🍫🍰 Decadent Chocolate Cake Roll 🍰🍫

🍽️ Tip: This Decadent Chocolate Cake Roll is a delightful dessert that combines the rich, chocolatey taste of sponge cake with a velvety whipped cream filling. It’s both impressive and surprisingly easy to make, perfect for special occasions or whenever you're craving a chocolatey indulgence. Each serving (about 1/12th of the roll) contains around 250-300 calories, making it a delightful treat for chocolate lovers. Serve it chilled for the best flavor and texture.

🌟 Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

For the Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

📝 Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cake Pan:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper. This will help the cake roll easily without sticking.

2. Make the Cake Batter:

   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is pale and thick.

   • Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.

   • Sift the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula until fully incorporated. Be careful not to deflate the batter.

3. Bake the Cake:

   • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.

   • While the cake is baking, prepare a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle it with powdered sugar.

4. Roll the Cake:

   • As soon as the cake is done, remove it from the oven and turn it out onto the prepared towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.

   • While the cake is still warm, gently roll it up in the towel, starting from the shorter side. Let the cake cool completely in the towel. This will help it maintain its shape when you roll it with the filling later.

5. Make the Filling:

   • While the cake is cooling, prepare the whipped cream filling. In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.

6. Assemble the Cake Roll:

   • Once the cake has cooled, carefully unroll it. Spread an even layer of the whipped cream filling over the entire surface of the cake, leaving a small border around the edges.

   • Gently roll the cake back up, this time without the towel, ensuring the filling stays inside. Be careful not to tear the cake.

7. Dust with Powdered Sugar:

   • Once the cake is fully rolled, dust the top with powdered sugar to add a decorative finish.

8. Chill and Serve:

   • Place the cake roll in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow it to set. Once chilled, slice it into individual portions and serve.

🍦 Serving Suggestion: This chocolate cake roll is perfect for serving at family gatherings, parties, or after dinner. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for an added touch.

💡 Energy-saving Tip: To save energy, consider using a countertop convection oven or toaster oven, which will heat more efficiently and bake the cake faster than a full-size oven. Additionally, preparing the whipped cream filling while the cake cools will save time and energy.

💡 Nutritional Benefits and Considerations:

• Beneficial For: The cake provides a satisfying combination of protein from the eggs and a rich, creamy texture from the heavy cream. The cocoa powder in the cake offers antioxidants, making it a tasty yet slightly nutritious treat.

• Not Suitable For: People with dairy allergies should avoid this cake, as it contains both heavy cream and eggs. Those who are watching their sugar intake should enjoy this dessert in moderation due to its sugar content.

💡 Additional Tips:

• For a fun variation, add a layer of fruit preserves or fresh berries in the middle of the cake before rolling it up for a fruity twist.

• If you prefer a dairy-free version, use coconut cream in place of the heavy cream for the filling and ensure the cake ingredients are suitable for dairy-free diets.