Do you know what’s terrifying (and annoying)? Having someone come to do an inspection on your house. We found out last week that since we rent the house we live in, we have to have someone come from the city and do an inspection to make sure everything is in working order. Not only do they have to come inspect the house, they’re also charging us $50 to come look at the house. Totally sweet of them right?
Our house is nice (and normally clean haha) but let me tell you, it really piles on stress to try and keep the house sparkling clean when you know someone is coming to look at every single room and ever single corner of the house. That inspection is today. Argh.
We spent all weekend cleaning (like nervous cleaning) and I’m still freaking out about this guy coming to look at it.
Even making this swiss roll cake was less stressful than waiting for this inspection to happen. haha
So, I’m going to try and take my mind off of the 4 pm appointment I have with this city inspector guy and try to focus on cake….Chocolate “Carrot” Swiss Roll Cake that is.
In the past, I’ve made quite a few “roll cakes” for the blog (and for parties) These included: Chocolate “Pumpkin” Swiss Roll Cakes, Peanut Butter Roll Cakes, Angel Food Cake Pumpkin Rolls and Chocolate Pink Ribbon Swiss Roll Cakes.
I thought it might be fun to try and make a swiss roll cake for Easter too!{Spring…Easter..Whatever}
These swiss roll cakes are so easy but oh my gosh, they’re the prettiest cakes to bring out for dessert!
I’ve got the recipe and a link to the carrot pattern below but here are just a few quick snap shots of how it all goes together!
First you’re going to need to make the first batter (recipe below) and trace the carrots onto wax paper that’s on a baking sheet.
After that, you’re gonna freeze the “carrots” for about 20 or 30 minutes.
Make the second batter (recipe below), cover the carrots and bake the cake!
See that there, that’s what it’ll look like after it’s baked and as you pull the wax paper away from the cake! I love this part!
Fill and roll the cake. Then after that you’ll just trim the edges of the cake!
Place into the fridge for a bit before serving and that’s it!
These little cakes are too cute! I love making them for dessert at home and they’re perfect for fundraisers & bake sales!
Tips:
- Don’t over bake. If you over bake this cake it will crack when you try to roll it. I baked mine for 7 minutes.
- Try different shaped and patterns for your cakes! Hearts, Smiley Faces, Clovers, Gingerbread men! The possibilities are endless!
- Fill and roll the cake while it is still warm!
Chocolate Carrot Swiss Roll Cake
This Chocolate Carrot Swiss Roll Cake is a chocolate sponge cake with super cute mini cake carrots baked right in! Then this "carrot" cake is filled with a cream cheese frosting and rolled up into a giant swiss roll cake!
Ingredients
- FOR THE CARROT AND DOTS PATTERN:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Orange food coloring
- Green food coloring
- FOR CAKE:
- 4 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- FOR FILLING:
- 1 Can of Vanilla Frosting (Or Homemade)
- Wax Paper
- Plastic bag or piping bag
- Baking sheet with edges - mine is about 10x15
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400F.
- In a medium bowl, mix together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup flour and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Mix well.
- Spoon out 1 tablespoon of batter into a small bowl and tint it green. Tint the rest orange.
- Lay the carrot template onto the baking sheet. Cover with wax paper (or parchment paper).
- Scoop the orange batter into a plastic sandwich bag. Cut a small hole into the tip of the bag. Following the carrot template and pipe the carrot onto the wax paper. Also pipe the orange dots. Next spoon the green batter into a plastic sandwich bag. Cut a small hole into the tip of the bag. Pipe green steams onto each carrot.
- Place baking sheet into the freezer. Freeze for 20 minutes.
- While the carrots are freezing, make the chocolate sponge cake batter.
- In the bowl of a mixer combine the egg whites and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix on medium speed until the egg whites form soft peaks. (About 5 minutes)
- In a medium bowl, whisk by hand the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until the eggs yolks are a pale yellow color. Whisk in the 1/4 cup melted butter.
- Fold in the egg whites.
- Fold in the flour and cocoa powder.
- Mix slowly until everything is incorporated.
- Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and carefully spread the chocolate batter over the carrots. Spread the batter evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes. Do not over bake.
- Carefully remove the cooked cake from the oven.
- Working quickly but carefully:
- Lay another piece of wax paper onto a flat surface. Flip the cake over onto the wax paper and carefully peel the wax paper off of the cake revealing the carrots. Flip the cake over again so that the carrots are on the bottom of the cake.
- Spread the filling over the entire cake. Starting on the edge without the carrot, start to roll the cake "jelly roll style".
- Roll until you reach the end. Place the cake on a flat surface with the seam down.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
Awww good luck with the inspection!! Don’t stress too much! This cake would be my stress reliever too 🙂
this is the coolest thing ever!!
Oh my god that is just too awesome
This cake roll is too flippin’ cute! This would be such a huge hit for Easter. Too bad I won’t have the time this year to make it. BTW, I hope your inspection went well. Sure is a good way to get the entire house cleaned. I think I need a home inspection. LOL
This is the cutest, Angie! Did you know that carrot batter part is called cigarette paste? Weird, right? And I’m not sure why. I vote we change the name to stencil paste. Now please may I have a slice of that cake? And I hope the inspection went well! xo
I’m sure your inspection went well…that is super annoying to have to go through that. It’s like having a mother-in-law visit {hopefully that made you smile. 🙂 } Your swiss roll cake is a work of art. What a creative and amazing technique you’ve shared. I would have never have guessed how it was done. This needs to be on my pin board!
