiss meringue buttercream – this can be made in advance, see more about this in the tips section.
Heavy whipping cream
Chopped good quality dark chocolate
Corn syrup – optional

How to Make the Cake

For the cake, you will need a 10×15″ (25×28 cm) jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. You will also need a sheet of parchment paper that is at least 2″ (4 cm) wider on all sides than your sheet pan.

Line the pan with the parchment paper and then lightly grease and flour the parchment paper.

Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.

Eggs beaten and dry ingredients whisked in bowls.

In a large bowl (or stand mixer), beat the eggs until the mixture is light and fluffy. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. Beat the mixture for one minute.

Remaining wet ingredients & sugar beaten with egg.

With the mixer at low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients a little at a time. Once all of the flour mixture has been added, increase the speed to medium and beat the batter for one minute.

Dry ingredients added and beaten to combine.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Rap the pan a few times on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles in the batter.

Batter spread on the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake the cake for about 12 to 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C). The cake is done when you can lightly press the center of the cake and it springs back.

As soon as you take the cake out of the oven, carefully lift it from the pan using the edge of the parchment as a handle.

Roll the hot cake up into itself (with the parchment paper) like a jelly roll. Place the roll on a baking rack to cool.

Roll cake rolled with the parchment paper.

How to Fill the Cake

Once the cake roll is cooled, unroll roll it. While you unroll it, remove the parchment paper and discard it.

Spread a little more than 1/2 of the buttercream filling on top of the unrolled cake.

Cake unrolled and frosting spread on top.

Roll the cake up again and then coat the outside of the roll with the rest of the buttercream. Place the cake roll on a plate or cookie sheet and refrigerate it for 10 to 15 minutes.

Roll Cake rolled back up and remaining frosting spread on top.

How to Glaze the Swiss Roll Cake

While the cake chills, you can make the chocolate glaze.

Place the chopped chocolate and corn syrup in a heat-proof bowl.

Pour the cream into a saucepan and heat it on the stove until it’s steaming hot but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then stir until you have a smooth glaze.

Hot milk added to the chopped chocolate and stirred until smooth.

Remove the chilled cake roll from the fridge and pour the chocolate glaze evenly over the roll. Refrigerate the cake roll for at least 45 minutes to an hour before slicing and serving.

Chocolate poured on top of the roll cake and chilled.

Recipe Tips

Cake Batter Tip: It’s always a good idea to use room-temperature eggs and milk when you make the cake batter. Room temperature ingredients are easier to combine without having to overmix the batter. This will make your cake more soft and tender.
Baking Tip: It’s very important to not overbake the cake. The first time you make it, be sure to keep an eye on it and check it. Once it springs back in the center it’s ready. Every oven is different and your cake may need more or less time.
Filling Tip: The buttercream meringue is a wonderfully stable frosting/filling that you can make up to five days in advance. You can even make it ahead and freeze it for several months.
Glaze Tip: I like to add corn syrup to the glaze because it makes it nice and shiny when it’s set. You can omit it if you prefer but your glaze won’t be as shiny.
Decorating Tip: Top the glaze with shaved or grated chocolate, finely chopped nuts, or even sprinkles for extra decorations.

FAQs

My cake roll is more flat and square instead of round. What did I do wrong?

When you roll the cake, you will want to roll it into itself like a jelly roll. It’s important when you start the roll to tuck the end in tightly as you start to roll and keep the roll somewhat tight so it will hold a round shape.

My cake cracked! Can I fix it?

If your cake cracked it’s mostly like because it is over baked. If it cracks as you are rolling it, just keep rolling it carefully. Cracks can easily be covered up with the buttercream filling which is added inside the cake and on the outside.

My glaze hardened while waiting for the cake to cool. How do I fix it?

If your chocolate glaze hardens, just gently warm it up on the stove or microwave until it’s pourable.

How long does chocolate swiss roll cake keep?

I like to store this cake in the refrigerator. Keep it covered and it will keep for up to three to four days.

Can it be frozen?

You can also freeze the cake, firm up the chocolate by refrigerating the cake for approximately 30-60 minutes, then wrap it in plastic then again in foil, place in a freezer safe bag, it will keep for up to two months in the freezer.

A slice of cake on a white plate drizzled with chocolate.

The tender chocolate cake rolled up with the light and fluffy filling is the perfect match. The chocolate glaze adds the finishing touch! Give this chocolate swiss roll cake a try and you will love it – it’s perfect any time of year. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Holidays. Enjoy!