My Dearest Readers, this week I unwittingly gave myself an early Christmas present. I finally got my Provisional Driver’s License after over 30 years of age! I was of course going for the title of oldest person on their Ls and imagined swerving back and forth in a large vehicle at age 80 and only getting my Ps out of sheer sympathy due to the fact that I had sat the test 50 or so times.
I purposely didn’t tell anyone that I was sitting my Ps as it is so easy to fail-two points and there are plenty of instant fail things and you’re out. Just before my test I took some professional driving instructor lessons and I felt like it was a good omen as my driving instructor sounded like Franck Eggelhoffer (although the similarity ended there). Then when I met the tester he looked like Tom Skerritt’s character from Top Gun, one of my embarrassingly favourite movies. So that was good omen number 2. Then we went the route that my instructor aka Franck took me on just that morning which was good omen number 3.
It wasn’t easy, it seems that with Christmas coming up people are more frazzled and dopey than usual and there was a man who just stepped out onto the road without looking and luckily I hit the brakes before hitting him (apparently avoiding addled individuals like this earns you one bonus point). I went for my first drive alone today and I was very nervous. It seemed that Sydney’s already congested roads were even more clogged and it took about 10 minutes to drive the two blocks from outside of our house. The first day was (relatively) incident free. OK there was a garbage bin that I accidentally backed into (who put that there?) and I had to call Mr NQN when I couldn’t park the car in the garage but I was just relieved that I managed to turn my lights on. Baby steps dear readers, baby steps…
I also gave myself another early Christmas present by making these Swiss Roll Christmas Cottages. I have already made and frozen some things (a crostata and a stollen went into the deep freeze last week to be served for Christmas dinner). These Swiss roll cottages are also perfect to freeze. I used a blackberry and durif jam that I picked up from Blue Ox berry farm on a recent trip to Milawa in Victoria which gives it a lovely boozy red wine flavour. The swiss roll is light and fluffy and the chocolate buttercream icing is a lovely sweet contrast to the fruity jam. And it’s in the shape of a house-call it my adult baker’s version of Lego.
Luckily we don’t have to travel far this year and I don’t need to drive. Instead we’ll be parked at home with the extended families enjoying food like these Swiss roll Christmas cottages and eating ourselves silly. And I’ll also be watching out for garbage bins in the rear view mirror too-you never know when they will pop up!
So tell me Dear Reader, what do you want most for Christmas this year?
Swiss Roll Christmas Cottages
Adapted from the Mocha Yule Log from Nigella Christmas
For Cake
- 6 eggs, separated making sure that there is no yolk in the whites
- 100g (3.5oz) + 50g (1.7oz) caster sugar
- 50g/1.7oz cocoa
- 2 tablespoons of icing sugar to help roll the cake
For icing
- 175g/6oz Dark Chocolate
- 250g/8.8oz Icing Sugar
- 225g Butter/8oz, softened
To decorate
- Plus 120g/4oz best jam of your choice (I used a blackbery and durif jam)
- 8 chocolate bars or blocks of chocolates (I used 2x Lindt 100g chocolate bars)
- Desiccated coconut to decorate
- Small fruit jellies to decorate
You will also need a Swiss roll tin 24x36cms (9.6″x14.4″)
1. Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced (350F/325F fan forced). Line a swiss roll tin with baking parchment with a little overhang (it rises a little in the oven but sinks down when cooling). I find it helps to stick the parchment to the baking tin, especially a non stick one, if you spray it with a non stick cooking spray. In a clean, large bowl whisk the egg whites until starting to hold a peak and then whisk in the 50g of caster sugar by the spoonful until soft, firm peaks form (but not dry).
2. I know you’re supposed to use another bowl but I never bother. I just put the whipped egg whites in a bowl and scrape it clean and use the same bowl (although do be aware lovelies that you can’t whip the egg yolks and sugar first and then whip the egg whites, the egg whites require a spotlessly clean bowl). Whip egg yolks and 100g of the caster sugar until pale and mousse-like.
3. Sift cocoa over the egg yolk mixture and fold to combine.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of the fluffy egg white mixture to the yolk and sugar mixture. Fold gently to combine. Then add the rest of the egg whites in 2 or 3 even lots.
