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Hazelnut Swiss Roll

17/11/2023

The hazelnut swiss roll is a luscious and sophisticated dessert that is part of the Italian patisserie tradition, perfect to serve as a dessert at the end of a meal or for a special snack. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 120g of sugar
  • 120g of flour
  • 40g of finely chopped hazelnuts
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • A pinch of salt
  • Powdered sugar (for decoration)
  • 250ml of fresh whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (for the cream)
  • 2 tablespoons of hazelnut paste or Nutella (for filling)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
  2. Separate the yolks from the whites and beat the latter until stiff with a pinch of salt.
  3. In a bowl, whisk the yolks with the sugar until you get a light and foamy mixture.
  4. Add the sifted flour with baking powder to the chopped hazelnuts, stirring gently with movements from bottom to top to not deflate the mixture.
  5. Incorporate the beaten egg whites, blending carefully to keep the batter soft and airy.
  6. Pour the batter onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leveling it with a spatula.
  7. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and the cake is cooked but still soft.
  8. Once baked, flip the sponge cake onto a damp tea towel and gently spread it out. Roll it up with the towel and let it cool in this position.
  9. In the meantime, whip the cream with the 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until it forms stiff peaks.
  10. Gently unroll the sponge cake, spread a thin layer of hazelnut paste or Nutella, and cover with the whipped cream.
  11. Roll the sponge cake again, this time without the tea towel, to form the roll.
  12. Wrap the roll in parchment paper or plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
  13. When ready to serve, dust the roll with powdered sugar, and if you wish, decorate with chopped or whole hazelnuts.

Curiosity

This type of dessert is very popular in Italy, especially during the holidays. Italians love to prepare sweet rolls with different fillings, such as chocolate cream, jam, or custard. The hazelnut paste gives the roll an intense and unique flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cream.

And now, bon appétit! If you’re looking for a wine pairing, a sweet dessert wine or a Moscato d’Asti would be an excellent choice.

Hazelnut Swiss Roll