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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cakes

    Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake

    Published: Feb 24, 2022 by Michelle ยท 10 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake is an ode to my Southeast Asian roots, combining the flavours of pandan and durian in an aromatic, light and fluffy cake.

    Whole Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a piece of parchment paper.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This recipe is based on my all-time favourite Perfect Swiss Roll Cake.

    It's a flavour variation that is an ode to my Southeast Asian roots, combining the tropical flavours of pandan and durian.

    Durian is an expensive fruit and can be hard to come by, so I've got a great tip on how to make this cake using an alternative.

    What is pandan?

    Pandan is also known as screwpine and has a vanilla-like flavour. 

    It is a long, green blade-like leaf and is commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, in sweet and savoury foods.

    Here are some of my favourite ways to use pandan:

    Kaya Pandan Coconut Jam

    No-Churn Pandan Ice Cream

    Pandan Cold Brew Coffee

    Pandan Gula Melaka Buns (Pandan Coconut Buns)

    Whole decorated Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a piece of parchment paper.
    What is durian?

    Durian is known as the "king of fruits" and illicits a strong response -- either you like it or your hate it.

    It's a creamy, sweet yellow-fleshed fruit with a large seed that has a strong, pungent smell/aroma.  

    What does it taste like?

    Durian tastes like sweet creamy custard.

    It's delicious paired with whipped cream, as in these Durian Cream Pancakes.

    Where can I find durian?

    In North America, you can find durian typically frozen in Asian supermarkets.

    There may be frozen whole durian, where you'll need to thaw it and remove the thorn-covered rind.

    Otherwise, you can also find durian flesh frozen in packages.

    Freeze-dried durian

    Using freeze-dried durian is easiest and best way to flavour the whipped cream for this cake.

    You can find freeze-dried durian online or in specialty Asian grocery stores. 

    Freeze-dried durian uses a process of low-temperature dehydration and helps to preserve it.

    In this recipe, using freeze-dried durian adds concentrated flavour to the cream without additional moisture.

    Whole Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a piece of parchment paper.
    Ingredients you'll need

    For the cake:

    • 1 batch Perfect Swiss Roll Cake
    • pandan extract: or paste, adds concentrated pandan flavour, as well as a green hue to the cake

    For the cream:

    • heavy whipping cream: (at least 36% milkfat), cold
    • powdered sugar: to sweeten the cream a little
    • freeze-dried durian: usually sold in small packets; you can find them in Asian supermarkets

    A slice of Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a white plate with fork.
    How to make it

    For the cake:

    Make the Perfect Swiss Roll Cake according to the recipe with the addition of ยฝ teaspoon pandan extract/paste to the egg yolk batter.

    Step by step instructions on how to make Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake, with text overlay.

    For the cream:

    To a chilled bowl, add the heavy cream and powdered sugar.

    Whip with a whisk until it reaches soft peaks (Step 10 below).

    Add the freeze-dried durian pieces to a spice grinder and grind until it becomes a fine powder (Step 11 and 12 below).

    Dump in the durian powder and whip with the whisk a few times to incorporate the durian into the cream (Step 13 below).

    Step by step instructions on how to make Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake, with text overlay.

    Assemble:

    With the cake slightly cooled (not completely cool), flip the pandan cake so that the browned side is facing the top.

    Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the durian cream onto the surface of the cake (Step 14 and 15 above).

    Gently roll the cake up, using the parchment paper as a guide (Step 16 above). 

    Wrap up the cake with the parchment and place onto a tray (Step 19 above).

    Chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours, until the cake has firmed up.

    Trim off the edges with a sharp, serrated knife and slice to serve (Step 18 above). 

    You can also decorate the cake with additional whipped cream and fruit.

    A slice of Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a white plate with fork, with pandan leaf beside it.
    How to store

    Store the Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.

    Wrapped individual slices of cake can be frozen for up to 1 month.

    How to serve

    Serve the Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake slightly chilled.

    If serving from frozen, let the cake sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes prior to serving.

    Expert tips

    If you have fresh pandan, you can use fresh pandan in the cake -- just blend together 1 pandan leaf with the milk and strain through a sieve. 

