Light and Fluffy Cotton Candy Swiss Roll

For the Cotton Candy Filling:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring or extract (this can be found online or at specialty stores)
• Pink and blue food coloring (optional, for a pastel look)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making a Cotton Candy Swiss Roll requires a few simple steps, but the results are absolutely worth it! Follow these directions to achieve a soft, fluffy, and visually stunning treat.

1. Prepare the Sponge Cake

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. This will make it easier to remove the cake later.
• Whisk the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Beat the egg yolks: In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with ½ cup of sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. This can take about 3 minutes.
• Beat the egg whites: In another clean bowl, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add ½ cup of sugar and continue beating until the egg whites are stiff and glossy.
• Combine the two mixtures: Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the beaten egg whites, taking care not to deflate the mixture. Once combined, sift in the dry ingredients and fold them in as well, until the batter is smooth and uniform.

2. Bake the Sponge Cake

• Spread the batter: Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
• Bake the cake: Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cake is lightly golden and springs back when touched. You don’t want it to be too dry, so keep an eye on it.
• Cool the cake: Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully roll it up in the parchment paper while it’s still warm, creating a loose roll. This step helps the cake maintain its shape when you unroll it later.

3. Make the Cotton Candy Filling

• Whip the cream: In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Add the flavoring: Gently fold in the cotton candy extract and a few drops of food coloring (if desired). You can use both pink and blue food coloring to create a fun pastel swirl effect.
• Taste and adjust: If the flavor isn’t strong enough, add more cotton candy flavoring to suit your taste.

4. Assemble the Swiss Roll

• Unroll the cake: Carefully unroll the sponge cake and remove the parchment paper.
• Spread the filling: Evenly spread the cotton candy whipped cream filling over the cake, leaving a small border along the edges.
• Re-roll the cake: Gently roll the cake back up, starting from one of the shorter ends. Be sure to roll it tightly but carefully, so the filling doesn’t spill out.
• Chill the cake: Place the rolled cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set. This will help the roll hold its shape and make it easier to slice.

5. Serve and Enjoy

• Slice and serve: After chilling, slice the roll into even pieces. The spiral of pink and blue cotton candy filling will be a showstopper as you cut through it.
• Garnish: If you’d like, you can dust the top with powdered sugar or top it with additional whipped cream for an extra touch of sweetness.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overmix the batter: When folding the dry ingredients and egg yolk mixture into the egg whites, be gentle. Overmixing can result in a dense cake.
• Keep the cake moist: Be sure to roll the cake while it’s still warm to prevent cracking later. Rolling it in parchment paper helps it maintain the perfect texture.
• Use high-quality cotton candy flavoring: The cotton candy flavor is the star of this dessert, so make sure to use a high-quality cotton candy extract for the best taste.

Conclusion: A Sweet, Whimsical Treat

This Cotton Candy Swiss Roll is a perfect dessert for any occasion, combining the nostalgia of cotton candy with the elegance of a rolled cake. Its light, fluffy texture, sweet filling, and eye-catching swirl of pastel colors make it a true standout. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a treat for a special occasion, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this dessert is sure to impress.

So, next time you’re in the mood for a fun, flavorful, and visually stunning dessert, grab your ingredients and make this Cotton Candy Swiss Roll—it’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe book!