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.

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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)

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.

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

How to make it

For the cake:

Make the Perfect Swiss Roll Cake according to the recipe with the addition of ½ 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 (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).

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.

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!

Print Recipe

5 from 7 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 minutes mins

Cook Time14 minutes mins

Total Time39 minutes 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
• ½ 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

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

For the cake:

• Make the Perfect Swiss Roll Cake according to the recipe with the addition of ½ 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.

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