The baked Swiss roll cake
5. Pour into swiss roll tin and smooth over the top and bake at 180c for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes and then start to gently pry back paper on the sides.
Prying back the parchment
Ta da! Rolled!
6. Have another sheet of parchment paper sprinkled with some icing sugar ready. Turn cake onto this gently (don’t worry, if there are any rips or tears, the icing will cover these) and gently roll this up. Cover with a clean teatowel and cool.
For icing
7. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in a microwave (I do it on 30% or 50% power in 60 second bursts). Put icing sugar in food processor to get rid of any lumps or sieve in a bowl. If using a food processor beat with butter, coffee powder and then cooled chocolate. If doing it by hand, whisk with butter in with the sieved icing sugar, coffee powder and then add chocolate and beat by hand using a large whisk.
To assemble
8. I find the icing easiest to work with when it isn’t very soft. As I write this, it is Summer so it gets soft very quickly so I put this in the fridge to firm up a little. Then carefully unrolling the Swiss roll spread it with the icing and the jam. Roll back up and refrigerate until very firm. The icing will set well until very firm in the fridge.
9. Cut into slices-i made mine about an inch thick-depending on the size of your Swiss Roll tin, you will get between 6-7 slices. Spread some chocolate icing on top and affix some chocolate bars on top as the roof. Decorate by sticking fruit jellies as windows, chopped up chocolate bars as doors and chimneys.
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91 Comments | Add your own
Aw, so cute! What a beautiful presentation. I love the idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
That is beyond cute!
Mmmmm so much yummier than gingerbread houses. Well, you know time with my family, world peace……..and a Clara French cake stand.
Congrats on your license!
Congratulations on getting your P’s! And the chocolate log house is an inspired idea, thank you!
At first I thought this was something I could never make (like that baked alaska log cabin of yours) because it looks so advanced. I’m confident in baking but not too patient when it comes to decorations, but this is something actually could pull off.
Thank you for the inspiration, Lorraine!
First off, congratulations!! I got my P’s a month ago (I’m nearly 29), so I know what a big thing this is. I’m all about baby steps, too. Take care on the roads, there are some crazy ppl out there (like me, ha).
Secondly, I’m loving all this Christmas baking you’re doing. I’ll be making your stollen (I like how it was pink in the middle). Swiss rolls have always intimidated me. I think it’s the having to roll it while it’s warm, then unroll it, then fill it, then roll it again. I keep thinking it’ll fall to pieces on me. Yours looks lovely and the icing looks very delicious!
BIG CONGRATS to you Lorraine re getting your Ps. Anyone that can drive in hectic Sydney is a winner in my book!
Congrats on your Ps. This cake is so cute – perfect for Christmas.
Congratulations Lorraine! After passing the test on my fifth try, I know how you feel! Well done! And the Swiss roll looks like a winner too.
lol, Franck!
Your Swiss roll looks like a lil blanket
Adorable cottages
Congrats on the licence!! I know what you mean, it’s been crazy on the streets this week.
I love the look of your swiss roll cottages.
SSG xxx
Ohhh I love it when you make your cute little themed recipes, you always take the whole scene to the next level!!! The house is gorgeous, I cant imagine how that came to mind, I don’t see “cottage” when I see swiss rolls! Just beautiful. I got my drivers license at 23 so I know your pain, I rolled back into a car whilst stopped at the lights on a hill on Parramatta Rd!! (TWICE!… okay Three times) peak hour traffic and trying to do a hill start! Thank God it was just a series of small bumps and two light changes… everyone was very forgiving, all things considered.
this is sooooooo cute
congrats on getting your P’s! how exciting
these cottages look delicious. I want to come to your Christmas lunch!
very clever!!
Yayyyyy. I am so proud of you Lorraine. You will love being on the road. Singing out loud on your own in the car in traffic. Congratulations my dear. Yiheeeee. ROAD TRIP..Your swiss roll looks delicious.
What a cute idea!
They’re so cute! What a great thing to make ahead. I already have way too many sweets on the party plan list but these ones are going on next year’s for sure.
