This Old Fashioned Jelly Roll is a nostalgic dessert that features a light, airy sponge cake filled with your favorite jelly and rolled into a spiral. Known for its delicate texture and elegant presentation, this cake became popular in mid-20th century American kitchens where rolled cakes symbolized both skill and charm. The use of Swan’s Down Cake Flour ensures a fine crumb, while the warm jelly spread over the just-baked sponge makes rolling easy and flavorful. This treat is a timeless classic, perfect for tea time or holiday dessert tables.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cake flour (sifted )
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar (sifted )
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup jelly (any flavor)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Flour Mixture
- Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift once more for extra lightness.
Step 2: Beat Eggs and Sugar
- Place 4 eggs in a large bowl over warm water. Beat with rotary egg beater, gradually adding sugar. Continue beating until thick, light-colored, and tripled in volume.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
- Remove bowl from water. Fold in sifted dry ingredients and vanilla extract gently to preserve airiness.
Step 4: Bake
- Line a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan with greased paper. Pour batter evenly into the pan and smooth the top.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 13 minutes.
Step 5: Roll the Cake
- Immediately trim crisp edges. Invert onto a clean towel dusted with powdered sugar. Remove paper.
- Roll cake up in the towel and let cool slightly.
Step 6: Fill and Finish
- Unroll, spread evenly with jelly, and re-roll. Let cool completely seam side down. Slice and serve.
Tips
- Dust a clean towel generously with powdered sugar to prevent sticking when rolling.
- Spread the jelly while the cake is still warm for easier rolling and better absorption.
- Use any flavor of jelly (raspberry, strawberry, currant, apricot) for different results.
- Add a thin layer of whipped cream before spreading the jelly for a richer roll.
- Sift flour before measuring to ensure a light, airy sponge.
- To prevent cracking, roll the cake immediately when it comes out of the oven.
- For a festive look, dust the finished roll with powdered sugar before serving.
- Replace jelly with lemon curd, chocolate spread, or sweetened cream cheese for variations.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for warm spice flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
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