An IMPRESSIVE 16-Layer Brazilian Chocolate Cake Roll filled and frosted with chocolate ganache and garnished with berries. A modern version of the classic seventeenth century “Bolo de Rolo” from my home state of Pernambuco.
About Bolo de Rolo
This 16-Layer Brazilian Chocolate Cake Roll, known in Brazil as “Bolo de Rolo de Chocolate,” is an unique delicacy from the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco.
It is a jelly roll-like cake with some distinctive features. Foremostly, its numerous, fine layers made up of thin sheets of chocolate cake alternating with rich chocolate ganache filling.
Our Chocolate Bolo de Rolo recipe is one of the modern variations on the classic centuries-old “Bolo de Rolo tradicional .” That refers to a white cake roll filled with melted guava paste, sprinkled over with a dusting of granulated sugar.
In fact, “bolo de rolo” is so important to the culture and gastronomy of Brazil that in 2008 Pernambuco passed a law to officially designate it as a cultural legacy of the state. It’s a frequent highlight on the menus of most cafés, bakeries, some restaurants, and even food venues at the airport.
Our version is prepared with almost the same ingredients used for the classic guava roll. The biggest difference is the addition of cocoa powder to the cake batter. Plus it has a rich chocolate ganache that replaces the traditional melted guava paste for the filling.
The chocolate cake roll is so popular that has been imported by special order to many different countries around the world such as Portugal, England, France, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
In Brazil, one can encounter “bolo de rolo” with various different fillings (chocolate, dulce de leche, sweet prune paste, coconut, passion fruit, and so on).
But the only two things that never change are: the thinness and the large number of its many layers.
Finally, our 16-Layer Brazilian Chocolate Cake Roll can either be served as a dessert or snack all by itself, or warmed up and served with ice cream.
It also happens to be the perfect companion for cafezinho (a small cup of strong coffee). 😉
How To Make 16-Layer Brazilian Chocolate Cake Roll (Bolo de Rolo de Chocolate)
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Prepare the cake batter: In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed for about 2 minutes.
At slow speed, gradually add sugar, then beat for 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is homogeneous and creamy.
Add the yolks one by one, beating at low speed after each addition until just incorporated.
Then, at low speed, gradually add flour and cocoa powder until you have a homogeneous cake batter, scraping down the batter from the sides of the bowl a few times.
Beat the egg whites until stiff. Using a spatula, gently fold in the egg whites (do not beat).
Grease and flour 8 (10 x 15-inch) jelly roll pans and pour about 1 cup of batter into each. Spread the batter into a very thin and uniform layer covering the bottom of each sheet pan using an offset icing spatula.
Bake the first layer of cake for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes (but do not let the cake brown) and reserve the others.
MEANWHILE, prepare the cake filling. Heat heavy cream in the microwave to just before the boiling point.
Pour into a bowl with chocolate chips and stir well until chocolate has completely melted and is smooth. Reserve close to a warm place so that the chocolate ganache won’t harden.
Remove cake from the oven and place baking sheet on a counter lined with a clean kitchen linen or towel.
Since this cake is thin and delicate, here’s a great technique to release it from the pan without breaking the layer. Gently run a butter knife around the edges to loosen the cake from pan, making it easier to unmold.
Next, spread a kitchen towel on top or parchment paper. Then place an empty and larger baking sheet pan on top of this, right side up, to sandwich the cake and towel between the two pans.
Finally, flip the whole assemblage over in order to release the cake from the pan that it baked in.
Remove what is now the top baking sheet pan, then gently slide the bottom pan from beneath the cake/towel.
Working quickly, spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache on top of the cake and then roll: Starting from one end, pull up the two adjacent corners along the short length of the towel to initiate rolling of the edge of the cake.
Continue supporting/pushing the rolling edge of the cake with the towel beneath as needed until you’ve completely rolled the cake layer.
The cake rolls more easily while still warm. Reserve rolled cake layer covered with towel so that it won’t dry.
Bake the next cake and then so on. Each rolled cake is then rolled into the subsequent sheet of cake that has been spread with the chocolate ganache.
If any breaks appear in cake, press break with fingers to seal while it is still warm.
Slice the 2 edges of the cake to remove rough, imperfect ends. If desired, either use the remaining chocolate ganache as a topping or sprinkle cake with granulated sugar.
Serve Brazilian chocolate cake roll sliced into thin slices by itself, along with a cup of coffee, or slightly warmed and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.
How to store chocolate cake roll
Store in an airtight container in the fridge (up to 7 days), or covered at room temp (up to 3 days). Freeze for up to 1 month. For this, wrap cake roll (without ganache) with parchment paper and then plastic wrap before freezing.
Let thaw before slicing!
