Mexican strawberry roll cake, or "rollo de fresa" as it is called in Mexico, is a delicious dessert loved by many, especially at birthday parties. It's typically served with fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries. This cake recipe will show you how to make the perfect strawberry cream roll cake from scratch!
Do you love a classic strawberries and cream dessert? So do I! My mama used to make this cake for our family celebrations all the time and it is still to this day one of my favorites. It's also one of her favorites and always requests I make this rolled cake for her birthday.
In This Post
I know, I know, you must be thinking how can this strawberry roll cake possibly be an authentic Mexican Dessert. And, that is okay, but for some generations of Mexicans, this is something they have seen all their lives being sold at local bakeries and on some occasions taking the place of the traditional birthday cake.
This indulgent cake is sold filled with different kinds of fruit fillings, such as mangos and peaches, but strawberries (fresas or frutillas) are the most famous of them all. I guess the young people in my country don’t even think about where this yummy treat came from because they grew up seeing it all their lives, especially if you live in the city!
History Behind Rollo De Fresa
This cake has different names according to the region you are in. It is called:
- “Brazo Gitano” (gypsy arm)- more commonly in the south and in Latin American countries where it is also filled with fruit jelly.
- “Niño Envuelto” (wrapped boy)
- "Rollo de Fruta” (fruit roll)
- "Buche de Noel” (Christmas Yule Log) in France.
In Spain, however, besides the sweet recipe, they also have a salty version filled with cold meats and it is served sliced as an appetizer. There is a story about how it got the name “gypsy arm”. As with most other pieces of bread in Mexico, it came from Spain or France, I believe one of those countries must take credit for this recipe, anyway, they really enriched our gastronomy in so many ways.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roll Cakes
Before I share this recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked and wanted to answer.
What flavor does this cake have?
The flavors in Mexican Strawberry Roll Cake will vary depending on the berries used - I like to use fresh strawberries but raspberries work too! This dessert has a sweet taste due to the syrup brushed onto each layer of sponge before they're rolled up together into one delicious treat.
It's often served with whipped cream and diced fruit such as banana, strawberry, or pineapple.
Can I use frozen strawberries in this roll cake recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries but it won't taste the same as when you use fresh strawberries. Just make sure you let them soften before mashing and stirring into the batter.
Why does my cake roll keep cracking?
If the cake cracks as it is being rolled up, then you didn't let it cool long enough. The best way to prevent this from happening in future recipes is by wrapping a damp cloth around your rolled cake.
What is the best way to store this strawberry cake?
Whipped cream and fresh fruit can be added to this roll cake for an even richer dessert but it tastes great without them too! If you're not going to eat all of the roll cake, I suggest cutting it into slices and storing it in a tightly covered container.
It will last about three days if kept refrigerated or up to two weeks when stored at room temperature.
Do I need any special equipment before beginning?
There are no specific cooking utensils needed aside from a:
- Food processor
- Mixer with beaters
- Baking pan(s)
- Spatula/spoon
- Bowls
- Measuring cups/spoons for ingredients
Can I make this strawberry roll cake in advance?
Absolutely! The roll cakes can be made up to a week ahead of time. Once they're cooled, all you need to do is wrap them tightly with food-safe plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you're ready for dessert.
Mexican Strawberry Roll Cake Recipe
This cake recipe with fresh fresas is a great dessert to serve at family picnics or get-togethers during the summer:
Here's what you need:
- White sugar
- Eggs (separate egg whites and yolks)
- Mexican vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Butter (melted and cooled)
- Fresh Strawberries
- Heavy cream
- Confectioners sugar
Note: This recipe has been adapted from a small booklet that came inside the box of my first set of glass baking dishes a long, long time ago. The name of the book is “Platillos, Platos y Platones”
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make Strawberry Cream Roll Cake: Step By Step Tutorial
To make things easier for you, I am going to break down the directions to this recipe into sections.
Note: Before you start baking anything, first, line an 11x16 cookie sheet with parchment paper or buttered and floured waxed paper. Set it aside. I am very generous with the buttering part to avoid any accidents with the batter.
Make The Cake Batter
- Combine the sugar, vanilla, and yolks in a bowl and beat until it changes to a lighter color.
- Mix the flour and the baking powder in a separate bowl.
- Beat the egg whites until they hold firm and form peaks.
- Now, with a wire whisk, add the egg yolk mixture and beat into the batter.
- Then, using a rubber spatula, add the flour-baking powder blend into the egg white batter. Make sure to fold it in evenly.
- Finally, fold in the melted butter.
Bake The Cake
- Pour into the prepared pan smoothing the batter evenly so that it touches all sides.
- Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the batter begins to shrink from the sides of the pan.
