Israeli Passover Chocolate Roll

When the Israelites left Egypt more than 3,300 years ago, they were in a bit of a hurry and didn’t wait around for their bread to rise. Observant Jews still commemorate their exodus by skipping the leavening during the eight days of Passover. Regular flour is not used in food preparation for fear that it may have come into contact with water, thereby activating the rising process. I see baking without flour made from grain as an opportunity for creativity. In that spirit, here is an Israeli recipe that complies with the special rules of Passover.

Introduction

Israeli food has been influenced by Jewish communities from around the world. This delectable chocolate cake was inspired by the pastry chefs of central Europe. The first time it was baked in Israel was in a kibbutz kitchen for the collective Passover Seder.

Adapted from Bel Alfandari

Ingredients

For the cake:

6 eggs, separated
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbls. Dutch cocoa

For the filling:

1 cup heavy cream
3 tbls. vanilla sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler.

Step 3

Beat egg yolks with 1/3 cup sugar and the salt.

Step 4

Mix in the melted chocolate.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with the remaining sugar.

Step 6

When the egg whites are stiff, fold into the chocolate mixture.

Step 7

Oil a cookie sheet and cover with parchment paper.

Step 8

Spread the batter evenly over the cookie sheet.

Step 9

Bake for 15 minutes.

Step 10

Remove from the oven, and cover cake with two clean, damp kitchen towels.

Step 11

After 5 minutes, remove the towels and cut around the edges of the cake with a sharp knife.

Step 12

Invert the cake over a new piece of parchment paper.

Step 13

Remove the parchment paper that the cake was baked on.

Step 14

Sprinkle one tablespoon of cocoa over the cake.

Step 15

Roll the cake with the parchment in place.

Step 16

Allow to cool completely.

To assemble:

Step 1

Unroll the cake, unpeeling the parchment as you go.

Step 2

Spread the whipped cream evenly over the cake.

Step 3

Roll it up like a jelly roll and carefully place on a serving platter.

Step 4

Garnish with more whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate shavings.