Other chocolate treats:
- Chocolate cake in a mug
- Easter chocolate cake
- Brigadeiro
- Nutella tart
- Chocolate chip coconut cookies
- Chocolate braid
- Brigadeirao
- Flourless chocolate cake
PIN & ENJOY!
16-Layer Brazilian Chocolate Cake Roll
Equipment
- mixer
- oven
Ingredients
- 45 tbsp unsalted butter (= 5 sticks + 5 tbsp), at room temp ( plus more to grease baking sheets)
- 3 cups granulated sugar (plus 1 1/2 tbsp)
- 9 large ggs, at room temp (separate yolks from whites)
- 4 1/2 cups cups all-purpose flour, sifted (plus more to flour baking sheets)
- 1 cup baking cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 1/2 cups bittersweet or milk chocolate chips
- 5 strawberries, halved (optional) for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- For the cake batter: In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed for about 2 minutes. At a slow speed, gradually add the sugar, then beat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until mixture is homogeneous and creamy.
- Add the yolks one by one, beating at low speed after each addition until just incorporated. Then, at low speed, gradually add flour and cocoa powder until you have a homogeneous cake batter, scraping down the batter from the sides of the bowl a few times.
- Beat the egg whites until stiff in a separate bowl. Using a spatula, gently fold in the egg whites (do not beat). Grease and flour 8 (10 x 15-inch) jelly roll pans and pour about 1 cup of batter into each. Spread the batter into a very thin and uniform layer covering the bottom of each sheet pan using an offset icing spatula.
- Bake the first layer of cake for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes (but do not let the cake brown) and reserve the others.
- MEANWHILE, prepare the cake filling. Heat heavy cream in the microwave until just before boiling point. Pour into a bowl with chocolate chips and stir well until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Reserve close to a warm place so that the chocolate ganache won't harden.
- Rolling technique: Remove cake from the oven and place baking sheet on a counter lined with a clean kitchen linen or towel. Gently run a butter knife around the edges to loosen the cake from pan, making it easier to unmold.
- Next, spread a kitchen towel on top. Then place an empty and larger baking sheet pan on top of this, right side up, to sandwich the cake and towel between the two pans. Finally, flip the whole assemblage over in order to release the cake from the pan in which it was baked.
- Remove what is now the top baking sheet pan, and then gently slide the bottom pan from beneath the cake and towel. Working quickly, spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache on top of the cake and then roll: Starting from one end, pull up the two adjacent corners along the short length of the towel to initiate rolling of the edge of the cake.
- Continue supporting/pushing the rolling edge of the cake with the towel beneath as needed until the cake layer is completely rolled. The cake rolls more easily while still warm. Reserve rolled cake layer covered with towel so won't dry.
- Bake the next cake and then so on. Each rolled cake is then rolled into the next subsequent sheet of cake that has been spread with the chocolate ganache.
- TIP: If any breaks appear in cake, press break with fingers to seal while it is still warm.
- Last, slice the 2 edges of the cake to remove rough, imperfect ends. If desired, either use the remaining chocolate ganache as a topping or sprinkle cake with granulated sugar. Garnish with halved strawberries (optional).
- Serve (chilled or at room temp) cake roll sliced into thin slices by itself, along with a cup of coffee. or slightly warmed and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream.
Recipe Notes
- STORAGE: You can store Brazilian chocolate cake roll in the refrigerator for about 1 week, or at room temperature for up to 3 days -- in either case it should be covered in parchment paper and then plastic wrap. Cake can be frozen for up to 1 month.
- Love chocolate cake? Try our Flourless Choco Nut Cake.
Nutrition
SallyBR says
OMG!!!!! this brings me memories!
goes on my list of stuff to make… SOON!!
Denise Browning says
Hehe… so good to hear that Sally! It’s very popular in my home state Pernambuco. Something that can’t be find often where I live now so I gotta make it for my family. I hope you enjoy it!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Love the look of all the layers! I’ve heard of this but never had it. So thanks for the recipe so we can recreate it at home!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
So many layers of chocolate goodness! What a fabulous way to welcome the new season.
2pots2cook says
This is beautiful. It seems I could easily fit in since cafezinho ( ristretto espresso ) is my middle name 🙂
Healthy Kitchen 101 says
This cake roll looks briliant with 16 layers. I guess it must take a lot of creative time xD
– Natalie
Denise Browning says
Thank you Natalie! It is time consuming yet worth. So delicious!
HG Nadel says
Yummy… This is a delicious recipe.. Perfect for not just chocolate lovers.
Denise Browning says
Thank you so much! This is a treasured recipe from my home state in Brazil. Something that I love and really wanted to share with you all. Enjoy!
Holley says
Thanks for detailed recipe and tips. It is an impressive cake and I imagine a labor of love. I will try to make for V-day!
depobola.weebly.com says
A magnificent cake — and delicious too. Thanks for the recipe!