How to make a swiss roll

Swiss roll is an ingenious cake: it has the ‘ah’ factor yet it’s simply a light-as-air sponge rolled up with jam. Less is more here, and it requires just four everyday ingredients – caster sugar, plain flour, eggs and jam.

The eggs (which should be at room temperature) and caster sugar must be whisked for a full 10 minutes with an electric whisk, until pale and thick. It’s thick enough when it’s about three times the volume. When you lift out the whisk, the thick mixture that drips off should leave a trail on top of the rest.

Next, it’s crucial to fold in the flour with a sure but light touch – you don’t want to undo all that good whisking by knocking out the air. The tablespoon of water is a breeze to fold in and simply loosens the mixture to help it flow evenly into the corners of the tin (you may need to help it with the spatula).

Baking takes 10-12 minutes, then it’s time for the Generation Game bit: rolling up the warm sponge. Once it’s turned out of its tin onto the sugared paper, trim off the stiff edges, which would cause it to crack during rolling. Use the best jam you can get. When rolling up the sponge, be bold – it feels fragile but is sturdier than you think. Use the paper to help you roll. If it feels loose, unroll it and re-roll tighter. If you want to fill it with whipped cream, unroll the cold sponge carefully, spread with cream and re-roll. And if it all goes horribly wrong, it’ll be great in a trifle.

1. You will need a little vegetable oil for greasing, 125g golden caster sugar plus extra to dust, 125g plain flour plus extra to dust, 3 large eggs and 1/2 jar of strawberry or raspberry jam. Lightly brush the base of a 33 x 23cm Swiss roll tin with vegetable oil. Cut a sheet of greaseproof paper to fit the base of the tin exactly. Brush the paper with a little more oil, then dust with caster sugar and flour. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6.

2. Put the sugar and eggs into a large bowl that’s resting on a tea towel and whisk with an electric hand whisk for 10 minutes, until pale and thick enough for the mixture to leave a trail when the whisk is lifted.

3. Sift half the flour into the mixture and fold in very carefully until no traces of flour are left. Repeat with the remaining flour. It’s important to take your time and do it gently. Fold in 1 tablespoon lukewarm water.

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and use a spatula to smooth it evenly into the corners. Bake in the centre of the oven for 10-12 minutes, until golden and risen and just firm to the touch. Meanwhile, put the jam in a bowl and stir well to loosen.

5. Lay out a damp clean cloth on the work surface. Lay a piece of greaseproof paper that is larger than the sponge on top. Dust the greaseproof paper with caster sugar. Run a knife around the edge of the warm sponge and turn out on to the sugar-dusted paper. Peel the paper off the base of the sponge. Trim off the edges of the sponge. Spoon the jam onto the sponge and spread out, leaving a little border of clean sponge all around. Make an incision about 1cm in from the short edge near you, being careful not to cut through the cake: this makes it easier to roll up.