Chocolate Coconut Cake Roll

Step 1

Make the Cake: preheat oven to 350°F. Line a jelly roll (10x15”) pan with foil and spray with cooking spray (I like to use the spray with flour).

Step 2

Beat eggs at high speed for 3 minutes, until frothy and dark yellow. Beat in sugar, coffee or water, and vanilla extract.

Step 3

Whisk together cocoa, salt, baking powder, and flour. Stir into wet ingredients just until blended.

Step 4

Spread in prepared pan. Batter will be in a very thin layer and you will need to use a wooden spoon or spatula to spread it to all the corners of the pan. Make sure it's even. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to release air bubbles. Bake for 10-15 minutes. You’ll know it’s done because if you lightly poke the top with your fingertip it will slightly bounce back.

Step 5

While the cake is baking, set a clean kitchen towel out on a large work surface. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar (about 1/4 cup). As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, turn it over on the kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Remove foil carefully.

Step 6

Working at the short end, fold the edge of the towel over the cake. Roll tightly, rolling up the cake into the towel. Let cool completely while rolled, at least one hour (or you can wrap it and chill it overnight).

Step 7

Toast the coconut by adding it to a medium skillet and cooking over low heat, stirring constantly, until it turns golden. Immediately remove to a plate to cool.

Step 8

Make the Filling: beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream in an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. (You can also use a hand mixer, but it will take longer.) Slowly add in powdered sugar during beating, one tablespoon at at time. Add both extracts. Beat until whipped cream forms. Stir in 1 cup of toasted coconut.

Step 9

Assemble Cake: once the cake has cooled, unroll it carefully. Spread the whipped cream on the cake, leaving 1” without filling at either end. Re-roll cake, scooping out any filling that spills out as you roll. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour before frosting.

Step 10

Make the topping: place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan over low heat for a few minutes or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until it just simmers. Pour over the chocolate chips and let sit for one minute, then whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Chill for about 10 minutes.

Step 11

Place cake roll on a wire rack set over a cookie sheet. Pour the ganache over the cake evenly. Top with remaining toasted coconut. Chill until set.

Step 12

Note: The cake should stay chilled until right before serving or the whipped cream filling will get warm and it will be hard to slice.