Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
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This Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake Recipe is a show stopping, ridiculously sweet and rich dessert that will blow your socks off!
Swiss Roll
Have you ever made a swiss roll before? They used to give me heart palpitations. Like, forreals.
But then I made one and got over that fear real quick. This dessert is seriously fancy, but no one tells you these are so so easy to make. Bakers are LIARS!
If you follow the recipe directions, things tend to work out. And even if they don’t, cover the whole thing in frosting and sprinkles. No one has to know!!
If you’ve never made a swiss roll cake before, I assure you it’s not as hard as you think. You can and will make this and proceed to eat the whole thing.
You’re welcome.
I made my roll cake based on the little Debbie swiss rolls, but used real ingredients, made the frosting extra rich with dark chocolate and topped the whole thing with sprinkles…because deep down, I’m a 6-year-old girl. #truth
How to Make Swiss Roll Cake
For the Cake
I got this chocolate swiss roll cake recipe from Hershey’s Chocolate Mousse Cake Roll but the filling and frosting are my own recipes.
Start by whipping some egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form. Scrape those out into a bowl and set aside. Easy enough, right?
In the same *dirty* bowl, whip up some egg yolks and more sugar…
until it turns pale yellow. When you drizzle it back into the bowl, it should fall back on itself.
Ok, my peeps. Now, gather and measure out your dry ingredients.
Stir it all together to combine. I use a fork so it faux sifts it all together. I suppose you could actually sift it but what can I say….I’m lazy.
ANYWAYS, alternate adding in the dry ingredients with a little water until all the ingredients are incorporated.
Like so! Scrape the sides and mix again briefly until the batter is chocolaty and smooth.
Plop those stiff egg whites back into the batter and fold in gently.
Now, pour the batter into a jelly roll pan that is well greased. I lined my pan with parchment paper and sprayed it well with nonstick cooking spray. Anything to avoid scrubbing pans, ya know?! *Please see lazy comment above.
While that cake is baking away, take a clean kitchen towel and dust with some powdered sugar…about 1/4 cup.
Now! Your cake should be coming out of the oven right about now. Immediately out of the oven, loosen the edges and plop it out onto the prepared kitchen towel. Peel back that parchment and roll up.
Voila! Let this cool to room temp; about 30 minutes. –>it’s a pretty skinny cake so this shouldn’t take too long.
For the Filling
For the filling, we’re basically going to make buttercream laced with plenty o’ marshmallow creme. Whip some softened butter together with powdered sugar and vanilla.
Then add in an entire 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme. Whip it together and add in 1 tablespoon of milk if you think it needs it. THEN, as my friend Claudia would say, whip it like hell for 1 minute to make it light and fluffy and pretty stiff.
Unroll the cake, spread the filling over evenly, then roll it back up again. Wrap it up in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-3 hours. You want that filling to harden, yo.
For the Glaze/Frosting
Melt some dark chocolate chips together with some milk, butter and cocoa powder. Once that’s all melted together, stir in some vanilla and powdered sugar. Voila! It’s done!
Pull that cake roll out of the fridge, unwrap and place on a cooling rack under a baking sheet.
Now comes the best part! Spread your cake roll with the frosting and spread it all around to cover. The back of a spoon works wonders for this part, FYI.
Add on some sprinkles, then refrigerate to solidify the outside before slicing and serving.
If you want a show-stopping, ridiculously sweet and rich dessert, this is your ticket!! It’s a few steps, but really not too difficult at all!! And ohmahgarsh so totally worth it.
Printable recipe card below, enjoy!
Need more recipes like this swiss roll?
- Lemon Pistachio Swiss Roll Cake
- Chocolate Cake Extreme
- Strawberry and Cream Layer Cake
- Banana Cake with Walnuts and Brown Butter Frosting
- The Perfect Chocolate Cake Recipe
Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
Ingredients
for the cake-
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 4 eggs separated
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup water
for the marshmallow filling-
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 7 oz. marshmallow fluff 1 container
- 1 tablespoon milk if needed
for chocolate glaze/frosting-
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 1/3 cup, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
for the cake-
- Heat oven to 375°F. Line 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch jelly-roll pan with foil; generously grease foil. Sprinkle linen or thin cotton towel with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
- Beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form; gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks and vanilla in medium bowl on medium speed of mixer 3 minutes. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar; continue beating 2 additional minutes.
- Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to egg yolk mixture alternately with water, beating on low speed just until batter is smooth. Gradually fold chocolate mixture into beaten egg whites until well blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan; invert onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off foil. Immediately roll cake and towel together starting from narrow end; place on a wire rack to cool completely.
for the marshmallow filling-
- Stir butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together to start incorporating. Add in the marshmallow fluff and whip it good for 1 minute. Scrape sides and stir again briefly. If you think it's too thick, add in 1 tablespoon milk.
- Unroll cooled cake, spread the frosting evenly across the entire thing, then roll up again gently. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-3 hours until the filling firms up. While cooling prepare the chocolate frosting.
for chocolate glaze/frosting-
- Melt butter, chocolate chips, cocoa, and milk together in a small pot over low heat. Once everything has melted together, remove from heat then stir in powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Once the swiss roll is cooled remove plastic wrap and place cake roll onto a cooling rack with foil underneath to catch any drips.
- Pour warm frosting over cake, using the back of the spoon to spread gently, covering every exposed part of the cake. Top with sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate 20-30 minutes until frosting has firmed up.
- Slice into pieces and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Fun Recipes From My Blogging Friends:
- Funfetti Cookie Dough Balls from Averie Cooks
- Cake Batter Funfetti Cookies from Diethood
- Cake Batter Popcorn from I Heart Naptime
- Confetti Cookie Milkshake from Bake Your Day
- Cake Batter Ice Cream Balls from Oh, Sweet Basil
- Frosted Sugar Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking
- Peanut Butter Filled Doughnuts from Crazy For Crust
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
- Shirley Temple from Damn Delicious
- Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies from Cooking Classy
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from The Messy Baker
- Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars from Handle the Heat
- Vanilla Banana Muffins from Love From the Oven
- Homemade Funfetti Yellow Birthday Cake from Ambitious Kitchen
- Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
Lauren!!!!! I am BLOWN AWAY this morning! I’m almost in tears reading every wonderful word all of my favorite bloggers wrote about me. Honestly, so so touched. I can’t thank you enough for all the sweet words and holy moly, it’s about time I get on the swiss roll cake bandwagon. You’re inspiring me to try it myself. And of course I’m lovin’ all these sprinkles! You are the BEST. xoxo
This is so sweet! And you made swiss rolls seem so easy!
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
Blogging friends really are the best, who else can really get what we do?! I would loooove a big slice of this cake roll.
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest // Funfetti Cookie Dough Balls from Averie Cooks // Cake Batter Funfetti cookies from Diethood // Cake Batter Popcorn from I Heart Naptime // Confetti Cookie Milkshake from Bake Your Day // Cake Batter Ice Cream Balls from Oh, Sweet Basil // Frosted Sugar Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking // Peanut Butter Filled Doughnuts from Crazy For Crust // Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups from Crunchy Creamy Sweet // Shirley Temple from Damn Delicious // Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies from Cooking Classy // Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from The Messy Baker // Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars from Handle the Heat // Vanilla Banana Muffins from Love From the Oven // Homemade Funfetti Yellow Birthday Cake from Ambitious Kitchen // Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel […]
They are so much easier than I ever thought too. This reminds me – it’s been awhile since I made one!! Pinned!
This post had me cracking up all morning! I love the way your write..and you hit the nail on the head. I’ve never made a roll cake since they always looked like too much effort (can you tell I’m also lazy 😀 ). But I guess I should get my butt in gear and make this one as it sounds AMAZING!
I just want to say that Sally’s blog is my absolute favorite, and she has inspired me to become more involved in my kitchen (even though she doesn’t know it). I’ve also found so many awesome bloggers through her, and I just want to say that while I may be quite, I really enjoy your blog as well!
I’ve always been scared to try to make a roll cake, but your directions and photos make it seem like something I can accomplish. Looks delish!
This looks SO good Lauren! Who knew a cake roll could be that easy? LOVE it!
Made this as my first cake ever… the roll broke. It wasn’t cooled by the time the filling was finished, so I waited a bit but I guess I didn’t wait long enough. The amount of filling was way more than needed. From the photos, it looks like the size of the jelly roll pan used was a lot different from mine? The cake in the photos looks a lot less than 1″? I left out most of the sugar in the frosting and it’s still crazy sweet.
I have the same roll-cake-fear! It always turns out, thankfully, but it’s nerve wrecking! Yours is absolutely gorgeous!! That glaze sounds crazy-good!!!
My family would go crazy for this cake!
