Decadent Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll: A Gluten-Free, No-Bake Delight with Coconut Swirl

Indulge in this exquisite vegan dark chocolate Swiss roll, featuring a rich chocolate cake, a creamy coconut swirl, and a simple 2-ingredient chocolate ganache. Perfect for any celebration!

 

As the air grows crisp and the festive lights begin to twinkle, there’s a unique magic that fills the season. Just recently, I received my very first Christmas card of the year through snail mail – a small but significant moment that marks the true beginning of the holiday cheer. It’s a cherished tradition in my home, inherited from my mom, to tape all our received holiday cards on the back of a door. Watching that door slowly fill up with warm wishes, vibrant photos, and cheerful greetings like “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” brings an immeasurable joy. The closer we get to December 25th, the more challenging it becomes to find a spare inch for another precious memory, yet it’s a delightful problem to have.

This time of year has always held a special place in my heart, and it always will. To my left, the pearly white ceramic Christmas tree my grandma crafted for me softly glows, its multi-colored bulbs casting a gentle, nostalgic light. Last week, my partner M asked about the purpose of a particular reindeer serving bowl gracing our dining room table. “It has no function,” I chuckled, “it just *is*.” And isn’t that truly the essence of the holidays? Normally, I’m all about function over form, but when it comes to Christmas, the whimsical and beautiful take center stage. Everything is allowed to simply *be*, bringing joy and charm without needing a practical purpose.

Today, I’m thrilled to share a special holiday-inspired recipe that perfectly embodies this festive spirit: it boasts a stunning, artful form and an absolutely delicious function. This Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll is not only rich in taste and elegant in appearance, but it’s also crafted with less than 10 wholesome, “good-for-you” ingredients. It’s a delightful centerpiece that proves you don’t need to sacrifice health or ethical choices for holiday indulgence.

Crafting the Perfect Vegan and Gluten-Free Swiss Roll

Earlier this year, I reached out to my wonderful community on Instagram, asking what festive recipes you needed most for the upcoming holiday season. Among the many fantastic suggestions that landed in my DMs, one request truly piqued my interest: a Swiss Roll. The idea of creating a vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free Swiss Roll immediately intrigued me. Primarily because, to my surprise, I had never actually tasted a Swiss Roll before, let alone attempted a plant-based variation!

My culinary investigation revealed that a Swiss roll, also known as a jelly roll or Swiss log, is traditionally a type of sponge cake that’s baked flat, spread with a filling (like whipped cream, jam, or icing), and then carefully rolled into a log shape. I initially assumed it might taste like a more sophisticated version of those popular pre-packaged snacks, perhaps an elevated Little Debbie. A quick Google search even confirmed that Little Debbie indeed makes Swiss Rolls – a nice discovery! However, I can confidently say that this homemade sweet log far surpasses those mass-produced treats. Not only is it incredibly fresh and flavorful, but it also boasts the impressive benefits of being entirely vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined-sugar-free, making it a guilt-free pleasure for everyone.

If you’re anything like me, your initial reaction to seeing the intricate coconut-encased insides of this sweet treat might be a skeptical “That’s *way* too much work.” But please, believe me when I tell you that this recipe looks far more complex and impressive than it actually is. I’ve meticulously broken down the entire process into three remarkably easy steps, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable baking experience for even novice home cooks:

1. The No-Bake Chocolate Cake Base
2. The Light and Fluffy Coconut Whip Swirl
3. The Simple 2-Ingredient Chocolate Ganache Topping

These three steps are designed to be straightforward, utilizing simple, wholesome ingredients and, best of all, requiring absolutely zero bake time! That’s right, no oven needed for this delightful dessert. So, gather your ingredients, and let’s get rollin’!

Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan Chocolate Cake

The foundation of our delectable Swiss roll is a rich, flavorful chocolate cake base. What’s truly remarkable is how few ingredients are required to achieve such a luxurious taste and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple yet satisfying chocolate cake:

• Super-fine almond meal: This provides the structure for our no-bake cake, offering a tender texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
• Large Medjool dates, pitted: These are the natural powerhouse sweeteners and binders in our recipe, ensuring a perfectly moist and pliable cake. Be sure they are soft and gooey for best results.
• Raw cacao powder: For that deep, intense chocolate flavor that is both decadent and antioxidant-rich.
• Unsweetened almond milk: A splash of almond milk helps achieve the ideal consistency for blending our cake dough.

That’s truly it! Just four simple, wholesome ingredients transform into a rich chocolate cake foundation without ever touching the oven.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Vegan Chocolate Cake Base

Creating this no-bake chocolate cake is incredibly straightforward. To begin, you’ll need a square baking tin. Line it generously with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides – this will be crucial for easily lifting the cake out and for the rolling process later. I recommend an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch square tin, or one of a similar size, to ensure the right thickness for rolling.

