Basically a chocolate génoise rolled around rum-flavored whipped cream, this is another supremely simple dessert that always manages to please. It’s a not-too-rich ending for any celebratory meal.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8 to 10

　　

For cake

Vegetable-oil cooking spray

　　1/4 cup sifted unsweetened dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for pan

　　1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour (not self-rising)

　　Pinch of salt

　　3 large whole eggs plus 2 large egg yolks

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled completely

　　

For filling

1/4 cup water

　　1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

　　2 tablespoons light rum

　　1 1/4 cups heavy cream

　　

For finishing

Unsweetened dutch-process cocoa powder

　　

Step 1

Mix batter and make cake Follow the directions for Jelly Roll (page 464), dusting pan with cocoa powder instead of flour. For batter, whisk cocoa powder with other dry ingredients before folding into beaten egg-sugar mixture. While cake is baking, dust kitchen towel with cocoa powder. Once baked, roll up cake (incorporating towel) and let cool completely.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, make rum syrup In a small saucepan, combine the water and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; add rum, then let cool completely.

　　

Step 3

Fill cake and reroll Unroll cake. Brush entire surface generously with cooled rum syrup. Whip cream and remaining tablespoon sugar until soft peaks form; spread over cake, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Roll cake to enclose filling (without towel), starting at a short end. Wrap with towel and secure with clips.

　　

Step 4

Chill and serve Refrigerate 30 minutes (or up to 3 hours). Serve, dusted with cocoa powder.

　　Reprinted with permission from Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook by Martha Stewart. Copyright © 2008 by Martha Stewart. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of bestselling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the Emmy-winning, daily national syndicated program, and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which publishes several magazines, including Martha Stewart Living; produces Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on SIRIUS Satellite Radio; and provides a wealth of ideas and information on www.marthastewart.com.