I am intimidated by cake rolls. I want to make one, but yes, I’m timid. But this looks sooooo good. Growing up just 30 minutes from the Little Debbie Factory, we were always well stocked with oatmeal cream pies, nutty bars, fudge rounds, and of course, swiss cake rolls! Pinning!!
Gorgeous! I wish we could have the real shower and have a slice of your cake, Lauren!
I have always wanted to make a cake roll, but totally desire to fill it with ice cream! Any pointers on that? Thanks for your post – I think I’ll actually step out of the box and attempt this!!
Now this is a chocolate lovers dream Lauren! 😀
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest Funfetti Cookie Dough Balls from Averie Cooks Cake Batter Funfetti Cookies from Diethood Cake Batter Popcorn from I Heart Naptime Confetti Cookie Milkshake from Bake Your Day Cake Batter Ice Cream Balls from Oh, Sweet Basil Frosted Sugar Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking Peanut Butter Filled Doughnuts from Crazy For Crust Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups from Crunchy Creamy Sweet Shirley Temple from Damn Delicious Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies from Cooking Classy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from The Messy Baker Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars from Handle the Heat Vanilla Banana Muffins from Love From the Oven Homemade Funfetti Yellow Birthday Cake from Ambitious Kitchen Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel […]
What a gorgeous looking cake roll!! I would love to dive headfirst into a giant slice of sprinkle goodness!!!
ohhhhhhh man, yes! love love love this!!
Hi Lauren! I just stumbled upon your chocolate swiss roll cake you baked for Sally’s virtual bridal shower. Awesome recipe, I’d love to grab a slice through the screen right now! I’m a huge fan of Sally since I started blogging and I actually discovered your beautiful culinary world thanks to her. I’m glad I know you 🙂 Cheers from the French girl behind Del’s cooking twist!
I’ve been dreaming of Swiss roll cakes lately – you just knocked it outta the park!!
This looks amazing! I loved swiss cake rolls as a child and I know I would love this homemade version!
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest Funfetti Cookie Dough Balls from Averie Cooks Cake Batter Funfetti Cookies from Diethood Cake Batter Popcorn from I Heart Naptime Confetti Cookie Milkshake from Bake Your Day Cake Batter Ice Cream Balls from Oh, Sweet Basil Frosted Sugar Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking Peanut Butter Filled Doughnuts from Crazy For Crust Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups from Crunchy Creamy Sweet Shirley Temple from Damn Delicious Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies from Cooking Classy Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from The Messy Baker Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars from Handle the Heat Vanilla Banana Muffins from Love From the Oven Homemade Funfetti Yellow Birthday Cake from Ambitious Kitchen Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel […]
I’m dying for a bite of this!
Oh goodness, this looks SO fantastic!! Cake rolls make me nervous for some reason. I need to get over it!
I am a pro when it comes to making pumpkin roll for Thanksgiving, same idea of rolling the cake, so I will have to try out this cake roll! My son will love the chocolate, he loves Swiss Rolls, and he has his 9th bday coming up on the 26th so perhaps something other than a traditional cake. Hmmm…thanks for the inspiration!
This looks so wonderful! I’m not sure I could stop at once piece!
Is it hard to “roll the cake”? Does it crack? I wonder what would happen if you made the cake a day ahead (keeping it rolled in the kitchen towel) and filled the next day?
[…] post from my friends to see what else we are serving today during this virtual bridal shower! Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
[…] https://laurenslatest.com/chocolate-swiss-roll-cake/ […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
Hi, Lauren I have been wanting to try your Swiss Roll Cake. When I click on the link to Hershey’s Chocolate Cake it says error page?
[…] (and eating way too much cake in the process), I decided to not make it again and send you over to this post which is a chocolate swiss roll cake. Even though it’s a different recipe, it shows you the […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake | Lauren's Latest August 6, 2014 at 3:02 AM Reply […]
Where is the recipe for the chocolate cake?
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake Recipe […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake (with a new filling I’m testing!) […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake Recipe […]
[…] Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest […]
This looks amazing. I am going to have to figure out an occasion to make it for!
Can you clarify the amounts of sugar needed? The amount called for is left out of the recipe, but your instructions say to add the sugar in two separate amounts. Help! We are trying to make it right now.
Can’t rate it for real because I don’t know what it will turn out like. Just like Sherry, I noticed NO GRANULATED SUGAR listed with ingredients. Followed directions, instead. Confusing!
Same here! I am making this for my son’s birthday and it looks pretty but I am afraid it isn’t going to turn out because there is clearly something lost in translation 🙁