There is something truly magical about a Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe that brightens any holiday gathering. This luscious dessert combines a delicate, fluffy sponge cake rolled effortlessly around a dreamy whipped cream filling studded with fresh, vibrant raspberries. It’s a joyful burst of festive flavor and color, guaranteed to impress your friends and family with both its beauty and taste. Every bite melts in your mouth, balancing light sweetness with a subtle tang from the berries, making this cake roll an irresistible centerpiece for your Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is the first step towards mastering the Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, offering the perfect balance of texture, moisture, and flavor that make this recipe shine.
- 3 eggs: Provide structure and a tender crumb with their rich proteins and fats.
- 3/4 cup sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning for that inviting golden color.
- 2 tablespoons water: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the sugar for a smooth batter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, fragrant notes.
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour: The foundation for your cake’s soft and springy texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Lightens the cake by providing lift during baking.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Perfect for dusting and adding a snowy festive touch.
- 1 cup fresh raspberries: Burst of bright, tart flavor and a beautiful splash of color inside the cake.
- 1 1/2 cups whipped cream: Adds creamy richness and a soft contrast to the cake’s tender crumb.
How to Make Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper to ensure your cake releases easily after baking. This step sets the stage for that perfect, smooth roll.
Step 2: Beat the Eggs Until Thick
In a mixing bowl, whip the eggs at high speed until they become thick, pale, and lemon-colored. This usually takes about 5 minutes. The air you incorporate here is key to the cake’s light texture, so don’t rush it.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Water, and Vanilla
Gradually mix in the sugar, followed by the water and vanilla extract. This ensures your batter stays smooth, and the vanilla’s aromatic warmth infuses evenly throughout.
Step 4: Fold in Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold these into your egg mixture. Take care to mix just until combined so that you maintain maximum fluffiness.
Step 5: Spread Batter and Bake
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the surface carefully. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cake springs back lightly when pressed. This brief baking time helps retain a tender crumb ideal for rolling.
Step 6: Roll the Cake with a Towel
Immediately after baking, invert the cake onto a clean kitchen towel sprinkled evenly with powdered sugar. Peel off the parchment carefully, then roll the cake up in the towel starting from the short side. Let it cool completely like this on a wire rack — this rolling step prevents cracking later.
Step 7: Fill and Re-Roll the Cake
Once cooled, unroll the cake gently. Spread whipped cream evenly over the surface, leaving about one inch from the edges for neat rolling. Press fresh raspberries into the whipped cream, then roll the cake back up without the towel. Lay it seam-side down on a serving platter for that flawless presentation.
Step 8: Finish and Chill
Dust the cake roll with powdered sugar for that snow-kissed look, and add extra whipped cream or raspberries for decoration if you like. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
How to Serve Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten the cake’s festive appearance with a handful of fresh raspberries and a swirl of whipped cream on top. Dusting with powdered sugar adds a delicate, snowy effect that’s perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea or rich hot chocolate. You might also serve a light fruit salad or citrus sorbet alongside to complement the berries and keep the dessert feeling fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform your cake roll into a holiday showstopper by arranging it on a festive plate surrounded by holly leaves or edible gold dust. Slice into generous rounds so each guest experiences the swirl of cream and raspberries in every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator to keep the whipped cream fresh and the cake moist. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake roll by wrapping it securely in foil and placing it in an airtight container. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator for a delicious treat that tastes almost as fresh as the day you made it.
Reheating
Because this dessert contains whipped cream, reheating is not recommended. Instead, serve it chilled for that perfect creamy texture and bright raspberry flavor.
FAQs
Can I use frozen raspberries instead of fresh?
Fresh raspberries are ideal for this recipe because they hold their shape and offer a bright flavor and texture. Frozen raspberries tend to be softer and can release more moisture, which might make the cake soggy. If you use frozen, be sure to thaw and drain them well before adding.
How do I prevent the cake from cracking when rolling?
The key is rolling the cake immediately after baking while it’s still warm and pliable, using a powdered sugar-dusted towel. This pre-shapes the roll, preventing cracks when you fill and roll it again later.
Can I substitute the whipped cream with cream cheese frosting?
You can, but the texture and lightness will differ. Cream cheese frosting is denser and tangier, which some might enjoy, but it may make rolling trickier due to its thickness.
How far in advance can I make the cake roll?
You can prepare the cake roll a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. The flavors meld wonderfully overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert for holiday parties.
What if I don’t have a jelly roll pan?
A baking sheet with a rim around 10×15 inches can work well too. Just make sure to line it with parchment paper and watch your baking time closely since pan thickness affects heat distribution.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe is truly a holiday gem that combines elegance with straightforward preparation. Its beautiful swirl of whipped cream and raspberries inside a tender sponge cake exemplifies festive cheer and comfort. Once you try it, I’m sure it will become a beloved tradition in your holiday baking repertoire. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let the joyful art of baking bring your celebrations to life with this incredible cake roll.
Print
Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll is a light and airy sponge cake filled with fresh raspberries and whipped cream, rolled into a beautiful and delicious dessert perfect for holiday celebrations. The cake features a tender texture, complemented by the sweet-tart raspberries and creamy filling, making it a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting and towel)
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1 1/2 cups whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make rolling easier.
- Beat Eggs: In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs on high speed until thick and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes. This step incorporates air for a light sponge texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually beat in the sugar, water, and vanilla extract, ensuring a smooth, well-mixed batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, then gently fold this mixture into the egg batter to maintain the airiness.
- Spread Batter: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake Cake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched, indicating doneness without overbaking.
- Prepare for Rolling: Lay a clean kitchen towel flat and sprinkle powdered sugar evenly over it to help prevent stickiness during rolling.
- Turn Cake Out: Immediately after baking, turn the cake onto the prepared powdered sugar-dusted towel and carefully peel off the parchment paper.
- Roll Cake to Cool: Roll up the cake in the towel starting from the short side and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps the cake hold its rolled shape.
- Unroll Cake: Once cooled, unroll the cake gently and spread whipped cream over the surface, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Add Raspberries: Gently press fresh raspberries into the whipped cream, distributing evenly for flavor and decoration.
- Final Roll: Carefully roll the cake up again without the towel, starting from the short side to encase the filling inside.
- Set on Platter: Place the cake seam side down on a serving platter to maintain its shape.
- Decorate: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and optionally decorate with additional whipped cream and raspberries for a festive touch.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cake roll until ready to serve to ensure the whipped cream sets and the flavors meld. Enjoy your Christmas Raspberry Cake Roll!
Notes
- Ensure the eggs are beaten sufficiently to create a light and fluffy sponge.
- Handle the cake carefully when peeling off the parchment to avoid tearing.
- Rolling the cake in a towel immediately after baking helps prevent cracking.
- Use fresh raspberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Chilling before serving improves the slice-ability and overall taste.