- When it's done, cover with a wet kitchen towel.
Roll The Cake
- After it has cooled down, carefully invert the cookie sheet over a flat surface (the towel is under the cake).
- Remove the pan and lift the parchment paper.
- Slowly start rolling the sponge cake without pressing it. Let it cool for about 30 minutes rolled in the wet kitchen towel.
Make Cream Filling
- While the cake is cooling, whip the heavy cream with a beater or electric mixer until it begins to hold shape.
- Add the confectioner's sugar and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla, and continue to whip until the cream is stiff.
- Keep refrigerated.
Add Filling To Cake Roll
- Once the cake is cooled, unroll and spread some of the whipped cream in a thin layer.
- Place the sliced fruit as shown in the picture.
- Roll up tightly with the help of the towel leaving the cake seam side down.
- With a spatula, spread the rest of the whipped cream over the top and sides of the roll and garnish with the whole strawberries.
Your strawberry cream roll cake is now ready!
What To Serve With Strawberry Cake
This cake is so delicious on its own. To really make it yummy, I highly recommend making some Cafe Con Leche to serve with a slice of cake!
More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe for rollo de fresa, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
I hope you make this Mexican strawberry roll cake! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Cream Roll Cake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar for batter plus ½ cup for the whipping cream
- 6 eggs separate egg whites and yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla one for the batter and one for the whipping cream
- ½ cup of flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 stick butter melted and cooled
- 1 pound of strawberries washed and cut in small pieces leaving some whole for decoration.
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup of confectioners sugar or more if you like sweeter
Instructions
- First line an 11 by 16 cookie sheet with parchment paper or buttered and floured waxed paper. Set aside. I am very generous with the buttering part to avoid any accidents with the batter.
- Combine the sugar, one teaspoon of vanilla and the yolks in a bowl and beat until it changes to a lighter color. Mix the flour and the baking powder in a separated container. All this is in preparation for the assembly of the batter.
- Beat the egg whites until they hold firm and form peaks. Now with a wire whisk add the egg yolk mixture and beat into the batter. Then using a rubber spatula place the flour-baking powder blend, in a folding manner. Go as fast as you can to avoid a grainy texture. Finally, fold in the melted butter.
- Pour into the prepared pan smoothing the batter evenly so that it touches all sides.
- Bake in a preheated 400 oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the batter begins to shrink from the sides of the pan. When done, cover with a wet kitchen towel.
- Carefully invert the cookie sheet over a flat surface (the towel is under the cake) remove the pan and lift the parchment paper.
- Slowly start rolling the sponge cake without pressing it. Let it cool for about 30 minutes rolled in the wet kitchen towel.
- While the cake is cooling, whip the cream until it begins to hold shape, add the confectioner’s sugar and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla, and continue to whip until the cream is stiff. Keep refrigerated.
- Once the cake is cooled unroll and spread it with some of the whipped cream and place the fruit as shown in the picture.
- Roll up tightly with the help of the towel leaving the cake seam side down. With a spatula spread the rest of the whipped cream over the top and sides of the roll and garnish with the whole strawberries.
Karen
Looks delicious! I have a couple of questions - doesn't the cake stick to the wet towel? And for the ingredients, 1/2 cup sugar for the cream repeats twice, I'm guessing only 1/2 cup is required for the cream, not 1 cup?
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Mely Martínez
Hello Karen,
The wet towel doesn't stick to the cake. The sugar is only mentioned once in the recipe card and also in the directions. Please, let me know here in the post we duplicate it in order to edit that part.
Sweetdelightscakes
Hey great recipe, I played with the filling, I used 8 oz of cream cheese, about a 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of Dulce de Leche spread, 1/4 cup of Conffectioners sugar and 3 tbsp of French Vanilla Kahlua Coffee Liqueur and let me tell you it was awesome....
Mely
Great combination Sweetdelightscakes.
Thank you for sharing it. Now I also want to try your own version.
Happy cooking
Marianela
Hola!! Mely, muchisimas gracias por todas esas recetas deliciosas que compartes. Yo actualmente vivo en College Station,Texas y muero por hacer el queso, la masa para tortillas y este rollo de fresa que me recuerda mucho a mi papá ya que es su preferido y muy seguido se lo compraba en Tampico ahora el vive en Veracruz y ahi es dificil encontrarlo, asi que si me sale en cuanto vaya a visitarlo le hare su rollo preferido. Gracias nuevamente por compartir todas estas recetas deliciosas y que a los que vivimos en el extrajero nos hacerca a nuestro pais.
