Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a collection of recipes which were posted daily for a period of ten years from 2008 to 2018. We have over 3,000 delicious recipes that we invite you to try. The recipes can be accessed in our recipe file by category or you can use the search engine.

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Jelly Roll



I pulled this recipe out of my mom's recipe book not that long ago
knowing it would be a hit. My husband is not a big dessert lover,
but mom knew that this was one he would enjoy.
After the first bite, we both said at the same time...
"this tastes just like being at mom's".

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups flour, sifted twice
  • 1 1/4 cups jam

  1. Beat together very well, eggs, baking powder, and salt until creamy yellow and thick.
  2. Gradually add sugar, beating well.
  3. Sift flour several times. Add sifted flour to egg mixture and gently fold together until all the flour is incorporated.
  4. Line a 13"x18" baking sheet with wax paper. Lightly rub it with softened butter and then sprinkle it sparingly with flour. Pour batter into the pan.
  5. Bake in 350ยบ oven for 25-30 minutes. The cake will be light in colour and spring back when gently touched in the centre, or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over bake.
  6. Immediately invert onto a clean cotton tea towel that is generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. Pull off wax paper.
  7. Working quickly spread jam over hot sheet cake and starting at the short end, roll hot cake using the tea towel to help roll. Some of the jam may run out the ends...not to worry.
  8. Once you have it rolled up, keep the tea towel over it and 'tuck it in'. The steam from the hot cake helps to keep the cake moist as it cools.
  9. As soon as the cake has cooled remove the towel and place on a serving tray. Dust with more powdered sugar.
from the kitchen of
recipe file

22 comments:

  1. GaylaJune 7, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    Oh my, I used to make this a lot! Thanks for the reminder. Beautiful photo!

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  2. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    Maybe this is a real oddball request, but... is there any way you could doctor the already-oh-so-fun picture at the head of your blog so that your individual names appear when a person slides their mouse pointer over the individual women's photo? When I read the recipes, and then I get to the end, where it says whose recipe it is, then somehow I want to connect it to one of the dear women up top. Thank you - individually, and all together - for your sharing here. Recipes are pretty special, no? :)
    ~an appreciative reader

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  3. PickingUpStitchesJune 7, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Looks delicious!

    I have the same china pattern (inheirited from my grandmother's aunt). =)

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  4. Lovella ♥June 7, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Dear Appreciative reader. I sure do know what you mean about putting faces to names. We always love to click on our commenters that have blogs. .and see what they are about. Our stories with our pictures are all in the book. Revealing who we are. .is part of the gift in return for partnering with us to feed some hungry kids.
    Lovella

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  5. Thoughts on Life and Millinery.June 7, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    I used to beg my mom to make a jelly roll! When I married decades ago I got a jelly roll pan, which gets used in big batch cookie making when an extra sheet is needed. Thanks for reminding me that little Jill is all grown up and can make her own jelly roll now!

    Lovella-The roll over picture identification sounds like a Stuart project to me. Perhaps his services can be bought with a generous jelly roll serving?

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  6. JulieJune 7, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Soo pretty, Kathy! Love your china and wondered if that was your mom's.....:) I always think of Canada when I see pretty China. I loved seeing Grandma Janzen's tea cups in that high cupboard. Do you remember?

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  7. AmandaJune 7, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Oh that sounds so delicious!!! And actually, it doesn't sound that hard. Thank you so much for posting recipes :)

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  8. Bev KJune 7, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    I've never heard of putting the jam in before rolling it up. What a great idea. So often I've had trouble with the cake cracking when I re-roll it after filling it. Thanks, Kathy.

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  9. ellen b.June 7, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Oh this looks so good. Beautiful for a shower...

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  10. AnitaJune 7, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    i have those exact same dishes, oh yah and the recipe looks good too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooksJune 7, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I have that same set of china!

    My husband would love this cake. I know they were popular during his mother's time (she would have been in her 90s now).

    I'm print this one out!

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  12. HuskerbabeJune 7, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    I haven't seen a jelly roll since I was a kid. Think I'll have to make this this week. :)

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  13. LynnJune 7, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    My mom used to make this! I haven't had it in many years. Thanks for the reminder of my mom who has been with Jesus for a decade. Sweet memories:-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. LorrieJune 7, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Oh my goodness - this reminds me of my Mom! Those are even her dishes! My mom made her jelly roll exactly like this, and always used raspberry jam. She had a specific tea towel which was designated as the "jelly roll tea towel". I need to remind her that she has probably not made this for about 30 years and its time to find that tea towel.

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  15. Sharon LovejoyJune 7, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    I love this. It is so old fashioned and cozy.

    Thanks a million-jelly rolls to all!

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    ReplyDelete
  16. Arlene DelloroJune 7, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Haven't made one of these in ages. You've inspired me; I want to make one with Nutella and raspberry preserves.

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  17. ClareJune 7, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Yes, this reminds me of my Mom too -- she often made jelly rolls and they always turned out. Mine, not so much, but this has inspired me to try again. Thanks.

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  18. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    I apologize for presuming. Please forgive me. It won't happen again.

    ReplyDelete
  19. KathyJune 7, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Dear Anonymous......Kathy here!:) you need not feel you have to apologize. You were most kind in your comment and I know how nice it is to put a name to a face. I've seen that done before and it is a nice quick way to identify a person. BTW.....I'm the one on the far left. Thanks for being our guest here at MGCC.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Quay Po CooksJune 8, 2011 at 3:42 AM

    I always thought it is very hard to make jelly roll but going through your recipe, it does not seem that difficult to do. I think I can handle this. Lovely photo.

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  21. AnonymousJune 9, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Wow Kath!....looks just like Mom's!! The picture looks great & I can almost taste this luscious dessert! You made it perfectly! I think I might try to make it again. Rhoda

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  22. AnneJune 11, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    I plan to try this with my gluten free flour mix. My mother-in-law makes this and fills it with lemon curd. I haven't had one since I had to go gluten free.

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