Experimenting with this simple sponge base with different flavours, I came up with a mandarin and black sesame pairing that's just delicious.
Ingredients
Black Sesame Sponge
– 120g plain flour
5g ( 1/2 tsp) baking powder 1 tbs black sesame paste
1/2 tbs black sesame seeds 1 pinch sea salt 5 free range eggs, separated 100g sugar 45ml milk
icing sugar for dusting
Whipped Coconut Cream –
1 can full fat coconut milk (that has been chilled for two days)
1 tbs caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla bean paste Note: Pop bowl and beater in the fridge to chill
Filling –
Mandarin segments
Black Sesame Sponge
Line a jelly roll pan or deep baking dish with parchment paper and set aside a clean tea towel. Preheat oven to 200° C.
In a medium sized bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and milk until pale yellow and thick. Add the black sesame paste and seeds, mix and set aside.
In a stand mixer, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Add the flour mixture to the yolk mixture and fold until combined. Add in the egg whites in thirds, folding them in each time until just combined. The texture should be light, thick but slightly fluffy.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen it. Let cool slightly.
Turn out the sponge onto the tea towel lined with baking paper. Starting from the shorter edge, roll the cake into to create a loose log to shape, doing this when the cake is warm avoids cracks.
Allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
Whipped Coconut Cream
Grab your bowl and beaters from the fridge.
Open the tinned coconut milk upside down, the liquid will be on the top and the fat will be at the bottom.
Pour out the liquid and save for another use (I add to smoothies or curries). Scoop the cream out and add to the chilled bowl. Add sugar and vanilla and whip until light and fluffy.
To Serve
When the cake roll is at room temperature, gently unroll it and move to a sheet of baking paper. Evenly spread the whipped cream across the surface and arrange the mandarin segments on top.
Gently and firmly re-roll it and wrap in cling film, pop in the fridge.
Take it out of the fridge to come to room temperature when you're ready to eat.