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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Swiss Roll

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Swiss Roll

A swiss roll is the same thing as a jelly roll: a thin sponge cake that is rolled up into a spiral and filled with a sweet filling of some kind. The cake itself is simple and plain. Unlike butter cakes, which tend to crack or crumble when they are handled a lot, this type of sponge cake is very pliable. It is easy to roll and re-roll the cake, spreading fillings onto it without tearing into the body of the cake. I use pretty much the same recipe every time I make a jelly roll because it turns out cakes that are soft, easy to work with and very consistent.

Jam is one of the most common jelly-roll fillings because it adds flavor, sweetness and some extra moisture to the cake. Whipped cream is probably the second most common filling. Anything from softened ice cream to chocolate mousse can be used, as well. For this cake, I turned it into a play on chocolate covered strawberries. I used both a cream cheese filling and a layer of strawberry jam in the center of the cake, and finished it off with a generous layer of chocolate ganache.  The effect – because of the large cake component here – is somewhere between strawberry shortcake and chocolate covered strawberries, with just a hint of cheesecake.

The cake is fairly easy to assemble. The swiss roll sponge itself is very easy to handle when it is hot from the oven. Once it has cooled completely, it can be unrolled and a room temperature cream cheese filling can be spread inside. I spread my layer of strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese, although you could also mix the two or swirl them together. The chocolate ganache is simply poured over the cake.

The edges of the sponge cake might be slightly firm after baking. You can trim these before filling the cake, or, as I like to do, after the cake has been filled to give it a neat and even spiral.

I think that this cake is best served the day it was made, once the ganache has set (you can see a bit of chocolate smearing in the photo from the cake not being quite set). If you do need to make it in advance, make and fill the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight – I wouldn’t wait longer, or the cake might dry out some – and bring it t room temperature and top it with ganache before serving.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Swiss Roll
Swiss Roll
4 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup cake flour, sifted
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400F.
Line a 15 by 10 by 1-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until light, about 2-3 mintues. Gradually add in the sugar, followed by the vanilla and vegetable oil, and mix until fully combined. Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt into the yolk mixture and beat in on low speed until just combined.
Quickly clean and dry beaters well, then beat the egg whites to soft peaks in a medium sized bowl.
Gently stir 1/2 of the egg whites into the flour mixture, then fold in the rest of the whites until the batter is uniform. Pour into prepared pan and spread into the corners
Bake at 400F for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cake is golden and springs back when lightly touched.

While the cake is baking, dust a large dish towel with powdered sugar.
When cake comes out of the oven, loosen edges of cake, then place the sugared towel on top of the cake (yes, some will come off), then invert the pan so the cake comes out onto the towel (the whole thing should be lying on a table or counter at this point). Trim off the edges with a sharp knife if they are overly browned or hard. Sprinkle more powdered sugar on top of the cake
Beginning with the short side, roll cake and towel up together. Place towel-wrapped cake on a wire rack and let cool completely.

Strawberry and Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
approx. 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberry jam or jelly

Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla together until light and spreadable, adding additional confectioners’ sugar if necessary.
When cake is cool, gently unwrap it and spread the inside with the cream cheese filling. Gently spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on top of the cream cheese layer. Re-roll and place on a serving platter. Some filling may ooze out during rolling, if so, just scrape off the excess to keep the plate clean.

Chocolate Ganache Glaze
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Melt chocolate chips and butter together in a medium bowl, working in short intervals in the microwave and stirring frequenly. When glaze is smooth, pour a small amount onto the cake and gently spread it into an even layer. Pour the rest of the chocolate on and smooth it into a thick, even layer (the first coat helps to keep things evenly spread). Let cake set out for at least 2 hours to allow the glaze to set up.

Serves 8-10

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9 Comments
  • Anamika
    September 12, 2008

    Ney Nicloe
    I simply loved this chocolate covered strawberry swiss roll…simply delicious and picture is great !

  • Paula Smith
    September 13, 2008

    Great Recipe

  • Sara
    September 13, 2008

    Your cake looks great! I’ve always wanted to make a swiss roll, but I’ve always been a little intimidated.

  • Sara
    September 13, 2008

    Your cake looks great! I’ve always wanted to make a swiss roll, but I’ve always been a little intimidated.

  • giz
    September 13, 2008

    Looks great, sounds easy – my total nemesis. I’m going to have to try your recipe. I almost feel like the little engine that could.

  • giz
    September 13, 2008

    Looks great, sounds easy – my total nemesis. I’m going to have to try your recipe. I almost feel like the little engine that could.

  • Aim
    September 14, 2008

    Ohh, I am drooling. I must try this recipe!!!

  • Crystel
    February 8, 2009

    This looks absolutely fantastic! I plan on making it this weekend. I was wondering, though, if I want to make a chocolate sponge cake, would it be best to use cocoa powder or melted cocoa bars?

  • olivia
    March 31, 2011

    hmm love this chocolate strawberry roll…

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