How to Make a Jelly Roll Cake in 5 Simple Steps

A beautifully swirled jelly roll cake (also known as a Swiss roll) might look tricky, but it’s actually quite easy to make in just a few steps. Follow our cake roll recipe and step-by-step instructions (yes, one step even involves rolling the cake in a towel!) to learn how to make this stunning dessert.

Why do some people call it a Jelly Roll, while others call it a Swiss Roll?

Originally, most people referred to this cake as a jelly roll because it was baked in a “jelly roll pan.” Never heard of a jelly roll pan? That’s because nowadays we use a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet or a rimmed baking pan. The term “jelly roll pan” has become less common, and so has the name “jelly roll cake.” Call it whatever you like—we’re ready to help you make it!

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Roll Recipe

Follow the instructions to prepare and bake the cake roll recipe.

Tips for Cake Roll Success:

• Only use a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet. Other pans may be too deep, making it difficult to remove the cake from the pan.

• Be sure to grease and flour the pan (or line it with wax paper or parchment paper) as directed. This will allow the cake to easily come out of the pan without tearing.

• Don’t overbake the cake. Gently touch the surface of the cake with your fingertips—it should spring back, which means it’s done.

Step 2: Remove the Cake from the Pan and Place It on a Towel

Next, sprinkle some powdered sugar onto a clean, lint-free kitchen towel. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, use an offset spatula to gently loosen the edges of the cake from the pan.

Invert the cake onto the prepared towel. The towel prevents the cake from sticking when rolling it up, and the powdered sugar keeps the cake from sticking to the towel. There’s nothing worse than a cake that sticks to the towel, ruining your jelly roll attempt! Immediately peel off the wax or parchment paper (if used) and discard it.

Step 3: Roll the Cake with the Towel and Cool

Starting from one of the shorter edges of the cake, carefully roll the cake and towel together into a spiral. Yes, the towel stays inside the cake during this step! This helps the cake maintain its shape and prevents cracking.

Once rolled, leave the cake inside the towel and place it on a wire rack to cool completely (about 1 hour). While the cake is cooling, whip up your filling, or if you’re making an ice cream cake roll, soften some ice cream.

Step 4: Spread the Filling and Re-Roll

Once the cake has cooled, unroll it and spread your filling evenly over the surface. Then, carefully roll the cake back up using the towel to guide it into a tight, even roll.

Step 5: Chill the Cake Roll

As directed in your recipe, refrigerate the rolled cake in the fridge or freezer. Keep in mind, some cake rolls (especially those with whipped cream fillings) are best eaten within a few hours. However, some, like those filled with cream cheese, can last longer—so be sure to follow your recipe’s recommendations.