Name: Christmas Surprise Cake Roll
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 4 large eggs; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp peppermint extract; Red and green food coloring; 1/3 cup powdered sugar

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This cake is pure holiday magic. You slice it… and boom—there’s a surprise inside! It’s so fun and honestly, super pretty too.

The cake is soft and fluffy. The filling? Sweet and creamy. We made it last year, and everyone was obsessed.

Wanna bake something that wows at the table? This Christmas Surprise Cake Roll is it. Let’s roll it up and make some memories.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: This Christmas Surprise Cake Roll is a great way to celebrate the season with a show-stopping dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Delicious Layers: The combination of moist chocolate cake, creamy peppermint filling, and a surprise of red and green swirls makes every bite an adventure.
Simple to Make: With just a few basic ingredients, this cake is surprisingly easy to make.
Perfect for Holiday Gatherings: The Christmas colors and seasonal flavors make this cake a perfect treat for Christmas parties, family dinners, or as a gift for loved ones.
Customizable: Feel free to get creative with the filling or the decorations to suit your personal preferences or holiday theme.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before you get started, make sure you have the following kitchen tools on hand:

10×15 Inch Jelly Roll Pan: A standard size for cake rolls, this pan will give your cake the right thickness and dimensions for rolling.
Parchment Paper: Prevents the cake from sticking and makes it easier to roll.
Electric Mixer: A hand or stand mixer will make whipping the eggs and sugar a breeze, giving you a light and airy cake.
Clean Kitchen Towel: This is essential for rolling your cake once it’s baked, so be sure to have one on hand.
Sifter or Fine Mesh Sieve: For sifting the dry ingredients, which ensures there are no lumps in the flour and cocoa powder.
Plastic Wrap: This will be used to help shape and set the cake roll as it cools

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this festive treat (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Chocolate Cake:

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cake, creating a soft and light texture.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor to the cake.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise for a soft and fluffy texture.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the cake.
Large Eggs: Eggs help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create its light and fluffy texture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor, which complements the chocolate cake.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.

For the Peppermint Filling:

Heavy Whipping Cream: Forms the base of the filling, making it light and creamy.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the filling and helps stabilize the whipped cream.
Peppermint Extract: The essential ingredient that gives the filling a refreshing peppermint flavor.
Red and Green Food Coloring: Creates the Christmas surprise! These will swirl into the whipped cream to add a festive touch to the filling.

For Dusting:

Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar gives the cake a beautiful finishing touch.

Variations for Christmas Surprise Cake Roll

Switch the Flavor: If you’re not a fan of peppermint, try swapping the peppermint extract with vanilla or almond extract for a different twist.
Try Different Colors: If you’re not fond of traditional red and green, feel free to experiment with other food coloring shades that suit your holiday theme, like gold or silver.
Add Fillings: You could also add chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, or marshmallow bits to the filling for an extra surprise inside.
Non-Dairy Option: For a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free whipped topping.
Top it with Ganache: For extra decadence, drizzle some chocolate ganache on top of the rolled cake before serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper covers the bottom and sides for easy removal after baking. Set it aside.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that there are no lumps in the flour and cocoa and that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

3. Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil, and continue beating until fully incorporated.

4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to avoid a dense cake. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick.

5. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it evenly using a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

6. Roll the Cake

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. While the cake is cooling, lay a clean kitchen towel on a flat surface. Dust the towel with powdered sugar to prevent the cake from sticking. Carefully invert the cake onto the towel and peel off the parchment paper. Starting at one end, gently roll the cake up with the towel inside. Allow the cake to cool completely in the rolled position (this will help it keep its shape once filled).

7. Prepare the Peppermint Filling

While the cake is cooling, whip the heavy whipping cream in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Once soft peaks form, gradually add the powdered sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Add the peppermint extract and gently fold in the red and green food coloring to create a festive swirl effect.

8. Assemble the Cake Roll

Once the cake has cooled, carefully unroll it from the towel. Spread a generous layer of the peppermint filling over the entire surface of the cake, leaving a small border around the edges.

9. Roll the Cake Back Up

Starting at one end, carefully roll the cake back up without the towel. Make sure the roll is tight but not too tight to avoid cracking the cake. Once rolled, place the cake seam-side down on a serving platter.

10. Chill the Cake Roll

Cover the cake roll with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the filling and allow the flavors to meld together.

11. Dust with Powdered Sugar

Before serving, dust the top of the cake roll with a light coating of powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.

How to Serve Christmas Surprise Cake Roll

This stunning Christmas cake roll is perfect for serving at holiday gatherings, but it also makes a great dessert for any festive occasion. Here are a few ideas for serving it:

Slice and Serve: Slice the cake into 1-inch rounds and serve on a platter. The surprise of the peppermint swirl inside will delight guests with every bite.
Top with Fresh Berries: For an extra touch, serve the cake rolls with a side of fresh raspberries or strawberries for a festive pop of color.
Pair with Hot Chocolate: Enjoy the cake roll with a warm cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday treat.
Add Whipped Cream: For an extra creamy finish, serve each slice with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.

Storing Christmas Surprise Cake Roll

Leftovers: Store any leftover cake roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cake will stay fresh and moist, and the peppermint filling will keep its creamy texture.
Freezing: You can also freeze the entire cake roll or individual slices for up to 1 month. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Nutrition with Table Format

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one slice (based on 10 servings):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	245 kcal
Carbohydrates	32 g
Protein	3 g
Fat	12 g
Saturated Fat	7 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	19 g
Sodium	120 m