Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake Recipe

Byreem everly
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Introduction

Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake is a festive and delicious dessert featuring a light, fluffy vanilla sponge rolled with creamy filling. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings and can be decorated beautifully to add festive cheer to your table.

A yellow sponge cake rolled into a spiral with a thick layer of white cream filling inside that has small red and green bits mixed in, topped with a smooth white icing layer decorated with red, green, and white sprinkles across the surface. Two small red round candies sit on top near the back of the roll. The roll is placed on a dark wooden board set on a white marbled texture surface. In the background, some out-of-focus gold and white Christmas ornaments and green pine needles are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)
  • Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries) – optional, for decoration
  • Mint leaves – optional, for decoration
  • Additional powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 5–7 minutes, until thick and pale. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula, taking care not to deflate the batter.
  4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
  5. Step 5: Remove the cake from the oven and immediately invert it onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
  6. Step 6: Starting from one short end, roll the cake up with the towel inside. Let it cool completely while rolled, about 30 minutes.
  7. Step 7: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  8. Step 8: Gently unroll the cooled cake from the towel. Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface.
  9. Step 9: Carefully roll the cake back up without the towel, starting from the short end.
  10. Step 10: Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
  11. Step 11: Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar and decorate with fresh berries and mint leaves if desired. Slice and enjoy chilled.

Tips & Variations

  • For a chocolate twist, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
  • Try citrus zest like lemon or orange in the batter for a fresh flavor.
  • Substitute the whipped cream filling with flavored mascarpone cheese or fruit compote for variety.
  • Decorate with edible glitter or chocolate shavings for extra festive appeal.

Storage

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat is not recommended; serve chilled for best texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A light yellow sponge cake rolled into a spiral shape with a thick white cream layer swirled inside that contains small bits of red and green festive sprinkles. The outside of the roll is covered in smooth white frosting, topped with red, green, and white sprinkles, and decorated with two whole red round candies placed on the top. The cake rests on a wooden board on a white marbled surface in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake one day in advance and assemble it just before serving to keep the filling fresh.

What can I serve with this cake?

This roll cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or an extra dollop of whipped cream for a richer dessert experience.

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Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 63 reviews

Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake is a festive, light, and fluffy vanilla sponge cake rolled with a creamy whipped cream filling. This elegant dessert is perfect for holiday gatherings and is decorated with powdered sugar, fresh berries, and mint leaves to add a touch of festive cheer.

  • Author: reem
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration (Optional):

  • Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)
  • Mint leaves
  • Additional powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the batter.
  2. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and immediately invert it onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
  3. Roll the Cake: Starting from one short end, roll the cake up with the towel inside. Allow it to cool completely while rolled, about 30 minutes.
  4. Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  5. Assemble the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, gently unroll it from the towel. Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake. Carefully roll the cake back up without the towel, starting from the short end.
  6. Chill and Decorate: Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set. Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar and decorate with fresh berries and mint leaves if desired.
  7. Serve: Slice the cake into pieces and serve chilled for a delightful festive dessert.

Notes

  • The cake must be inverted immediately after baking to prevent cracking during rolling.
  • Be gentle folding the flour into the egg mixture to keep the batter airy.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely while rolled to hold its shape.
  • You can add cocoa powder or citrus zest for flavor variations.
  • Whipped cream can be substituted with flavored mascarpone or fruit compote for a different filling.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Make ahead by preparing the cake one day before and assembling just before serving.

Keywords: Christmas cake, vanilla roll cake, festive dessert, sponge cake, whipped cream filling, holiday dessert

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