I hope the inspection went well, and yes, the waiting can be very nerve wracking! I’ve been waiting to see how you put this together. You’re so creative and artistic! I know my kids would flip for this cake, so I’ll have to order one from you! hahaha! So cute, Angie!!
I am so not talented like you! I can’t believe you even made the carrot pattern on the jelly roll! You are so cool!
When I saw your preview pic of this cake a while ago, I couldn’t wait to see how you did that carrot pattern. And can I just say – WHOA! That is SO cool. And it looks like so much work…I don’t know if I’d have the patience. But what a reward! Love it.
I can relate to the whole inspection thing, our landlord gave us plenty of notice before the city showed up to check on everything. It was definitely nerve wracking though. This cake is such a fun dessert!
This is insanely adorable and you have mad skills. I need that carrot template!!
Oh my goodness!! how adorable is this!!!
Can I just say that this is pure genius! Such a beautiful cake!
How inventive! I am not a baker but I would love to try this!
This is beyond adorable! What an amazing dessert this would be on our Easter table. I hope the inspection went well!
I really had no idea how you did this! Beautiful!
This cake is so super-cute I just can’t contain myself….LOVE everything about it 🙂 and those adorable little carrots!
There are no words to accurately describe the level of adorable achieved by this cake roll. LOVE it! Cake rolls and I don’t usually get along. (Read: the little jerkfaces crack on me every stinking time.) Your “carrots” have inspired me to try again! The design possibilities are endless.
1. That cake decoration is amazing! Such detail. 2. This was the perfect bride/distraction 🙂
That is seriously gorgeous! It’s ALMOST too pretty to eat ; )
TOO cute for words!
What an impressive dessert! I’m not sure I have the patience to make this, but I love the detail!
This is one of THE most creative cakes I have ever seen!! I’m so glad you added images of how you actually did it – just WOW!! I guess you’re ready for Easter now, huh 😉 We’re renting, too, and the property managers always threaten with an inspections but it hasn’t happened yet. I can’t believe they’re charging you on top of it. Ridiculous!! I hope it went well 🙂
Ok, whoa! I have been dying to see how you made those little carrots (a little easier than I thought it was going to be…haha) This is one fancy dancy cake roll….love!
We rented for eons. We lucked out and got into a place here that was originally built for auto workers. It’s about 2 blocks from where we are now. Same size house minus the garage for half what we pay for mortgage. I would have stayed forever because we loved the house and the pool. But we ended up buying my dad’s place after he passed. Moving 2 blocks is a pain in the rump. Not even kidding. Anyhow they inspected us once a year for the 10 years we were there. It was always nerve inducing but mostly they want to make sure you’re not punching holes in the wall or breeding wild animals in the back yard, lol. I think you’re safe. Ha!
Now onto this beautiful cake. I am in awe. I cannot roll cake to save my life. Let alone make gorgeous designs on it. You are a genius. This is absolutely beautiful
That is the prettiest cake! I love the details. As for the inspection — eek! Our city is talking about creating a mandatory inspection programs for rentals too. I appreciate it for the safety aspect, but I know I’ll totally nervous clean leading up to it.
Holy Cow. This roll cake is so amazing! So stinkin cute with all those detailed carrots…I love it!! 🙂
ok so i need this in my life both in cake roll and t-shirt form!
dang is it ever wonderfully whimsical :>D!
This is adorable and looks so delicious! I love carrot cake!
This roll cake is amazing and just beautiful! the most creative cake I’ve seen lately! love this!
Perfectly executed! Love this cake roll!!!
You are one clever little bear!
So adorable and perfect for Easter!
I love how you made the carrots! Have to try this very soon. So odd that you have to pay for the inspections instead of the property owner paying for them.
I am totally going to try this cake roll. They are normally not my forte. You rock at cake rolls!
This is seriously so adorable!
What size did you use? A cookie sheet or a jelly roll pan (which am having trouble finding)
Hey Debbie. The pan I use is about 10 x 15 – just a regular size. A Jelly Roll Pan is pretty much just a cookie sheet with the lips. You have to made sure the pan has sides so that the batter doesn’t spill off the sides. For the last one I made I used the Bar Pan from Pampered Chef (it’s stoneware) but a metal one would work too. 🙂
So glad you asked this! I did a search for the word size since it didn’t say. I own 4 different sizes lol.
I tried to guess how the carrots got on the cake, but I couldn’t. What a pretty cake this is! Just an idea: if you still have home inspections, bake this – – or homemade bread or cookies – – when the inspector is on the way. You’ll put that inspector in a great mood through the heavenly fragrance!
I made this for Easter. So cute, and I thought it was fairly easy. My cake stuck just a bit to the parchment, but this was my first time making a roll cake. Maybe I need to let it cool a few minutes. I’ll make it again. I filled mine with a homemade cream cheese filling. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Erin! Hope everyone loved it!! I’m so glad you made it! I have had mine stick to the parchment a but before too. It takes a little practice sometimes but I love roll cakes!
It’s been a while since you posted this, but I was looking for a simple dessert to bring to easter dinner and this was perfect! The recipe and proportions were perfect and the sponge is great- I did end up adding half a tsp of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor, but that’s just a personal preference. The only thing I did struggle with was the rolling itself- I hadn’t done it before and it was a bit difficult to figure out how to do it from the pictures or steps, but there are resources all over the internet for that! Great recipe- I have a ton of the decorative batter left, so I will likely end up making this again with what’s left over.
Hi Ashley! So glad that you liked it! I bet it turned out beautifully!
Hi don’t you have to let the cake cool before adding the inside?
The cake is super thin so it cools very quickly.
If you wanted to use homemade icing, what would you make? Buttercream? Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese probably!