Magical Christmas Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Delight

Crafting a magical christmas roll cake brings pure holiday joy to your kitchen.

Soft sponge layers whisper festive memories with every delicate slice.

Delightful swirls of creamy filling dance between tender cake surfaces.

Sweet aromas promise warm celebrations and cherished moments together.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this dessert welcomes confident bakers of all skill levels.

Unexpected touches make this classic treat shine bright.

Invite loved ones to savor each delicious, spiraled bite.

Cake Roll That Looks and Tastes Like Christmas Magic

• Effortlessly Impressive: Create a stunning holiday dessert with minimal baking skills, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Holiday Crowd-Pleaser: Versatile roll cake that appeals to all ages, making it an ideal centerpiece for family gatherings and festive celebrations.
• Quick and Delightful: Prepare this delectable treat in under an hour, giving you more time to enjoy the holiday spirit with loved ones.
• Customizable Creativity: Easily adapt the recipe by adding festive decorations, sprinkles, or alternative fillings to match your holiday mood and personal taste.

Christmas Roll Cake Pantry Musts

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Gives structure to the soft cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor.
• Eggs: Creates light and fluffy texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake texture.

• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth and creamy filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream.

• Chocolate Chips: Forms rich and glossy ganache.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create smooth chocolate coating.

Supplementary Ingredients:

• Milk, Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall cake flavor.

• Baking Powder, Salt: Helps cake rise and balances flavors.

Preparation Ingredients:

• Parchment Paper, Clean Towel: Assists with cake rolling and preventing sticking.

Creating a Festive Christmas Roll Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep the Pan

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Grab a jelly roll pan and give it a light coating of grease. Then line the pan with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix the Magical Cake Batter

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

In a separate large bowl, whip the eggs and sugar until they become light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes of energetic whisking. Splash in the vanilla extract and milk, then gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Keep the motion soft to maintain the airiness of the batter.

Step 3: Bake the Chocolate Canvas

Spread the batter evenly across the prepared pan. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. While the cake is still warm, carefully roll it up in a clean kitchen towel, keeping the parchment paper inside. Let it cool completely in this rolled position.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

Grab your mixer and whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft, billowy peaks form. This will be the luxurious heart of your roll cake.

Step 5: Unroll and Fill with Creamy Goodness

Gently unroll the cooled cake. Spread the whipped cream evenly across the surface, then roll the cake back up with its creamy surprise inside.

Step 6: Create the Decadent Chocolate Ganache

Pour heavy cream into a saucepan and heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate chips. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until you have a smooth, glossy ganache.

Step 7: Add the Finishing Touch

Drizzle and spread the ganache over the entire roll cake. Allow it to set for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving your festive masterpiece.

Roll Cake Tips That Make Holiday Baking Shine

• Master the Roll Technique: Carefully roll the warm cake with parchment paper to prevent cracking and create a perfect spiral shape without breaking.
• Cream Consistency Matters: Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form to ensure a light, airy filling that spreads smoothly without deflating.
• Chocolate Ganache Pro Tip: Let the hot cream sit on chocolate chips for exactly 2-3 minutes to create a glossy, smooth ganache without overheating.
• Chilling for Perfection: Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes before serving to help the ganache set and make slicing easier and cleaner.
• Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding peppermint extract to the whipped cream or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive holiday twist.

Keep Christmas Roll Cake Festive and Soft

• Store the Christmas roll cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Carefully wrap the entire roll cake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month to maintain the best quality and texture.
• Remove the cake from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften the ganache and restore its creamy texture.

Christmas Roll Cake Festive Pairings

Perfect Flavor Companions

• Warm Mulled Wine Pairing: Spiced red wine with cinnamon and cloves beautifully complements the rich chocolate roll cake, enhancing its festive warmth and adding a cozy holiday touch.
• Peppermint Mocha Companion: Cool, creamy peppermint mocha creates a delightful contrast with the cake's chocolate ganache, bringing a refreshing minty note that screams Christmas spirit.
• Caramel Espresso Match: Strong espresso with a hint of caramel syrup cuts through the cake's sweetness, providing a sophisticated balance and intensifying the chocolate's deep flavor profile.
• Cranberry Spritzer Accent: Light, tangy cranberry spritzer offers a bright, fruity counterpoint to the dense chocolate roll, cleansing the palate and adding a festive holiday brightness.

Christmas Roll Cake Festive Takes

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Roll: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, ensuring a tender crumb for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Christmas Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and choose dairy-free chocolate for the ganache.
• Low-Sugar Holiday Roll: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining delicious flavor.
• Peppermint Chocolate Variation: Add crushed candy canes to the whipped cream filling and mix peppermint extract into the ganache for a festive winter taste.

FAQs

• What makes this Christmas Roll Cake different from other desserts?

This cake combines rich chocolate sponge with creamy whipped filling and decadent chocolate ganache, creating a festive treat that’s both elegant and delicious.

• Is this cake difficult to make for beginners?

While it looks impressive, the recipe is relatively straightforward. The key is to be gentle when rolling the cake and patient during the cooling process to prevent cracking.

• Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the cake a day ahead. Just keep it refrigerated and add the ganache topping before serving to maintain its fresh texture and appearance.

• How do I prevent the cake from cracking when rolling?

Roll the cake while it’s still warm using a clean kitchen towel, which helps create a flexible texture and prevents breaking. Letting the cake cool completely in the rolled position also helps maintain its shape.

Christmas Roll Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate Christmas roll cake delivers festive joy with each delightful slice. Smooth cream filling and elegant chocolate sponge create a delectable holiday dessert you’ll savor and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk

Dry Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (90 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a jelly roll pan with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for the delicate sponge.
2. Create a light, airy base by whisking eggs and sugar until voluminous and pale, incorporating vanilla and milk to enhance the mixture’s richness.
3. Sift together dry ingredients, gently folding them into the egg mixture to maintain the batter’s delicate texture without deflating the incorporated air.
4. Distribute the batter uniformly across the prepared pan, creating an even layer that will bake into a flexible, thin sponge.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a perfectly cooked cake that’s springy yet not overdone.
6. Immediately after baking, transfer the warm cake onto a clean kitchen towel, rolling it carefully to create the signature spiral shape while preventing cracking.
7. Allow the rolled cake to cool completely, maintaining its cylindrical form and preventing moisture buildup.
8. Whip cream to soft, billowy peaks, blending powdered sugar and vanilla for a light, sweet filling.
9. Gently unroll the cooled cake, spreading the whipped cream in a smooth, even layer that covers the entire surface.
10. Carefully re-roll the cake, encasing the cream filling and creating a seamless spiral.
11. Prepare a luxurious ganache by warming cream and pouring it over chocolate chips, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
12. Drizzle or spread the ganache over the rolled cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides and create an elegant finish.
13. Refrigerate briefly to set the ganache, then slice and serve this festive dessert.

Notes

• Choose a high-quality cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor and more intense color.
• Ensure eggs are at room temperature to create a fluffier, more voluminous cake batter.
• When rolling the cake, use a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and cracking.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend.
• Whip cream just until soft peaks form to maintain a light, airy texture without becoming grainy.
• Create festive variations by adding crushed peppermint or orange zest to the whipped cream filling.
• Cool the cake completely before filling to prevent cream from melting and cake from becoming soggy.
• Store leftover roll cake in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 13g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 100mg