Whether you call it a Swiss Roll, a Chocolate Jelly Roll or simply a Chocolate Roll Cake, this chocolate sponge cake filled with creamy marshmallow filling and topped with a chocolate ganache is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion!

Cherry Chocolate Roll Cake Recipe

I actually wasn’t planning on sharing this recipe – it was supposed to be my “practice attempt” for making a Christmas Yule Log, but it turned out so pretty and fun that I figured “why not?!”

This is a classic chocolate roll recipe with chopped cherries in the marshmallow cream filling and a shiny chocolate ganache poured over top, along with a generous amount of chocolate shavings, for good measure. I’ve always called these “Swiss rolls” because that’s what they are called in grocery stores here, but there’s nothing Swiss about them!

Now, if you’re looking for a yule log that looks more, well, log-like – I have one of those coming up soon.

I know that roll cakes can be a little intimidating, so I am also sharing our video for my Pecan Pie Cake Roll – so while some of the steps differ from this recipe, it will be helpful for showing you some of the steps for making a roll cake (like rolling the flat cake in a floured towel while warm to prevent cracking).

Chocolate Roll Cake Ingredients

For the Swiss Roll

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder plus 3 Tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons oil

For the Filling

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 oz marshmallow fluff
• 1 cup powdered icing sugar
• 2-3 Tablespoons cream or milk
• 1/2 cup cherries, optional

For the ganache:

• 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 35%
• 1 Tablespoon butter

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Jelly Roll pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Sieve/sifter
• Cooling rack
• Clean kitchen towel

How to Make a Chocolate Roll Cake

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Yield: 1 cake, 8 servings

Chocolate Roll Cake

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Prep Time 35 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Total Time 48 minutes

Ingredients

For the Swiss Roll

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder plus 3 Tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons oil

For the Filling

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 oz marshmallow fluff
• 1 cup powdered icing sugar
• 2-3 Tablespoons cream or milk
• 1/2 cup cherries, optional

For the ganache:

• 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 35%
• 1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions

For the Chocolate Sponge Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 10" x 15" jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup cocoa, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and oil.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until just incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 11-13 minutes or until the top is fully set and springs back when you touch it.
6. Place a large piece of parchment paper (or clean kitchen towel larger than the jelly roll pan) on the counter. Dust with remaining 3 tablespoons cocoa powder.
7. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, carefully invert it onto the parchment paper on the counter.
8. Remove the pan and peel off the parchment paper that lined the pan. Roll the cake & parchment paper/towel dusted with cocoa. Set aside to cool as you prepare the frosting.

For the Marshmallow Frosting:

1. Beat the butter for two minutes then add in the marshmallow fluff.
2. Beat in the powdered sugar, then the cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is thick. (Add in a little more powdered sugar if it gets too thin.)
3. Mix in cherries, if using.
4. Unroll the cooled cake and add a generous coat of frosting, leaving about 1/2" free of frosting along the edges.
5. Roll the cake back up (without the parchment) and place the seam side down. 
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.

For the Ganache:

1. Add the chocolate, cream, & butter to a heat-proof bowl.
2. Microwave on medium heat for 30-second intervals, stirring between each. When the chocolate is almost melted, whisk until smooth.
3. Place the cake on a wire rack with a cookie sheet underneath to catch the drippings. Pour the ganache over top of the cake roll.
4. Once the ganache stops dripping, place the cake in the fridge to set the ganache.
5. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or chocolate shavings before serving.

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Chocolate roll cakes can look a bit complicated, but once you’ve mastered this recipe once you’ll love making it for guests and any special occasion that warrants a special cake!

For more delicious cake recipes, check out our 24K Gold Cake or our Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.