At the same time I found the recipe for the pecan date cookies, I also found this recipe for a pecan roulade. Never having made a roulade, I was a bit hesitant. But, I couldn’t quit thinking about it and what a lovely addition it would be to our Christmas Eve dinner.
I won’t deny that I was a little anxious about how this cake would turn out. Mostly, I feared that the cake would fall apart during the rolling process. However, it rolled up beautifully without so much as a crack.
My only complaint about this recipe is that I wished it had been more flavorful. With all those toasted pecans in both the cake and the filling, I was hoping for a big pecan taste. After I adjusted my expectations, I did enjoy it very much. It was just a bit different than I thought it would be. It’s delicate flavor was probably a bit lost with the pecan pie cheesecake and the caramel cake (details to come). It would probably do better as a solitary dessert offering.
The magazine describes this dessert as impressive. I was certainly impressed by how well it turned out. While it didn’t quite have as much flavor as I had hoped, it is certainly delicious. The sponge cake plus the whipped cream filling make for a lovely, light dessert perfect for most any occasion. Just be sure you display it so you can maximize the ooohs and aaahs you’ll deserve for your efforts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans, cooled
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 large eggs, separated
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, plus more for garnishing
- chopped pecans, for garnishing
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
To make the cake:
Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly spray a 15″x 10″x 1″ jelly roll pan. Line pan with parchment paper, and spray paper as well.
Combine pecans and flour in food processor until pecans are finely ground.
Beat egg yolks at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add ground pecan mixture, 1/2 cup of sugar, and vanilla. Beat until well combined, and set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold egg white mixture into egg yolk mixture. Spread into pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Cake should spring back when lightly touched in the center.
On a cloth towel, sift confectioners’ sugar into a 15″x 10″ rectangle. When cake is done, loosen from sides of pan and turn onto towel. Peel off parchment paper. Starting at narrow end, roll up cake and towel. Place the cake seam side down on a wire rack. Let cake cool completely.
Gently unroll cake. Spread with filling (directions below). Reroll cake (without towel) and place seam side down on a serving platter. Garnish with confectioners’ sugar and chopped pecans, if desired.
To make the filling:
Combine brown sugar, 3 tablespoons cream, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Stir in pecans and vanilla. Set aside to cool completely.
Beat 1 cup heavy cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add brown sugar mixture, and beat until stiff peaks form.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Southern Lady.
December 26th, 2007 at 8:49 am
It is very pretty!
December 26th, 2007 at 9:36 am
i have wanted to make one of these rolls before but I keep thinking that it will break apart when I try to roll it out. Did you use a towel to roll it up after you got it out of the pan?
December 26th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Thanks, Rachel! I thought it turned out well.
Amanda, that was exactly my fear also. I did roll it up with a towel. I think that’s the only way to keep the cake from sticking to itself.
December 26th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Beautiful! I love roulade-style cakes. They’re always so light and delicious!
December 26th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
yum, looks amazing!
December 26th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I’ve never attempted one of those either. You must have gotten applause when you served it. It’s gorgeous!
December 26th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
That is the most beautiful picture! I have never even eaten anything like this. Tell me, how did you slice it? Size portions?
December 26th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Oh yum. I just got a ton of pecans for Christmas I will have to give this a try.
December 26th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Thanks, Dana. This one was definitely both light and delicious.
Thanks, Sara!
Marni, thanks. I thought I could have gotten a few more ooohs and aaahs, but what can you do?
Thanks, JEP! I sliced the servings about 3/4-inch thick.
Peabody, have fun baking with those pecans. I always keep a freezer full!
December 27th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
That photo could not be any more tempting at all. Wow!
December 28th, 2007 at 12:06 am
I used to think pecans were pretty bland until we moved to a lot with a pecan tree on it and man! was I in for a treat! I don’t mean to sound blazay about it or anything but they really smell and taste great. I can send you a box full if you wish:)
December 28th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Meant to add that the log and the pictures are gorgeous!
December 28th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Thanks, Kristen!
Tartelette, thank you! I absolutely adore pecans and the fact that you have your own tree just kills me. I would be ecstatic!
December 28th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
It looks perfect, Jen!
December 28th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Thanks, Patricia!
December 29th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
This dessert was fantastic (as your creations always are)! You just can’t go wrong with pecans, and it was so light and delicate. The roulade was just the right amount of cake and pecan mixture not to be too heavy after a big dinner. Perfect!
P.S. Leftovers are not that shabby either. It keeps well in the fridge, and sadly…I have eaten my last piece.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
What a stunning Roulade! Might I add it’s a perfect photo … I’ll have to try this Roulade out for sure!
January 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Thanks, Mango! I hope you enjoy it. It’s so light and delicious.
December 24th, 2012 at 5:52 am
Try making this with a caramel sauce (just boil a can of condensed milk for a few hours). Even better instead of a cake roulade i have made with meringue. Cook meringue on gas mark 5 for 45 mins so still soft in middle but crunchy on the outside, when rolling just be confident, it will crack but the cream filling will hold it together! Best made on the day of eating.
April 2nd, 2013 at 11:23 am
I’m kinda sorry I found this blog. I don’t need another place to find yummy dessert recipes. They look fantastic though; I can’t wait to try some.