Jump to Recipe

This raspberry roll cake is made with moist chocolate sponge cake, decadent cream, and fresh raspberries. Nail the shape with a simple kitchen trick!

Raspberry chocolate cake roll on a plate.

This raspberry roll cake is like chocolate-covered fruit in cake form. The rich, chocolate sponge cake is perfectly balanced by the tart and tangy fresh raspberries. I love making it for my hubby on Valentine’s Day because it’s just so darn romantic!

Roll cakes might look super technical to make, but they’re actually quite simple to assemble. With a little kitchen trick to nail the shape, you’ll impress your guests with such a pretty presentation, while also expanding your skills in the kitchen. Learning that tastes delicious…what’s not to love?!

How Do You Form a Perfect Roll Cake?

Here’s a foolproof technique to getting a perfect spiral cake that anyone can master.

  • Once the cake comes out of the oven, immediately place a clean kitchen towel over it.
  • Grab the bottom of the parchment paper or silicone baking mat on the short side and begin to roll the cake up with the towel, gently folding it as you go.
  • Place the cake seam side down on the counter and allow it to cool completely before you unravel and frost it. If you rush to unroll before it’s cooled, it will stick to the towel and break apart.

How to Make Raspberry Roll Cake

Making this raspberry roll cake requires under 10 ingredients and just a little technical skill. Below, find a rundown of the recipe before you get to baking.

  • Make the Cake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture doubles in volume. In a separate bowl, use a fine-mesh sieve to sift the flour and cacao together. In thirds, fold in the flour to the egg mixture with a spatula.
  • Bake & Roll the Sponge Cake: Spread the batter onto a lined rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan and bake for 12 minutes. Place a kitchen towel over the cake and roll it up short-side first. Place it seam side down and allow it to cool at room temperature.
  • Make the Cake Cream: Unroll the cake and spread the mashed raspberries over it. While the raspberries are soaking into the cake, beat the confectioner’s sugar, cacao, and cold heavy whipping cream together until stiff peaks form. Spread a thick layer of the cream over the fresh raspberries.
  • Assemble the Cake: Roll the cake back up and use the remaining cream to frost the outside. Decorate the cake with fresh raspberries, chocolate ganache, and a dusting of cacao. Refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy!
Why ingredients added to the whisked eggs
Cake batter on a baking sheet.
Rolled up sponge cake.
Cake cream in a mixing bowl.
Rolled up cake cake roll.

Tips & Tricks

Here you’ll find a handful of tips and tricks to help you nail this raspberry roll cake recipe.

  • Allow the roll cake to cool completely before unraveling it. To prevent the roll cake from sticking to the towel and breaking apart, allow it to cool completely at room temperature before you attempt to unravel it.
  • Use a silicone baking mat. A silicone baking mat will not only save you money on parchment paper, but it will also make it so much easier to roll the cake up. It’s sturdier and easier to grip.
  • Use extra cold heavy whipping cream. Extra cold heavy whipping cream makes for the fluffiest cake cream. Why? Cold dairy emulsifies better. If you have to, stick the heavy whipping cream in the freezer for 5 minutes before you whip it.
  • Keep the cake refrigerated. Keep the cake refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it. This will help it continue to develop its flavor, while also making it more sturdy.
Decorated Raspberry chocolate cake roll on a plate.

Storage Tips

Whether you have a portion of your cake to store in the refrigerator or want to freeze it whole, find all the top storage tips here.

  • Refrigerator: The best way to store leftover roll cake is in an airtight cake container in the fridge. This will keep it from soaking up any lingering smells in your refrigerator, while also preventing it from getting damaged in between snacking. It should stay fresh for up to a week.
  • Freezer: If you don’t plan to eat the roll cake within a week, freeze it whole. To do so, place the cake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop the sheet in the freezer uncovered. Once completely frozen, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and store it for up to 1 month. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight.

FAQ

Can I use jam instead of fresh raspberries?

You can use raspberry jam instead of fresh raspberries, but the flavor will be a bit different and slightly sweeter.

Can I use this same batter to make a cake versus a roll?

Yes, the same batter can be used to make a traditional cake versus a roll. Swap out the baking sheet for a round cake pan and you’re set!

Why does this cake not call for baking powder or baking soda?

This roll cake doesn’t call for any baking powder or baking soda because the eggs make it ultra fluffy.

Can I freeze this cake whole?

Yes, this roll cake is perfect for freezing and can be kept on hand for up to 1 month.

How long does this roll cake last in the fridge?

This raspberry roll cake lasts up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

More Decadent Chocolate Cakes

Recipe

A slice of Raspberry chocolate cake roll on a plate.

Raspberry Chocolate Roll Cake (Crazy Easy)

Print Pin
Servings
24 servings
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This raspberry roll cake is made with moist chocolate sponge cake, decadent cream, and fresh raspberries. Nail the shape with a simple kitchen trick!

Ingredients

Cream

Decoration

  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
US Units – Metric

Instructions

Cake Roll

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare ingredients for the cake.
    Ingredients for chocolate sponge cake roulette
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture doubles in volume.
    Eggs in a mixing bowl
  • In a separate bowl, sift the flour and cacao together.
    Dry ingredients in a bowl
  • In thirds, fold the flour into the egg mixture with a spatula just until well-combined. Be extra careful not to over mix the dough.
    Why ingredients added to the whisked eggs
  • Spread the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (10" X 15" is a perfect size). Bake for 12 minutes.
    Cake batter on a baking sheet.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and place a kitchen towel over it. Starting with the shorter side, roll up the cake into a spiral.
    Raspberry Chocolate Roll being rolled with a towel placed on top of the sponge cake
  • Let the roll cool completely at room temperature.
    Rolled up sponge cake.

Filling & Topping

  • Unroll the cake and discard the parchment paper. Spread the mashed raspberries over the cake and let them soak into the cake while you work on the cream.
    Mashed raspberries applied to cake.
  • Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the powdered sugar, cacao, and extra cold heavy whipping cream together until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
    Cream ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Spread a thick layer of cream over the raspberries and roll the cake back up.
  • Using the remaining cake cream, frost the entire outside of the cake. Decorate it as you wish with fresh raspberries, chocolate, and cacao.
    Rolled up cake cake roll.
  • Keep the cake refrigerated until you're ready to serve it. Slice and enjoy!
    A slice of Decorated Raspberry chocolate cake roll on a plate.
Nutrition Facts
Raspberry Chocolate Roll Cake (Crazy Easy)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Trans Fat 0.004g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 18mg1%
Potassium 102mg3%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 201IU4%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted June 22, 2022

About Author

Avatar photo

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.