Chelsea Perez
I started cookimg this and reading through the it I got confused because it never said what to do with the egg whites after you whip them it only tells what to do with egg yolks
Mely
Hello Chelsea,
Right below the picture it says: "Beat the egg whites until they hold firm and form peaks. Now with a wire whisk add the egg yolk mixture and beat into the batter."
What it means is to add the egg yolks with the egg whites batter.
I hope this helps.
Thank you for your comment, it gives me the opportunity to check this recipe and edit what is needed.
Mely
Chelsea Perez
Lol ok thank you thay makes a lot more since
Candace
What an absolutely beautiful dessert, Mely! I've always been so intimidated to even try to make a dessert roll; but, your instructions encourage me to give it a try with the fresh berries that I just washed. Thank you for sharing this with us! Have a beautiful weekend!
Katie @ This Chick Cooks
Oh my goodness! What a lovely cake. It looks so delicious with the yummy fresh fruit! I'm your newest follower. Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Katie
PS- I host a recipe swap on Wednesdays and I'd love for you to stop by and share a recipe if you get a chance.
Roz from 'la bella vita'
Thank you SO much for sharing this lovely dessert on Fresh Food Friday over on my blog 'la bella vita'..... It was selected as one of the best submitted recipes from last week and is featured today on Fresh Food Friday....I hope you stop by to check it out and add another great recipe of yours!
Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads
I'm visiting for Bella Vita. This cake roll looks amazing. I think I'll make this for Father's Day.
Erin @ EKat's Kitchen
LOVELY! I adore cakes with amazing fruits. Thanks for linking up with Friday Potluck!
Donna
oooooooooooo...that is just SOOOO very pretty. Perfect way to use up all those great berries right now:)
Nicole Feliciano
Gorgeous. Great recipe to share on Friday Food over at Momtrends.
Mexico in my kitchen
Hello Crispy,
Gracias por tu comentario, ojala te encante tanto el postre como en casa nos gusta.
Thanks for following.
Mely
Crispy♥
hello! i´m Cris, from Spain! I was looking for a "brazo de gitano" made with strawberries, and I guess I found it! Thank you 🙂 I like your other recipes so i´ll follow you to get more great ideas to cook. See you around!
Jackie
That looks absolutely aaamazing! You do beautiful work. 🙂
Christy
I have to bookmark this for the summer when strawberries are fresh and plentiful - because this treat looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop!
OLGUIS
wow que rico.
Saludos
olguis.
Lori
OMG forgive my complacency. I saw my face already signed up to follow your blog. he he he.
Lori
OMG. Thank you for visiting my site. I am so glad to have found you. I am always looking for some good Mexican cooking blogs.
Let me know how the cookies come out and what you think.
Mely (mimk)
Hi there! Figtree that picture still makes me drool. Thanks for stopping by.
Hello Hot garlic, Thanks for your comment. I also love your great food ideas.
hot garlic
That is so beautiful! Your photography is just stunning! I love this blog!
Thanks also for your sweet comment, much appreciated!
figtree
Your 1st photo makes me DROOL! What a delicious dessert.Figtreeapps
NORA
WAU MELY!!!
Esta de lujo tu pastel rollo de fresas!! Y tienes razón hemos crecido comiendolo y viendolo en las pastelerías. Veo cosas nuevas en tu blog
Cada día está mejor! Te felicito por tus recetas, tus fotos y tus reportajes. Excelentes!
Besos.
Mely (mimk)
Hey! Tlaz, that is a really great mix! Thanks a lot for the details about the Tronchetto dolce di Natale, I will give a try this winter. I also like to bake the Panettone for Christmas and I hope you can send me your recipe.
Byte64
It must be delicious, Mely!
During winter, you can have it with a different filling, made with chestnut jam (or even better smashing boiled chestnuts mixed with some whipped cream) and coated with cholocate, it is called "tronchetto dolce di Natale" (sweet Christmas trunk)
Tlaz
Angela
Wow! This is a gorgeous dessert with delicious looking strawberries. I love how eggy and crepe-like the cake part looks too. Yum!
Jessie
ohhhh I would love to have a slice of that right now!
Mely (mimk)
Hi Maritza,
Thanks for visiting, and yes it brings back memories of the "Super Cream" bakery. Thanks for
visiting.
Maritza, Fredy y Jordan
Hi, I've been introduced to your blog when I saw some recipes from Nora, and I know you are from Tampico as I am, and that reminds me a lot of the rollo de fresa from Supercream, isn't it? I think I want to bake it, yum!
mathildescuisine
A one-way ticket to heaven!
doggybloggy
wow - so nice thanks for the step by step - and the tip of rolling it while it cools is key!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
Que delicioso!
This looks like something my husband would love. He loves pumpkin roll with cream cheese icing... but I think these flavors would be perfect for the spring/summer!