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    Home » Recipes » Classic Cake Recipes

    Swiss Roll

    Published: Jun 1, 2022 · Modified: Mar 20, 2023 by Libby Hakim · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Perfect for parties or to add to your trifle, Swiss Roll is a light and fluffy sponge cake that can be filled with jam, cream or whatever you please.

    This easy-to-follow recipe creates two homemade Swiss Rolls. Enjoy one now and pop the other in the freezer for later!

    Swiss Roll Recipe

    This recipe comes from the pages of Nana Ling's "Mums Recipe book" which I believe dates back to the 1920s.

    This little recipe book was published at the time to "make more widely known the merits of Mums Cream of Tartar Baking Powder" and contains "full directions for the preparation of appetising dishes for all occasions."

    Swiss Roll Ingredients

    To make these Swiss Roll sponge rolls you'll need:

    • 5 eggs
    • 1 cup sugar (caster or white)
    • 125 grams plain flour (all purpose flour) (1 cup, sifted first)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon warm water.

    You'll also need some additional things to roll and fill the sponges:

    • 2 tablespoons caster sugar
    • 200 grams strawberry jam or thickened cream (or both)
    • 1 tablespoon icing sugar.

    Swiss Roll Tins

    To make Swiss Rolls you'll need special tins. The tins are designed to bake a thin, rectangular sponge cake and have slightly raised edges (about 2 to 3cm) and dimensions of about 23 x 33cm.

    To make this recipe you need two tins. Grease and line with baking paper.

    Making Swiss Rolls

    First, pre-heat your oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius).

    Next, beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the sugar gradually, continuing to beat between each addition.

    Whisk egg yolks together with the warm water before adding to the mixture and beating again until well combined.

    Sift the flour together with baking powder and salt. Fold into mixture gradually until combined.

    Add half of the mixture to each tin and smooth out to edges.

    Bake for 10-12 minutes then allow cakes to cool in tin for 10 minutes.

    Sprinkle two sheets of baking paper (slightly larger than the swiss roll tins) with caster sugar.

    Carefully flip the warm sponge onto the baking paper sheets (and peel away the baking paper the sponges were cooked in).

    Use the baking paper to roll the sponges up firmly and leave to cool completely.

    When the sponges are cool, unroll gently.

    Spread the jam or cream (or both) filling evenly over the surface of the sponge, leaving a gap of about 5 cm at one end. Slowly roll the sponges up again.

    Serve with the open edges on the bottom to keep the sponges tightly rolled. Dust with icing sugar.

    Swiss Roll FAQs

    Q. Why is a Swiss Roll called a Swiss Roll?

    It's not clear, as it seems the Swiss Roll did not actually originate in Switzerland! In fact, central Europe, the UK and the US all claim a part in this recipe.

    Q. What is a Swiss Roll Tin?

    A Swiss Roll Tin is designed to bake a thin, rectangular sponge cake and has a slightly raised edge (about 2 to 3cm) and dimensions of about 23 x 33cm.

    Q. Do you roll the sponge up from the longer or shorter side?

    You can roll it up either way, depending on your preferences.

    Q. Can I freeze a Swiss Roll?

    Yes. Freeze it rolled up without the filling and then fill once thawed. Freeze for up to 6 months.

    Q. What else can I use as a filling for Swiss Roll?

    Apart from jam and cream, you could fill with chocolate ganache, lemon curd or passionfruit curd.

    Q. What is the difference between Swiss Roll and Roulade?

    A roulade is any dish made from food rolled into the shape of a cylinder and can be sweet or savoury. A Swiss Roll is always sweet and is generally a rolled sponge cake filled with jam, whipped cream, or another sweet filling.

    swiss roll.

    Swiss Roll

    Libby Hakim
    A lovely, nostalgia-infused treat that you can customise with your favourite filling.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 18 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 28 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Australian, British, European
    Servings 12 slice
    Calories 185 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 swiss roll tins (23 x 33 x 2-3cm)

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 eggs
    • 1 cup sugar (caster or white)
    • 125 grams plain flour (all purpose flour) (1 cup, sifted first)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon warm water

    Filling

    • 2 tablespoons caster sugar
    • 200 grams strawberry jam or thickened cream (or both)
    • 1 tablespoon icing sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Grease two swiss roll tins (23 x 33 x 2-3cm) and line with baking paper.
    • Pre-heat oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius).
    • Beat egg whites until stiff.
    • Add sugar gradually, continuing to beat between each addition.
    • Whisk egg yolks together with the warm water.
    • Add egg yolks to mixture and beat again until well combined.
    • Sift flour together with baking powder and salt. Fold into mixture gradually until combined.
    • Add half of the mixture to each tin and smooth out to edges.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
    • Allow cakes to cool in tin for 10 minutes.

    Rolling and filling

    • Sprinkle two sheets of baking paper (slightly larger than the swiss roll tins) with caster sugar.
    • Carefully flip the warm sponge onto the baking paper sheets (and peel away the baking paper the sponges were cooked in).
    • Use the baking paper to roll the sponges up firmly and leave to cool completely.
    • When the sponges are cool, unroll gently. Spread the jam or cream (or both) filling evenly over the surface of the sponge, leaving a gap of about 5 cm at one end. Slowly roll the sponges up again.
    • Serve with the open edges on the bottom to keep the sponges tightly rolled. Dust with icing sugar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 81mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

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    Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

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