Raspberry Swiss Roll Layer Cake (No Bake!}

A few weeks ago, my husband and I had an amazing dinner with friends.  It was a gorgeous home cooked meal, with all of the fixings, great wine and even better company.  When dessert rolled around, my girlfriend brought out a simple trifle, layered with raspberry swiss rolls, fresh berries and pudding.  She kind of apologized for its simplicity and stated it was one of her husbands favourites.  It was so good!  Very simple, but light tasting, fresh and so moist.   I enjoyed it so much, and couldn’t quite put a finger on why it was such a familiar, and happy, taste to me.

Driving home from errands a few days later it dawned on me.  It was the swiss rolls!   It was that spongy cake and sweet raspberry center that brought a flood of memories back.   I remember staying at my grandmothers, my Mémé’s, as a teenager.  My Pépé had passed, and I was staying with her to keep her company.  We discovered at that time, that we both had the terrible habit of waking in the night to eat something sweet.   I’m not sure that it’s hereditary, but what a coincidence to discover that we both would end up in the kitchen in the night to nibble on something sweet with a glass of tea or milk.   I remember our surprise, “you do this too?!” and our pleasure at sharing this naughty habit (something it took me years to break).   I can still hear her, as she giggled about it.  At Mémé’s, when I was there, the midnight offering was a slice or two of raspberry swiss rolls.  She always put the slices on little saucers, and often, we would snack without much talking, and then both of us would head straight back to bed.

It’s funny how some foods can trigger such amazing memories and feelings sometimes.  Just thinking about those sleepovers made me feel so happy and nostalgic for the time she was here.  My grandmother was a tiny woman, with a gigantic heart, who was immensely proud of her family.  When I was newly married, she moved back to her home town to live in a retirement home, over 2000 kilometers away.  I mourned her absence and visited and wrote to her often.  I was lucky enough to fly down and sit with her, many years later, as she drew her very last breath.  She was probably one of the most influential women in my life, and still is very much with me in spirit today, especially as I have recently become a Mémé myself.

Just a few days ago I decided to track down those swiss rolls and use them to make a simple and fresh dessert of my own.  I layered slices of them in a springform pan with vanilla pudding.  The cake was left in the fridge overnight, and just before serving I piled it high with whipped topping and fresh berries.   I was so pleased with the results.  It was super moist, slightly sweet from the swiss rolls and bursting with fresh fruit.  Kind of like trifle, but in cake form.  It was an ideal make ahead dessert too, and something easily prepped the night before.  The hardest part of the dessert was finding the swiss rolls.  Having never purchased them myself, I finally found them in the bakery department of my local grocery store.  And oh boy was I excited about those rolls!  I bought every package they had on the shelf!

I’m completely okay with using instant pudding and store-bought layers for this cake.  There’s a time for beautiful, scratch made layer cakes and there’s a time for easy, family style desserts with memories and stories behind them.  Even though Mémé never made this cake, it’s my twist on one of her favourite treats and it certainly reminds me of the love of sweets we shared.  Who knew a no bake layer cake could be so easy and so tasty!

Have you got a food, smell or taste that triggers happy memories for you?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy baking friends,

Renee

xo

 

• 2 400 gram packages of Raspberry Swiss Roll, sliced in 1″ pieces
• 3 packages of instant vanilla pudding
• 5 cups of half and half cream
• 2 cups whipped topping
• fresh fruit for garnish

 

1. Line an 8″ or 9″ springform pan with parchment, as best you can, by cutting a circle for the bottom and a long rectangle for the side.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the pudding mixes and half and half cream, for about 2 minutes, set aside.
2. Layer the slices of Swiss Roll in the bottom of the pan, being sure to tuck pieces close together for a snug fit.  Spread 1 1/2 cups of pudding on top of the layer.  Repeat two more times.  Add a final layer of Swiss Roll on top ( I sliced the top layer about 1/2″ only).  Refrigerate overnight.   Keep any unused pudding for serving.
3. Before serving, carefully remove from the springform pan and set the cake on a platter.  Use a spatula to spread any remaining pudding on the sides.  Top with whipped topping and fresh fruit.  The cake will keep, covered, for a few days in the refrigerator.