Next, it’s time to prepare the chocolate dough. Combine all the chocolate cake ingredients – the super-fine almond meal, pitted Medjool dates, raw cacao powder, and unsweetened almond milk – into a high-speed blender or a robust food processor. Process everything until the mixture forms a smooth, cohesive dough. The key here is consistency: the dough should stick together firmly when pressed between two fingers. If it’s too crumbly, add almond milk a teaspoon at a time; if too sticky, add a little more almond meal.

Once your dough is perfect, spread it evenly into your prepared baking tin. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to press it down firmly, creating a compact and uniform chocolate cake layer. This firm pressing helps ensure the roll holds its shape beautifully. Transfer the baking tin to the freezer for about 10 minutes. This quick chill time is essential for firming up the cake base, making it much easier to handle and roll later on, while you move on to preparing the delectable coconut whip!

Ingredients for the Dreamy Vegan Coconut Swirl

The luscious, creamy center of our Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll is an exquisite coconut swirl, providing a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture. Achieving this light and fluffy consistency is surprisingly simple, requiring just two key ingredients. Here’s what you need to create your vegan coconut swirl:

• Full-fat coconut cream (solid parts only): This is the magic ingredient for a rich, stable whipped cream. It’s crucial to use only the thick, solid cream that separates at the top of a chilled can of full-fat coconut milk.
• Pure maple syrup: To sweeten the coconut whip naturally and add a subtle, warm flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly. Adjust to your desired sweetness level.

That’s all! With just these two ingredients, you’re well on your way to a cloud-like coconut filling that elevates this Swiss roll to pure dessert heaven.

Creating the Velvety Vegan Coconut Swirl: Step-by-Step

The secret to a perfectly thick and stable coconut whipped cream lies in careful preparation. When selecting your coconut cream, make sure it’s a full-fat variety, and for the best results, chill the can in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the rich, solid coconut cream to separate from the watery liquid. When you’re ready to make your swirl, open the can without shaking it and carefully scoop out *only* the firm, thick cream from the top, leaving the liquid behind. This step is vital for achieving that desired thick consistency for your whipped cream.

Once you have your solid coconut cream, transfer it to a chilled mixing bowl. Add the pure maple syrup, starting with a smaller amount and adding more to taste. Using a hand-held mixer, whip the coconut cream and maple syrup together until the mixture is incredibly light, airy, and fluffy, similar to traditional whipped cream. While a high-speed blender or food processor can work in a pinch, I’ve found that a hand mixer truly achieves the best, most voluminous results for a delightful, cloud-like swirl. This creamy, sweet filling is the perfect complement to the rich chocolate cake, adding a tropical touch and a wonderfully smooth texture to every bite.

Assembling Your Spectacular Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll

With your luscious chocolate cake base and dreamy coconut whipped cream ready, it’s time for the most exciting part: assembling your beautiful Swiss roll! This is where the magic truly happens.

Carefully retrieve the chilled chocolate cake dough from the freezer. Using the parchment paper overhang, gently lift the entire cake layer out of the tin and place it on a clean, flat surface. Now, take your prepared coconut whip and spread it generously and evenly over the surface of the chocolate cake. A spatula or the back of a spoon works perfectly for creating a smooth, consistent layer of creamy white filling.

Next, the rolling begins! Starting from one of the longer sides, slowly and steadily begin to roll up the dough. Use the parchment paper to assist you, gently guiding and tightening the roll as you go. Take your time to create a firm, compact log. Don’t worry if a little bit of the coconut whipped cream peeks out or escapes from the sides – that’s perfectly normal and part of the charm of a homemade Swiss roll! Remember, it doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect; the rustic beauty is part of its appeal. Once rolled, carefully place the log back into the freezer to chill and firm up while you prepare the final, decadent touch: the chocolate ganache.

The Simplest Indulgence: 2-Ingredient Chocolate Ganache

No decadent chocolate dessert is complete without a rich, glossy ganache, and this one couldn’t be simpler. Our 2-ingredient chocolate ganache delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfectly complementing the vegan dark chocolate Swiss roll. Here’s all you need:

• Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate bars, melted: These high-quality dark chocolate bars melt beautifully, providing a deep, intense chocolate flavor without unnecessary additives.
• Unsweetened almond milk: This plant-based milk helps create a smooth, pourable ganache while maintaining its vegan integrity.

That’s truly it – just two ingredients for a ganache that tastes incredibly rich and looks stunning! This simple combination ensures a dairy-free and delicious topping for your magnificent Swiss roll.

Crafting Your Easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Ganache

Making this silky smooth chocolate ganache is incredibly quick and easy. For this recipe, I highly recommend using Hu Kitchen Simple Dark Chocolate bars, as they melt down beautifully, creating a wonderfully creamy ganache. The quality of your chocolate will truly shine through in this simple topping.

