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The full Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Roll before being sliced, dusted with cocoa powder and sitting on a piece of parchment paper.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Roll: The Ultimate Swirl of Decadence

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Roll features a moist, rich chocolate sponge cake wrapped around a light, fluffy peanut butter cream filling. Our foolproof recipe guides you to a perfect, crack-free swirl of decadent dessert heaven every time.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Cake
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs separated
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
For the Peanut Butter Filling
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 ounces unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan
  • 1 Electric Mixer
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

Baking the Chocolate Sponge Cake
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until light and pale. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar, followed by the oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  5. In a separate, clean bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  6. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate batter in two or three additions.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
  8. Lay a clean kitchen towel on the counter and dust generously with confectioners' sugar. Immediately invert the hot cake onto the towel. Peel off the parchment paper. Starting from a short end, roll the warm cake up with the towel inside. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Making the Peanut Butter Filling
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth.
  2. Beat in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until light and fluffy.
Assembling the Cake Roll
  1. Once the cake is completely cool, gently unroll it. Spread the peanut butter filling evenly over the cake, leaving a small border around the edges.
  2. Carefully reroll the cake (without the towel).
  3. Wrap the cake roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Do not overbake the cake: An overbaked cake is dry and more prone to cracking. Watch it closely.
Roll it while hot: This is the most critical step to 'train' the cake into a rolled shape and prevent cracking.
Cool it completely: Ensure the cake is fully cool before filling to prevent the filling from melting.