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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Sweets > Cakes

    The Best Lemon Roll Cake

    Last modified: Jul 12, 2024 ยท Published by Adina, May 18, 2022 ยท 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image of a roll filled with lemon curd.

    This is our favorite lemon roll cake. It is a soft and delightful sponge filled with fresh and tangy lemon curd.

    rolled cake filled with lemon curd and sprinkled with icing sugar.

    This lemon roll cake is the best! An incredibly flavorful, tangy lemon Swiss roll that everybody loves. There are no surprises here. The sponge is fluffy, tender, and sweet, and the filling is lemony, zesty, tangy, and creamy.

    A beautiful and easy-to-make dessert bursting with flavor and perfect for the season. And if you like Swiss rolls or roll cakes, check out our Cream Roll with Strawberries, the Easy Raspberry Roulade, or the Strawberry Basil Cake.

    Recipe ingredients

    Butter:  I use unsalted butter and add a tiny pinch of sea salt. Regular salted butter might be too salty; I would not use it to make the filling for this lemon roll cake.

    Lemons: Two medium to large unwaxed, organic lemons, as you will need their zest. Wash and dry them well before zesting. If you want to decorate the lemon cake roll with some fresh slices, you will need one extra lemon.

    Eggs: You will need two eggs for the filling and four eggs for the sponge.

    Flour: I prefer to use cake flour in baking; it makes the baked goods airier. However, all-purpose flour is fine as well.

    Sugar: You will need granulated sugar for the curd and the sponge, powdered sugar for the towel, and for dusting the roll cake before serving.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    How to make lemon roll cake?

    How to make the lemon filling?

    collage of two pictures of cooking lemon curd and showing how thick it is on a wooden spoon.
    • Lemons: Wash, dry, zest, and juice them.
    • Heat butter, sugar, lemon zest, juice, and salt in a heatproof bowl at bain-marie.
    • Add strained eggs and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes opaque (1). You should be able to trace a path with your finger on the curd on the wooden spoon (2).
    • Cover the curd with cling film and let cool completely.
    • You can make the filling several days in advance and keep it refrigerated.

    How to make the sponge?

    collage of two pictures of stiff egg whites in one bowl and beatedn yolks with sugar in another bowl.
    • Preheat the oven to 200ยฐC/ 400ยฐF. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
    • Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff and glossy. Set aside (3).
    • Whisk the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a separate bowl until foamy (4).
    collage of two pictures of adding flour to batter and mixing.
    • Mix flour and cornstarch in a small bowl. Sieve the flour mixture over the sugar mixture (5).
    • Add โ…“ of the egg whites and mix.
    • Add the remaining egg whites and fold in gently (6).
    collage of two pictures of sponge cake before and after baking on a tray.
    • Bake the batter (7) on the prepared baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes until golden (8).
    collage of two pictures of peeling paper off cake and rolling it in a towel.
    • Sprinkle a clean kitchen towel with icing sugar. Turn the baked cake onto the kitchen towel with the baking paper facing up. Peel off the paper carefully (9), then immediately roll the cake with the help of the towel (10).
    • Leave it to get completely cool (it will take about 1 hour).
    • You can bake the cake roll one day in advance and keep it wrapped in a towel at room temperature.

    How to assemble the roll cake?

    collage of two pictures of spreading lemon curd on roll and rolled cake.
    • Unroll the cake and cover it with the lemon curd (11).
    • Roll the cake again and wrap it in clingfilm (12).
    • Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
    • Dust with icing sugar and decorate with lemon slices (if desired).

    Good to know!

    Always use a digital kitchen scale in baking (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab); it guarantees for best results.

    If you happen to have a Thermomix, use it to make the Thermomix lemon curd; itโ€™s even easier. If you like lemony desserts as much as we do, make Lemon Slice, No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake or Baked Blueberry Cheesecake.

    All ingredients should be at room temperature.

    Prepare the baking sheet and preheat the oven in time. Mixing the simple ingredients will be quick, and the cake batter needs to be baked as soon as itโ€™s ready. If it waits for the oven to get hot, it will no longer rise nicely.

    Rolling the cake roll while hot will prevent it from cracking. Leave to cool completely before filling.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make the Swiss roll ahead?

    Yes. You can prepare it a day ahead and keep it refrigerated.
    You can also cook the lemon filling several days in advance and keep it in a jar in the refrigerator.
    The sponge can be made one day in advance. Keep it rolled in the towel at room temperature.

    How to store a roll cake?

    Refrigerate it for 2-3 days.
    Freeze the leftover slices individually for up to 3 months. Freeze them solid on a baking tray, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost the pieces on a plate in a single layer.

    Can I add berries to the roll cake?

    Yes!!! My favorite would be fresh raspberries; I think that raspberries and lemon curd are a match made in heaven. Check out the Lemon Curd Tartlets or the Raspberry Lemon Curd Cake; they are amazing!
    You can also add chopped strawberries (or peaches), blueberries, or blackberries.

    lemon cake roll sprinkled with icing sugar and topped with small lemon slices.

