This classic cake is a classic in Puerto Rican culture. The soft and light cake is brushed with a spiced rum simple syrup, then rolled into a guava sauce and coconut whipped cream to create the perfect combination of Caribbean flavors.






Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
Ingredients
Swiss Roll Cake
- 1 1/4 cups (198g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 1/2 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/3 cup sugar (279g)
Spiced Rum Simple Syrup
Guava Sauce
Coconut Whipped Cream
Instructions
Swiss Roll Cake
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a sheet pan, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and grease the top of the parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix the eggs and sugar at high speed for 5 minutes, or until thick and fluffy.
- Add the cold water and lime juice to egg and sugar mixture. Whisk until combined.
- Add dry ingredients to wet in mixing bowl using a silicone spatula to fold until combined.
- Pour mixture to sheet pan. Make sure mixture is leveled on all sides.
- Tap the pan against counter to get any air bubbles out from the mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Check for doneness by sticking a toothpick in the middle of the cake and making sure it comes out clean.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Cover the cake with a towel and wrap with aluminum foil to lock in moisture.
Rum Simple Syrup
- Add water, brown sugar, and rum to small saucepan.
- Place saucepan in medium high heat.
- Stir until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Continue cooking until mixture reaches a boil.
- Set syrup aside to cool down.
Guava Sauce
- Cut guava paste into small pieces and throw in saucepan.
- Add water and brown sugar to saucepan.
- Place saucepan in medium low heat until guava paste has melted completely.
- Add spiced rum to guava mixture and turn heat to low for 5 minutes.
- Set guava sauce aside to cool down.
Coconut Whipped Cream
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix coconut cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add heavy cream to mixture and whisk until desired texture. Set aside.
Assembly
- Wait until cake has completely cooled to begin assembly.
- Brush the spiced rum simple syrup onto the surface of the cake.
- Spread the guava sauce and coconut whipped cream onto the cake by creating alternating 3 inch wide stripes all over the surface.
- Use the towel to roll the cake. It is best to roll the cake fast but not add too much pressure to prevent cracking.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the roll for decoration.
Buen provecho!