To prepare the ganache, break the dark chocolate bars into small pieces and place them in a medium pan on the stovetop. Add the unsweetened almond milk. Begin melting the chocolate over low heat, stirring continuously. The key is to melt it slowly and gently to avoid scorching the chocolate. Continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and thoroughly combined with the almond milk, forming a thick, smooth, and spreadable ganache. The consistency should be rich enough to coat a spoon but still fluid enough to pour over the Swiss roll.

A little tip for perfect consistency: start with about 2 tablespoons of almond milk. If the ganache seems too thick after melting, gradually add more almond milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you achieve your desired pourable, yet thick, consistency. This careful approach ensures your ganache is just right for coating your beautiful Swiss roll.

Elevating Your Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll with Delicious Decorations

Your Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll is now nearly complete, and it’s time to add the finishing touches that will make it truly spectacular! Once your 2-ingredient chocolate ganache is prepared and still warm, retrieve your firm Swiss roll from the freezer.

Carefully pour the rich chocolate ganache over the top of the roll, ensuring it spreads into an even, glossy layer that beautifully coats the entire surface. This ganache will not only add another layer of intense chocolate flavor but also a stunning visual appeal. Before the ganache has a chance to fully harden, it’s the perfect moment to sprinkle on your optional toppings.

I highly recommend a generous dusting of unsweetened shredded coconut for a tropical flair and some finely shaved dark chocolate for an extra touch of elegance and chocolatey richness. Beyond these, feel free to get creative with other additions! Chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), a sprinkle of sea salt to enhance the chocolate, or even a few dried cranberries can add delightful textures and flavors. Once decorated, transfer the roll back to the freezer for a final 5 minutes. This brief chill time will allow the dark chocolate ganache to set perfectly, ensuring all those beautiful toppings stay intact when you slice into your masterpiece.

Tips for Storing Your Decadent Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll

Once your beautiful chocolate ganache has set, your Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll is ready to be enjoyed! For the most elegant presentation and easiest serving, I recommend slicing it into uniform 1-inch rounds immediately. The clean cuts will showcase the stunning chocolate cake and coconut swirl beautifully.

One of the many advantages of this delightful dessert is its excellent shelf life. If you find yourself with leftovers (which is a rare occurrence, I assure you!), simply store the remaining Swiss roll in an airtight container in the freezer. It will keep wonderfully for several weeks, allowing you to enjoy a taste of this decadent treat whenever a craving strikes.

For the absolute best texture and consistency, especially after freezing, allow the sliced roll to sit at room temperature for approximately 5 minutes before eating. This brief thaw softens the cake and ganache just enough to restore their perfect chewiness and melt-in-your-mouth quality. Yum! This makes it an ideal make-ahead dessert for parties or a convenient grab-and-go indulgence.

Savoring Your Homemade Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll – it’s truly a decadent and elevated plant-based dessert that promises pure bliss in every bite. Each slice offers a harmonious symphony of gooey, intensely chocolatey richness, complemented by the delicate sweetness and tropical notes of the coconut swirl. It’s a dessert that not only tastes incredible but also feels indulgent and satisfying, making it a memorable treat for any occasion.

Thanks to its gorgeous, intricate presentation, this Swiss roll is an absolutely beautiful dessert to make for entertaining. Imagine it as the stunning centerpiece of your holiday dessert table, captivating your guests with its elegant swirl and glossy ganache. You can feel wonderful serving it to all your favorite people, knowing that it’s entirely vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free. It caters to various dietary needs without compromising on flavor or festivity. Plus, with leftovers keeping so well in the freezer, even if you’re not feeding a crowd, you can still treat yourself to this exquisite dessert whenever you desire. It’s the perfect balance of health-conscious and utterly delicious. Don’t hesitate – give this recipe a try and bring some extra sparkle to your dessert spread!

Enjoy!

Explore More Delicious Vegan Rolls

If you loved creating this Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll and are looking for more delightful rolled treats, be sure to check out some of my other favorite vegan recipes:

• SunButter Cinnamon Rolls (Yeast-Free!)

I Want to Hear From You!

If you decide to make this incredible Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Your feedback helps me create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy. Please be sure to leave me a comment, a star rating, and a review below so I can learn from your insights and continue to bring you more “yums.”

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful creations. I love seeing what you make!

For more plant-based inspiration and recipes like this one, head over to my Pinterest page and pin your favorites to make later. And if you love what you see and want to stay updated with all the latest recipes and tips, visit my homepage and subscribe to get delicious updates delivered straight to your inbox!

XO Lauren

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This post is proudly brought to you by Hu Kitchen, whose delicious dark chocolate makes this recipe truly shine. All words, culinary creations, and honest opinions are entirely my own. I’m grateful for your support of the sponsors that keep me inspired and hungry!

Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen