Rollo Rojo, also known as Liberales, is a beloved traditional Colombian dessert: a light sponge roll filled with guava jam. Its vivid red exterior and sweet guava center make it a favorite in bakeries across Colombia and a nostalgic treat for many.
Rollo Rojo de Guayaba (Colombian Red Roll Cake with Guava)
Erica Dinho
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 eggs separated
- ½ cup sugar + 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all purpose flour sifted
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- red food color
- 1 cup guava jam or jelly
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, butter the parchment, and brush the surface with red food coloring to tint the paper. Lay a clean kitchen towel on your work surface and dust it lightly with sugar; set aside.
-
Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until pale, then gradually add ½ cup sugar and the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
-
Sift together the flour and baking powder. Fold the dry mixture into the yolk mixture until combined.
-
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, taking care not to deflate the mixture. Add red food coloring as needed to achieve a bright red hue.
-
Spread the batter evenly over the colored parchment on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cake is lightly golden and springs back when touched.
-
Run a knife around the edges, invert the cake onto the sugared towel, and carefully peel off the parchment paper. Starting at the narrow end, roll the cake and towel together into a log. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
-
When cool, unroll the cake, remove the towel, and spread the guava jam evenly over the surface. Re-roll the cake without the towel, place seam-side down on a serving plate, dust with additional sugar if desired, and slice into thick pieces to serve.
Nutrition
Rollo Rojo de Guayaba, or Liberales, is a classic Colombian sponge roll filled with guava jam. Light, tender, and sweet, it’s a staple at bakeries throughout Colombia. Making it at home is rewarding and brings back fond childhood memories for many who grew up with this dessert.
Colombia offers several rolled cakes with different fillings: pionono (often filled with dulce de leche) and brazo de reina (filled with cream and fresh strawberries) are two popular variations. This red guava roll remains one of the most cherished versions for its bright color and fruity flavor.
This Rollo Rojo is especially pretty with its red hue, making it a lovely option for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion when you want a colorful, nostalgic dessert.
Buen provecho!