Congrats on passing your driving test! I only got mine this year as well after dragging my feet for over 10 years so I know what you mean about being mature and on your L plates
The swill roll cottages look beautiful, what a great idea!
Congratulation on your driving! I got my license later in life (26) and am now on my green P’s/ Driving still terrifies me however I am hoping that changing to an automatic car might help. Manual is too much to worry about.
Anything lathered with buttercream is a winner in my books! Also anything Christmassy for that matter 
Your cottage cake looks fab
Congratulations on get your license. What I would like for Christmas? Well my wish would be to have my mother back with us but unfortunately she passed away 7 years ago on Dec 31 2003.
As for as gift wise I would like a purple leaf plum tree.
These are way too cute and yet simple to make at the same time, very clever.
Congratulations on passing your test, I always had faith in you Lorraine . My dad always used to say to us kids, no matter how good a driver you are, you must always be mindful of others on the road. So, just take it easy, deep breath and it will get better and so will you the more driving you do, I promise.
Forgot to say, I’d like a peaceful yet happy Christmas for all but also a magic wand to do all the cleaning up afterwards!!
I always know I’ll find something yummy to make here, and this looks like another one for my Christmas menu.
As for Christmas …I think I want my kids and I to be happy, and perhaps strength and peace for the new year. Congratulations on getting your licence!
Congratulations on your P’s! One of the more terrifying tests in life. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate than chopping up chocolate bars for doors and chimneys:)
Love the choc houses; you might like this driving aid:
http://www.aglassofwater.org/en
Congrats in getting your license!
That looks great Lorraine! will have to give it ago …. and i love christmas
My big cherub just spotted the pic up the top and now guess how she wants to spend the morning? Too too cute…
Congratulations on the licence! I got my Italian licence in September and it didn’t help much that I have been driving in Australia for nearly 4o years – it was terrifying, so I know what you went through. Love the swiss roll.
These are just so adorable – i can’t wait to make them. Have shared a link to your post on my blog… Merry Christmas to you!
Congratulations! Oh, just think… the places you will go! And garage parking? I’ve been driving for 20 years and have managed to avoid that so far!
Those cottages are sooo cute, my kids will love them! I will probably cheat, though, and buy my swiss roll.
What is durif? Never heard of it! xxx
What beautiful cottages!! Baker’s lego hehe. Congratulations on getting your license! How brilliant is that first drive solo
Heidi xo
i’m so pleased for you!
this is inspiration for me to get my Ls . . . !
What a treat to please everyone!
Durif is a full bodied red wine which the wineries of North East Victoria do very well. Need to make this recipe as I can imagine how well they go together.
Congrats on the license Lorraine! Have fun exploring your streets.
Helen.
Congratulations on getting your licence – it’s so nerve-wracking! These houses are adorable – and as I’m not a fan of gingerbread a much better option than gingerbread houses.
congrats on getting your license! i’m still in the process of getting one.
fingers crossed! love the cute cottages for christmas.
Congrats! and that house is cute!
Hey NQN!
Never fear, you are not the only one. I recently got my P’s for the first time at the age of 30 (and after holding my L’s on and off for 15 years!). I finally felt the need to make a concerted effort to get them because of Christmas funnily enough. I felt bacd as my partner was always stuck with all the driving (and there’s alot of it at Holiday times between the 2 of our families) so I thought I should do my share and pitch in with at least the option of me doing part of the driving load!
It is definitely a nerve wracking experience being out alone on Sydney roads for the first time. I’ve been going for almost a year now and still find certain things hard.
On the swiss roll houses I am def gonna give them a go and try to freeze ahead for xmas desert!!! Thanks!
Gorgeous! I’ve been craving a white Xmas this year and this is probably as close as I’ll get.
Almost to cute to eat! Almost
Congratulations on your Ps Lorraine… how exciting, well done!!!! You made me laugh with your notion of the Ps at 80 out of sheer sympathy…
Loved the recipe and the presentation, looks fab!
Enjoy your solo driving!
