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Cotton Candy Japanese Cake Roll

A visually stunning pastel pink Japanese sponge cake that is light as a cloud, filled with a semi-sweet, airy vanilla whipped cream.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 44 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 260

Ingredients
  

Pink Chiffon Sponge
  • 4 large eggs separated, room temperature
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar for yolks
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar for egg whites
  • 0.25 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil like canola or vegetable
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.75 cup cake flour sifted
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp cream of tartar
  • 2 drops pink gel food coloring
Whipped Cream Filling
  • 1.25 cups heavy whipping cream very cold
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 10x15 inch Jelly Roll Pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Offset spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until pale. Whisk in milk, oil, vanilla, and pink gel food coloring until smooth.
  3. Sift the cake flour and baking powder into the yolk mixture and whisk just until combined.
  4. In a clean bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and whip to medium, drooping peaks.
  5. Fold 1/3 of the meringue into the yolk batter to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest until no white streaks remain.
  6. Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake for 12-14 minutes until the top springs back when touched.
  7. Invert the warm cake onto a new sheet of parchment, peel off the baking parchment, and gently roll the cake up in the new parchment to cool completely.
  8. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
  9. Unroll the cooled cake, spread with whipped cream, and gently re-roll. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours before slicing.

Notes

Always roll the cake while it is still warm to create 'muscle memory' and prevent the sponge from cracking.