Growing up, my family always had a tradition of baking together on weekends. One of my fondest memories is of my mother teaching me how to create colorful, whimsical desserts that not only tasted delicious but also looked like something out of a fairy tale. This Galaxy Cake Roll brings me right back to those magical kitchen moments. Inspired by the vast beauty of outer space, this cake roll is a visual and culinary delight that’s perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to add a little sparkle to your day.
The recipe begins with a light and airy sponge cake, tinted with vibrant gel food coloring to mimic the swirling hues of the cosmos. Purple, teal, blue, and black batter come together to create a mesmerizing marbled effect. Rolling the cake while it’s still warm helps it hold its shape and prepares it for the luscious filling.
Speaking of the filling, the combination of cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cool whip creates a creamy and slightly tangy contrast to the sweet cake. This balance of flavors and textures is sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. As a fan of experimenting with recipes, I sometimes add a hint of lemon zest to the filling for an extra layer of brightness.
To finish off this galactic creation, a rich chocolate ganache is poured over the rolled cake, adding a decadent touch. The black gel food coloring in the ganache gives it a deep, starry night appearance. For an added touch of whimsy, you can sprinkle edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles on top, making it truly look like a slice of the universe.
One of the best parts about this recipe is its flexibility. You can play around with different colors to match any theme or occasion. Imagine a pastel version for a baby shower or a festive red and green swirl for the holidays. The possibilities are endless, and it’s this versatility that makes the Galaxy Cake Roll a favorite in my baking repertoire.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is a fun and rewarding project. The process of creating the swirls and assembling the cake is both creative and therapeutic. Plus, the final result is a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to earn you plenty of compliments. So gather your ingredients, put on your favorite playlist, and get ready to embark on a baking adventure that’s out of this world!
Making the Galaxy Cake Roll
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Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 4 large room-temperature eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese (1/2 package)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 2 cups Cool Whip
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Black gel food coloring
- Gel food coloring: purple, teal, and blue
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 15×10 jelly roll pan with parchment paper and coat it with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature eggs on high speed for 3 minutes until they turn pale yellow. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat.
- Mix in the vegetable oil, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract, and beat lightly. Add the flour mixture, stirring until just blended.
- Divide the batter evenly among 4 bowls. Add gel food coloring to each bowl (purple, blue, teal, and black) and mix until colors are uniform. Drizzle the colored batters into the prepared pan, alternating colors to create a swirled pattern.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes until the cake springs back when touched. While baking, lay a towel on a flat surface and dust it with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Once baked, turn the cake out onto the towel and roll it up with the towel. Place on a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until fluffy (about 1-2 minutes). Fold in the Cool Whip gently.
- After the cake has cooled, unroll it and spread the filling evenly, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Roll the cake back up and place it seam-side down on a tray. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.
- To prepare the chocolate ganache, place the chocolate chips in a medium heat-proof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small pot over low heat until just before boiling. Mix in a small amount of black gel food coloring. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1-2 minutes. Stir until smooth and let the ganache cool to room temperature.
- Place the chilled cake roll on a rack and pour the ganache over it, using a spoon or spatula to cover any gaps. Add sprinkles if desired. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
FAQs:
How do I prevent my cake roll from cracking?
To avoid cracking, make sure to roll the cake while it is still warm. Rolling it with a towel dusted with powdered sugar helps to keep it flexible and prevents sticking.
Can I use natural food coloring instead of gel food coloring?
Yes, you can use natural food coloring, but gel food coloring is recommended for its vibrant colors and stability during baking.
What if I don’t have a jelly roll pan?
If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, you can use a rimmed baking sheet with similar dimensions. Just ensure it has sides to contain the batter.
How long can I store the Galaxy Cake Roll?
The cake roll can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it is covered well to prevent it from drying out.
Can I make the cake roll in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the cake roll a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add the ganache shortly before serving for the best presentation.
Why is my ganache not smooth?
If your ganache isn’t smooth, it might be due to the chocolate not melting completely. Ensure the cream is hot enough to melt the chocolate and stir continuously until smooth.
Galaxy Cake Roll
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring: black purple, teal, and blue
- 4 oz cream cheese softened (1/2 package)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups cool whip
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- black gel food coloring
Instructions
Cake Roll:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 15x10 jelly roll pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a larger mixing bowl, beat the eggs on high for 3 minutes until pale yellow. Gradually add the sugar while continuing to beat. Add the vegetable oil, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla, and beat lightly. Add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated.
- Divide the batter into 4 bowls and add gel food coloring to each bowl, mixing until the color is even. We used purple, blue, teal, and black. Drizzle the batter into the pan, rotating through the colors to create swirls.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes until the cake is springy to the touch. While baking, lay a towel on a flat surface and dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Immediately turn the baked cake onto the towel and roll it up with the towel. Place on a rack to cool completely.
Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Fold in the cool whip gently.
- Once the cake is cool, unroll it and spread the filling, leaving a 1/2 inch gap around the edges. Roll the cake back up and place it seam-side down on a tray in the fridge to chill. The longer it chills, the easier it will be to slice.
Chocolate Ganache:
- Place the chocolate chips in a medium heat-proof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small pot over low heat until just before boiling. Add a small amount of black gel food coloring and mix. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 1-2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let the ganache come to room temperature.
- To apply the ganache, place the cake roll on a rack and pour the ganache over it, using a spoon or spatula to cover any uncovered areas. Add sprinkles if desired. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve. Store leftovers in the fridge.