Rosanna
Congratulations on your licence! What freedom lies ahead! I was all of 30 before I ‘did the deed’ – actually came to be a pretty good driver (Hmm! Why is she blowing her own horn?) Had started ‘learning’ with dear husband (bad idea!)in his many-geared sports car years before! The National Park’s (S of Sydney) curvy roads were NOT the way to go. When I put the teeniest dent doing a gentle backing routine in Sydney’s Centennial Park into the bodywork of said sportscar – oh wow!!! Didn’t give up – phoned the local Learning School – got a ‘mad’ Irish ex-racing driver as teacher. Darling hubby swallowed thrice when I somehow managed to pass the test with bells and whistles after the third lesson! Never looked back!!! Merry Christmas and happy, safe driving!!
It’s such a bad idea to read this post prior to breakfast!
T_T
I’m waiting for an email reply so I hope that someone would reply to me.
I have a problem with swiss rolls. They become broken rolls
Congratulations, Lorraine – well done you!!
Love these dear little cottages – mostly ‘cos of the chocolate!
“I feel the need…the need…for chocolate cake!” Okay not quite the Top Gun line but one of my faves too! I highly recommend a small township in SA where I got three of the five compulsary questions wrong so the PO kept passing it back to me to change my answers(!)… and Ps in a slightly bigger town with one set of lights…
Oooh, that’s devine! I think I’ll make this one instead of the traditional gingerbread house! Looks very yummy too!
beautiful beyond words!
Oooh congrats Lorraine…better late than nevah! Teehee …love it, I do. These little Swiss cottages look adorable. Novel & so Chrismassy! LOVELY!!!
Congratulations on getting your P’s!
Your swiss roll Christmas cottages are gorgeous and very inventive. I’ve never seen anything like them. So cute!
Hi Lorraine, yes please, I would be interested the soft caramel recipe!
Congratulations Lorraine on your licence! You Swiss cottages look beautiful!
These are so adorable…and congrats on the license! My son (17) just got his yesterday and frankly I think everyone should wait until they’re 30! Watch out Sydney! Loraine is on the loose!
So very cute! Good for you Lorraine! You have every right to be proud of yourself too. I like driving, but don’t like trying to park. I will walk miles if the only close spot requires a reverse park. I still hyperventilate in covered carparks at the shopping centres too, but I no longer have panic attacks! I guess that’s progress.
Congratulations on your licence Lorraine! I made my husband get his licence at the age of 30, two weeks out from giving birth – I told him it was that or deliver the baby, the best motivator I think. I do find that he is the most careful driver I know. What do I want for Christmas, I want to be surrounded by yummy food and your Christmas Vodka I have brewing….
Wow, good for you on getting your driver’s license. It’s never too late to do that. Like so many things in life, it seems scarier the older you get. But really, it’s not so bad once you are determined and prepared. Kudos to you!
Those little houses sound just as delicious as they are adorable! Congratulations on passing your drivers test.
Yay, good on you!! I have just got mine, and I’m 39! Ha! The first drive alone is pretty weird isn’t it? I didn’t tell anyone I was going for lessons, as I didn’t need the pressure. But after only 3 months I feel more confident, so deep breath and get out there and drive as much as you can. I wish for Christmas…lots of fun, food and laughter with family and friends. Safe driving!!
Congrats on getting your licence!! Woohoo independence!!
I wish I had the time or should I say patience) to make something like this – absolutely beautiful.
They are so cute!
Congratulations on getting your P’s! One of my goals next year is to get my L’s… And a KitchenAid!
They are just adorable and everyone gets their own little xmas cottage – how cute!!
That’s a dessert that’s guaranteed to spread LOTS of Yuletide cheer!
Congrats on your P’s Lorraine
Luckily when I took my test years and years ago I could go straight to a full license (I held an overseas license). Still, I had to take the test twice cos I ran a stop sign (it was covered by foliage!!) the first time – instant fail.
LOvely yule log cabins, very cute. All I want for Christmas is some rest.
gorgeous houses and congratulations on getting your license – it takes a while to feel comfortable in the car but at least it sounds like you wont do what I did and leave it for quite some years before regularly driving.
OMG! those are ueber cute! Well done! The presentation is fantastic
what a unique and wonderful way to decorate a slab o’ swiss roll! fun, festive, and fabulous–bravo.
Fabulous little festive houses! Great for a table topper.
Congratulations on getting your driver’s license!
