Baking College In-Depth: Swiss Cake Rolls

EGGS: Eggs deliver richness by means of their yolks and moisture by means of their whites, however additionally they assist leaven baked items. This recipe makes use of three massive eggs for the cake batter, including leavening, taste, richness, and construction, and egg whites are used to create gorgeous carry within the Swiss Meringue Buttercream.

GRANULATED SUGAR: The commonest type of sugar, extremely refined white sugar is constructed from sugarcane or sugar beets. The elimination of molasses and impurities leaves the sugar white. When whipped with eggs, granulated sugar creates the ethereal leaven of our cake and provides the right contact of sweetness to our meringue buttercream and chocolate syrup.

VANILLA EXTRACT: A chocolate cake with out vanilla lacks a fantastic depth of taste. So, a touch of vanilla extract enhances and enhances this cake’s wealthy cocoa notes. Vanilla additionally provides a beautiful aroma to the Chocolate Syrup and buttercream.

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: All-purpose flour has a protein content material of 10% to 12%, creating truffles which are tender but have sufficient gluten construction to carry their rolled form. This protein binds the cake batter and creates a base that withstands rolling, however it additionally ensures that the cake bakes up fluffy and light-weight.

DUTCH PROCESS COCOA POWDER: Dutch course of cocoa powder is handled with an alkaline resolution of potassium carbonate to make it milder and fewer acidic in taste and darker in shade. For this recipe, we love Dutch course of cocoa as a result of it’s barely much less astringent in taste than pure cocoa powder, so it makes an intense however not bitter-tasting chocolate cake.

KOSHER SALT: Our salt of alternative, kosher salt is a pure, mined, additive-free salt that dissolves readily and has a crisp, clear style. It’s flaked somewhat than granulated, which permits for extra even distribution within the batter and buttercream.

NEUTRAL OIL: Oil incorporates like a dream into our chocolate cake batter, and due to its everlasting liquid state, it retains the cake moist and tender even because it cools. Impartial oils which are nice for baking embrace vegetable, canola, grapeseed, and sunflower oil.

CREAM OF TARTAR: Cream of tartar aids in stabilizing the whipped egg whites within the buttercream, serving to them maintain their quantity to achieve spectacular heights.

UNSALTED BUTTER: Butter is significant to the feel and richness of the Chocolate Ganache and the Swiss Meringue Buttercream, so selecting a European-style butter with a better fats ratio than generic grocery retailer butter will yield one of the best outcomes. Salt content material can range throughout butter manufacturers, so we use unsalted butter to manage the precise quantity of salt within the recipe.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 141⁄2×91⁄2-inch rimmed baking sheet with baking spray with flour. Line backside of pan with parchment paper; evenly spray parchment. A light-weight mist of baking spray on the underside of the pan makes parchment paper stick, stopping the paper from curling or shifting throughout baking.

2. Within the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer, whisk collectively eggs, sugar, and vanilla by hand. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Prepare dinner, whisking often, till an instant-read thermometer registers 110°F (43°C). We used the bain-marie methodology, a mild heating of eggs and sugar over simmering water, to assist the eggs whip up in dramatic trend. Heating the eggs to only 110°F (43°C) permits proteins to denature, or unfold, and units up the combination to carry air extra readily. Heating the sugar additionally means it would dissolve simply into the eggs.

3. Rigorously return bowl to face mixer. Utilizing the whisk attachment, beat at excessive velocity till thick, tripled in quantity, and ribbon-consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. “Ribbon-consistency” is a typical time period used to explain the looks of a batter or combination. You’ll usually discover this time period used for candy-making or in recipes for French macarons. The batter, when falling from the whisk attachment, creates a luxuriously thick ribbon. Because the batter from the whisk settles atop the batter within the bowl, the sides of the “ribbon” ought to stay clearly outlined on the floor for a second earlier than slowly disappearing. This ribbon stage tells us that we have now whipped sufficient air into the batter to leaven the cake and are prepared to maneuver on to the following step.