    Note: you'll still need a little pandan extract if you want a light green hue after baking.

    For this particular cake, I recommend rolling the cake with the browned side (top) facing inward, so the light green colour shows up on the exterior.

    You can roll the cake from the short side or the long side; it's up to you.

    If you don't like durian, you can easily omit or substitute with a different fruit, such as mango or coconut.

    Other recipes you may like

    Be sure to check out these recipes:

    Perfect Swiss Roll Cake

    Durian Cream Pancakes

    Snow White Swiss Roll Cake

    Hojicha Roll Cake

    Blackberry Earl Grey Cream Roll Cake

    Pandan Gula Melaka Buns (Pandan Coconut Buns)

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    Whole Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake on a piece of parchment paper on a wooden board, with knife.

     

    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake

    This Pandan Durian Cream Roll Cake is an ode to my Southeast Asian roots, combining the flavours of pandan and durian in an aromatic, light and fluffy cake.
    Prep Time25 mins
    Cook Time14 mins
    Total Time39 mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 62kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Pandan roll cake:

    • 1 batch Perfect Swiss Roll Cake
    • ยฝ teaspoon pandan extract

    Durian cream:

    • 125 ml heavy whipping cream 36% milkfat, cold
    • 15 g powdered sugar
    • 20 g freeze-dried durian ground into powder
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    For the cake:

    • Make the Perfect Swiss Roll Cake according to the recipe with the addition of ยฝ teaspoon pandan extract/paste to the egg yolk batter.

    For the cream:

    • To a chilled bowl, add the heavy cream and powdered sugar.
    • Whip with a whisk until it reaches soft peaks.
    • Add the freeze-dried durian pieces to a spice grinder and grind until it becomes a fine powder.
    • Dump in the durian powder and whip with the whisk a few times to incorporate the durian into the cream.

    Assemble:

    • With the cake slightly cooled (not completely cool), flip the pandan cake so that the browned side is facing the top.
    • Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the durian cream onto the surface of the cake.
    • Gently roll the cake up, using the parchment paper as a guide.
    • Wrap up the cake with the parchment and place onto a tray.
    • Chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours, until the cake has firmed up.
    • Trim off the edges with a sharp, serrated knife and slice to serve. (You can also decorate with additional whipped cream and fruit).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 230IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 2pots2cook

      February 25, 2022 at 12:59 am

      5 stars
      Love pandan in all the variations but never tried it with durian. So curious ....

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 25, 2022 at 8:12 am

        It's such a delicious pairing, you'll have to give it a try Davorka! ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. David @ Spiced

      February 25, 2022 at 6:13 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea to use freeze-dried durian to flavor the whipped cream here! I've seen Durian in stores on occasion, but I've never tried one. (Laura has traveled to Southeast Asia, and she's told me about markets filled with durian.) Either way, I'm intrigued by this recipe! It looks awesome!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 25, 2022 at 8:12 am

        Oooh be warned, either you like it or you don't -- but you'll have to try it once to know either way David! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    3. Neil

      February 26, 2022 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      As a huge fan of Swiss roll too, I know I would love this! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    4. Tasia ~ two sugar bugs

      February 28, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      The green hue the pandan brings is so pretty! I've never had durian, but I am open to trying it.

      Reply
      • Michelle

        March 01, 2022 at 7:41 am

        Thanks Tasia, it's definitely a flavour you'll have to try and see for yourself! ๐Ÿ™‚

    5. Linsey

      March 01, 2022 at 5:03 pm

      5 stars
      Durian is the king of the fruits! When I smell the fragrant of durian, it brings back the memory of my childhood with the family gathering all around during the opening of the fruits and eating the fruits, so sweet and delicious! Taste like custard too!! Great treat!!!

      Reply
    6. Raymund | angsarap.net

      March 02, 2022 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is an awesome flavour for a roll cake, delicate yet potent

      Reply
    7. Healthy World Cuisine

      March 03, 2022 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful dessert! Love pandan so very much. Have only ever had fresh durian so will have to keep my eyes out for freeze dried pandan, What a fun dessert!

      Reply

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