    More lemon cakes

    • a slice of lemon merigue pie with thick golden filling.
      The Best Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
    • three pieces of lemon drizzle traybake cake stapled on each other.
      Lemon Drizzle Traybake
    • pieces of layered romanian lemon cake on a small plate.
      Romanian Lemon Cake (Snow White)
    • stapled pieces of fluffy lemon sour cream blueberry cake.
      Lemon Blueberry Cake with Sour Cream

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

    swiss roll with lemon filling on a platter.

    The Best Lemon Roll Cake

    This is our favorite lemon roll cake, a soft and delightful sponge filled with fresh and tangy lemon curd.
    4.58 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Cakes
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 248kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • 1 Baking tray
    • 1 Heatproof bowl
    • 1 Pan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    Lemon curd (Note 1):

    • 150 g butter unsalted 5 ยฝ oz/ โ…” cup
    • 150 g sugar 5 ยฝ oz/ ยพ cup
    • a tiny pinch of salt
    • 2 medium to large lemons zest and juice, Note 2
    • 2 eggs large, room temperature

    Sponge:

    • 4 eggs large
    • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
    • ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
    • a pinch of salt
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2-3 teaspoons icing sugar for the towel

    Garnish:

    • 1-2 teaspoons icing sugar
    • lemon slices optional

    Instructions

    Lemon curd:

    • Wash and dry the lemon. Zest them first, then halve them and juice them.
    • Place the diced butter, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and juice into a heatproof bowl.
    • Bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer. Place the bowl on top; its bottom should not touch the water.
    • Heat the ingredients, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves.
    • Eggs: In the meantime, beat the eggs and strain them into another small bowl.
    • Add them to the sugar mixture and stir continuously until it thickens slightly and becomes opaque. You should be able to trace a path with your finger on the curd on the spoon (See picture in the blog post).
    • Transfer the curd to a clean bowl, place a piece of clingfilm directly onto the surface of the curd and let cool completely.

    Sponge:

    • Preheat the oven to 200ยฐC/ 400ยฐF. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
    • Egg whites: Separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until quite stiff. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar and beat until glossy and stiff. Set aside.
    • Egg yolks: In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of sugar until foamy.
    • Combine: Mix the flour, baking powder, and the cornstarch and sieve everything over the egg yolk-sugar mixture. Add โ…“ of the egg whites and incorporate. Add the remaining egg whites and fold in gently.
    • Bake: Spread the batter onto the prepared baking tray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden.
    • Roll sponge: In the meantime, place a clean kitchen towel on the table and sprinkle it with the icing sugar. Turn the baked cake onto the kitchen towel with the baking paper facing up. Peel off the parchment paper carefully, then immediately roll the cake with the help of the towel. Leave it to get completely cool (it will take about 1 hour).

    Assemble the roll cake:

    • Unroll the cake.
    • Spread the lemon curd evenly on it.
    • Roll the cake again. Wrap in plastic foil/cling film and place on a platter.
    • Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours or until nicely set. Remove the plastic wrap and place the cake back onto the serving platter.
    • Dust with icing sugar and decorate with lemon slices (if desired).

    Notes

    1. Always use a digital kitchen scale in baking; it guarantees for best results (Amazon affiliate link).
    2. Itโ€™s preferable to use organic, unwaxed lemons, as you will need the zest.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Comments

    1. Denise says

      August 08, 2023 at 9:38 pm

      I had a very successful experience with this jelly roll recipe. It was a beautiful sponge - so tender and light. I filled the sponge with my own curd recipe mixed with a dense cream cheese frosting - a great combo. I iced the crest of the cake with the cream cheese frosting and topped it blueberries and lemon zest. Many thanks for making this recipe available!

      Reply
    2. Maureen says

      December 26, 2022 at 10:37 pm

      What size baking pan?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 27, 2022 at 10:39 am

        I use the standard one that came with the oven. 12x16 inches/ 30x40 cm. A bit more or less is ok.

        Reply
        • Jt says

          February 02, 2024 at 5:42 am

          Is this right, only 3 tbsps of flour?

        • Adina says

          February 02, 2024 at 8:06 am

          Yes.

    3. Lynn says

      December 12, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      Can lemon juice and zest be added to the sponge for more lemon? If so, would it just be added in or used in place of something?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        December 12, 2022 at 8:55 pm

        Hi Lynn. You can add some lemon zest, but don't add lemon juice. Extra liquid would change the ingredient balance in the recipe and the sponge will not be the way it is supposed to be.

        Reply
    4. Dedi says

      September 23, 2022 at 2:53 am

      Your written recipe include baking powder, but you don't mention it in the written instructions, nor in the illustrated instructions. Is baking powder to be included or not????

      Reply
      • Adina says

        September 23, 2022 at 7:29 am

        Yes, sorry, it slipped in the instructions.

        Reply
    4.58 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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