Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Roll: A Swirl of Sweet Perfection

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There’s something undeniably magical about desserts that come with a surprise inside. Maybe it’s the element of wonder, or the childlike joy of cutting into a dessert that reveals swirls and layers. Whatever the reason, cake rolls capture that magic perfectly. And when you combine the timeless charm of strawberries with the indulgent creaminess of cheesecake, what you get is something unforgettable.

This Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Roll is a showstopper. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people pause mid-conversation when it’s brought to the table. A soft, fluffy sponge cake rolled around a silky cheesecake filling and juicy strawberry jam, dusted with powdered sugar or draped in a light glaze. It’s pretty, yes. But it’s also rich, satisfying, and just the right amount of sweet.

Despite how elegant it looks, this cake roll isn’t difficult. It requires a bit of patience and attention to detail, but once you understand the process, you’ll be surprised at how accessible it really is. In fact, it might even become one of your go-to desserts for birthdays, brunches, summer potlucks, or whenever you feel like celebrating something beautiful.

In this post, we’ll walk through the entire process of making this cake roll from scratch. We’ll talk about ingredients, share tips for success, and give you all the confidence you need to bake your own swirled masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are a lot of things to love about this Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Roll, but let’s start with the most important:

Soft sponge cake that’s light, airy, and flexible enough to roll without cracking.
Creamy cheesecake filling that brings richness and depth to every bite.
Fresh strawberry flavor from jam or homemade compote, giving you bursts of fruitiness in each slice.
A beautiful swirl that turns every piece into a little edible work of art.
Make-ahead friendly, which makes it perfect for entertaining or special occasions.

And best of all, it’s the kind of dessert that tastes as good as it looks. Sometimes even better.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this dessert to life. The recipe is broken into three parts: the sponge cake, the cheesecake filling, and the strawberry layer.

For the Sponge Cake:

4 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (60ml) milk, room temperature
Powdered sugar for dusting

For the Cheesecake Filling:

8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream, cold

For the Strawberry Layer:

⅔ cup strawberry jam or preserves (use high-quality or homemade)
Optional: Fresh strawberries, chopped finely (about ½ cup)

Equipment You’ll Need

Before you start, make sure you have the right tools:

10×15 inch jelly roll pan
Parchment paper
Clean kitchen towel or tea towel
Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
Offset spatula or knife for spreading
Fine mesh sieve for powdered sugar
Plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil for storing

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making a cake roll involves a few specific steps, and each one matters. Let’s take it slow and walk through the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper, making sure it goes up the sides just a little. Lightly grease the parchment paper with butter or non-stick spray. This will make unmolding the cake much easier later.

Set out a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar. This is where you’ll turn the cake out once it’s baked.

Step 2: Make the Sponge Cake

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer for about 5 minutes, until thick, pale, and tripled in volume. This step is crucial — it’s what gives the cake its lift.

Add the granulated sugar and vanilla, and beat for another 1 to 2 minutes.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the batter.

Drizzle in the milk and fold gently again just until combined.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly with a spatula. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the top is springy and the edges just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Step 3: Roll the Cake

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, carefully turn it out onto the prepared towel. Peel off the parchment paper slowly.

Starting from the short end, gently roll the cake up in the towel while it’s still warm. This step sets the shape and helps prevent cracks later. Let the rolled cake cool completely while wrapped in the towel. This will take about an hour.

Step 4: Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until well combined.

In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and creamy. The result should be light, fluffy, and rich without being overly sweet.

Refrigerate the filling until ready to use.

Step 5: Assemble the Cake Roll

Once the cake has cooled completely, gently unroll it. Don’t worry if it curls a little at the ends — that’s totally normal.

Spread the strawberry jam over the surface of the cake, leaving about a half-inch border. If using fresh strawberries, sprinkle them evenly over the jam.

Next, spread the cheesecake filling over the jam layer. Use a spatula to smooth it out evenly, being careful not to mix the layers too much.

Carefully re-roll the cake without the towel, using both hands to guide it tightly but gently.

Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps everything set and makes slicing easier.

Optional Finishes

When you’re ready to serve, unwrap the cake and place it on a platter.

Here are a few ways to finish it:

Dust the top with powdered sugar
Drizzle with white chocolate or glaze
Pipe a few rosettes of whipped cream and top with sliced strawberries

Keep things simple or make it fancy. Either way, it’s going to be beautiful.

Tips for a Perfect Cake Roll

Cake rolls can seem intimidating, but once you understand a few basics, they’re surprisingly easy.

1. Don’t skip the towel step

Rolling the cake while it’s warm and letting it cool in the towel helps “train” the cake to roll, preventing cracks later.

2. Work with room temperature ingredients

Room temperature eggs whip up with much more volume. Softened cream cheese is easier to blend and gives you a smoother filling.

3. Be gentle when folding

The sponge batter relies on air bubbles for lift. Stir gently and fold carefully to keep it airy and light.

4. Use parchment and grease it

This ensures the cake releases cleanly from the pan. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.

5. Chill before slicing

A chilled cake holds its shape better, giving you cleaner slices and neater swirls.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This cake roll is great for making in advance.

To store:

Keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it sit out for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

To freeze:

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Variations You Can Try

This cake roll is wonderfully versatile. Here are a few fun twists:

Lemon Berry Roll

Add lemon zest to the sponge and use blueberry or raspberry preserves instead of strawberry.

Chocolate Strawberry Roll

Make a chocolate sponge (swap ¼ cup of flour for cocoa powder) and keep the strawberry cheesecake filling.

Holiday Version

Use cranberry jam and orange zest in the filling for a festive spin around the holidays.

Final Thoughts

A Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Roll isn’t just a dessert. It’s a statement. It tells your guests that you went the extra mile, that you wanted to create something a little special. And even though it looks like it belongs behind a glass pastry case, it’s totally doable in your home kitchen.

There’s something deeply satisfying about making a cake roll. Maybe it’s the way it comes together — layer by layer, swirl by swirl. Or maybe it’s the joy on someone’s face when they take that first bite. Either way, it’s the kind of recipe that sticks with you, the kind that gets requested again and again.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting brunch, or just looking for a reason to bake something lovely, this Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Roll is the perfect choice.

So grab your eggs, whip that cream, and start rolling. You’ve got this.