1. In a small bowl, sift collectively flour, 3 tablespoons (15 grams) cocoa, and salt. Utilizing a big balloon whisk, gently fold flour combination into egg combination in two additions simply till mixed. Don’t be tempted to skip sifting. Clumps
can result in deflated batter or a chew of one thing disagreeable because of making an attempt to include the lumps. A balloon whisk helps completely incorporate the flour with out disturbing the aeration. No balloon whisk? Use your stand mixer whisk attachment like a handheld whisk. It lacks a cushty deal with to carry however will work in a pinch.

2. Switch 1 cup (112 grams) batter to a different small bowl; whisk in oil till mixed. Fold oil combination into batter in two additions simply till mixed. Pour batter into ready pan, and clean flat with an offset spatula utilizing as few strokes as potential. We first whisk the oil right into a small portion of the batter to scale back any probability of overworking all the combination. You need to completely incorporate the oil however preserve a mild contact. Each second spent overmixing deflates valuable aeration. Stiff with aeration, sponge truffles don’t unfold and even out of their very own accord within the oven, so smoothing the batter with an offset spatula is essential for a stage cake. Ensure that to unfold the batter to the touch the perimeters of the pan and use as few strokes as potential to attenuate deflation.

1. Bake till prime appears to be like dry and cake springs again when evenly pressed, 8 to 10 minutes. Instantly run a skinny knife or a small offset spatula round edges of cake. Utilizing a fine-mesh sieve, mud remaining 2 tablespoons (10 grams) cocoa throughout cake. Invert cake onto a big chopping board coated with a clear kitchen towel. Rigorously take away sizzling pan and parchment. Relating to the dusting of cocoa, be beneficiant. The cocoa will instantly start absorbing moisture on the cake’s floor and can assist the cake launch from the kitchen towel after it has cooled.

2. Working shortly and beginning at one brief facet of cake, minimize cake in half lengthwise (don’t separate cake items). Beginning at one lengthy facet, instantly roll up half of cake and towel collectively. Beginning at different lengthy facet, roll up different half of cake and towel collectively so each cake rolls meet in heart of towel. Place seam facet down, and gently press and roll cake roll so edges that meet are rounded. Switch to a wire rack, and let cool utterly, about 4 hours, or as much as in a single day. Since a rolled cake is most pliable when it’s sizzling, it’s crucial to start rolling the cake proper when it comes out of the oven.

BILLOWING BUTTERCREAM

1. Within the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer, whisk collectively egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar by hand. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Prepare dinner, whisking continually, till sugar dissolves and an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F (71°C).

2. Rigorously return bowl to face mixer. Utilizing the whisk attachment, beat at excessive velocity till white and fluffy, 5 to six minutes. Add butter, one piece at a time, beating till mixed after every addition. (Combination could look curdled at this level, however it would come collectively.) Beat at excessive velocity for 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Use instantly, or refrigerate in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days. If refrigerated, let come to room temperature and re-whip in stand mixer till fluffy earlier than utilizing.

1. Rigorously unroll cooled truffles. Brush liberally with Chocolate Syrup.

2. Switch Swiss Meringue Buttercream to a pastry bag fitted with a 1⁄2-inch spherical piping tip (Ateco #807). Pipe buttercream onto truffles, leaving a 1⁄2-inch border alongside every lengthy facet that’s backside seam. Unfold buttercream clean with an offset spatula. Gently reroll truffles with out towel, tucking tightly and ensuring to create a small swirl however not urgent too arduous.

3. Brush tops and sides of cake rolls with Chocolate Syrup. Place on wire rack or a baking sheet. Refrigerate till buttercream is agency and set, about 1 hour.

FINAL FLOURISH

1. In a medium heatproof bowl, place chocolate.

2. In a medium saucepan, warmth cream and butter over medium warmth, whisking continuously, simply till steaming and bubbles type round sides of pan. (Don’t boil.) Take away from warmth; pour sizzling cream combination over chocolate. Let stand for five minutes; whisk till chocolate is melted and combination is clean.

3. Trim 3⁄4 inch from every finish of cake rolls, and minimize every cake roll into 3-inch-long items. Place on wire rack, and pour heat Chocolate Ganache onto every cake roll to utterly coat. Let stand at room temperature till set, 15 to twenty minutes. Serve instantly.