By the way, I’m with you on the Top Gun thing, I love that movie.
Your early Christmas present is amazing. You are incredibly skillful Lorraine and it shows.
Magda
Congrats on your driver’s license! I was driving a minute after I could legally do it so it seems so natural to me but many city friends never bothered since they took cabs or public trans most of their lives. My great triumph this year was driving in England… I never knew how much of driving was muscle memory till then… whoa it is hard!!! That said.. great desert… chocolate frosting and jam??? Why have I never made a cake like that before???
Hi Lorraine,
Congratulations on getting your Ps. If it is of any comfort, I got mine when I was 33 and stayed on my Ps for 3 years instead of the usual 1 or 2. Got caught doing over the speed a couple of times. I always blame it on my heavy shoes!
Anyway, enjoy your wheels!
I got my DL just a few years ago and when I took my test I was 8 months pregnant. Maybe they took pity on me. Parking in a congested Italian city still causes anxiety. I love my bike…
Yay, a huge congrats on your driver’s license, Lorraine! And the Christmas Cottages are absolutely darling…Christmas has come early indeed!
They’re awfully cute! I especially like the coconut snow.
Congratulations on getting your license, very exciting. The cottages are so cute, love how you assembled them, perfect!
This is positively the SWEETEST Swiss Roll I have ever seen!
You had me laughing at 5.24am bringing back memories of my first-drive-fear and the ‘bin’; then you had me drooling over your diviney Yule Log!
Oh Lorraine – those are absolutely *gorgeous*! I love them!
This is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! You are so so talented!
So so happy for you!! I was lucky in that my parents pretty much forced me to learn to drive as a teen even though it wasn’t exactly my favourite thing… But they didn’t teach me to make swiss roll cottages like this!
I think that was a failure on their part
So cute!!
They are super cute!!! And kudos on driving! I think its harder the later you leave it (at 16 I was invincible! Not sure I’d be so eager to drive if I hadn’t started then) so super well done! Well may you wear (an Irish saying for ‘good luck’)!!
Nice! Beats the heck out of constructing a gingerbread house if you’re running out of time.
Congratulations on getting your license. I failed the 1st time, in the centre’s carpark, reversing to start the test. Almost hit a parked car
So you did great in comparison! :p
Woo Lorriane, so happy for you!
Now my turn, fingers crossed
Well done on getting your P’s! I’m 17 and haven’t got mine yet.
As for your BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL (OHMY) cake…it’s really blown me away! I’m doing a cooking course to learn how to make these tonight. Though, I doubt ours will be as pretty as yours. You’re so creative, I hope to make a similarly breathtaking one too! (Well, one day).
i love me a good swiss roll, and this presentation is especially adorable.
congrats on the provisional driver’s license, and extra kudos for not hitting the pedestrian. you definitely should get extra points for that.
Congratulations on getting your licence! I have mine, but I’m too afraid to drive [the rules are very lax over here]
The cottages are adorable, such an easy alternative!
These are so sweet. Love them! Congrats on getting your license.
Congrats on getting your Ps – I was a late bloomer too – 33. I’d had my Ls for basicly half my life!
I love these little cottages. So cute. I’ll be up in the Millawa region over new years so will be hunting down some of that jam.
I’m on my own cake decorating Ls today – covering my first big (9inch) cake in fondant for my daughter’s birthday party tomorrow. The buttercream base seems to have gone well but who knows what high jinx will ensue today!
Hi Lorraine!
Congrats on your P’s. I am 29 and have just got mine about 1 month ago…it’s such a pleasure driving around and having the freedom to get out the house more often, you will soon enjoy it!
I’ve been reading your blog for almost 1 year now, and gal! You offer a lot of food infos that I’ve never thought before! Thank you for sharing your ideas and reviews of eateries…Love them! Keep them coming! I will try to build this Swiss cottage this festive season!
Have a lovely Christmas and New Year!
Congrats on your P’s Lorraine! that is so exciting – i was just telling mum to use you as inspiration to pass her test! true story
Its going to be such a delicious christmas at your home with this cottage, the stollen and the crossata! Counting down to the Christmas feast
BEST IDEA!! These are beyond adorable!!
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