Budapestrulle is a traditional Swedish dessert served in cafes and bakeries as Budapest Roll Cake.

Our easy homemade recipe features a soft and crunchy hazelnut meringue sponge, which is rolled around a filling of vanilla whipped cream and mandarin orange segments. The gluten-free dessert is then garnished with melted dark chocolate and chopped roasted hazelnuts.

We love making this delicious roll cake during the holiday season as the festive flavours of chocolate, hazelnuts and orange make for the perfect addition to any dessert table.

Serve a slice of Budapestrulle with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or orange sorbet and a whisper of vanilla whipped cream for a truly mouth-watering dessert that is sure to impress your guests!

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What Is Budapestrulle?

Budapestrulle, also known as Budapestbakelse, Budapestlängd or Budapeststubbe, is a gluten-free cake popular in Swedish cafes that translates simply to “Budapest Roll.”

The popular pastry was created by Swedish pastry chef Ingvar Strid in the 1920’s. Strid who invented the recipe in his hometown of Vetlanda in Småland, was interviewed In 1992. He shared the story on how he invented the popular Swedish dessert in an interview with Jakob Bysken.

The Budapest Roll has its very own day, which is celebrated on the 1st of May, and has it’s own Facebook page! On this day, it is a hilarious requirement to eat at least 2 slices, at the very least!

Traditional recipes for Budapestrulle feature a light and crunchy hazelnut meringue sponge filled with vanilla whipped cream and mandarin oranges. The dessert is often drizzled with melted chocolate and sprinkled with chopped roasted hazelnuts.

Today, Swedish bakeries and bakers get creative by adding other fillings, like fresh raspberries and strawberries. They may even spike the whipped cream with flavoured liqueur.

Traditional Budapestrulle recipe ingredients.

Travel To Sweden by Making Budapestrulle at Home

I love traveling to Europe!

During my first visit to the continent I traveled for 5 months by train and plane. I had the opportunity to eat my way through Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Russia, Estoni a, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Turkey and Italy.

I’ve also traveled extensively through Scandinavia, eating my way through the best restaurants in Westfjords, Reykjavik, Helsinki, Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Goteborg.

My fondest food memory of Sweden is the country’s enthusiasm for cakes and pies! I was in Goteborg on Midsommar, instantly falling in love with Jordgubbstårta, Smörgåstårta and Swedish Budapestrulle thanks to all the local bakeries selling thick slices overflowing with whipped cream.

There’s nothing more delightful than sipping a frothy cappuccino at a Swedish bakery while forking through a soft and fluffy Budapest Roll slice.

Once back home from a Scandinavian holiday you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the flavours of Sweden and can impress friends and family by making your very own homemade Budapestrulle recipe!

Pipe hazelnut meringue ont a parchment-lined baking sheet.

My Family Loves Swedish Budapest Roll Cake

After encountering Budapestrulle on a visit to Sweden I thought I should introduce the delicious gluten-free dessert to my family.

On Christmas Eve as snow floated outside our kitchen window I prepared this Budapest Roll Cake recipe so I could serve it at our festive dessert table the following day.

One of the major benefits of Budapestrulle is that it can easily be made a day or two in advance when stored in the fridge. Dare I say it may taste even better as the filling rests inside the roll.

I knew my parents would love this roll because they love gluten free desserts, eye-catching Christmas cakes, fluffy whipped cream and roasted nuts.

You can enjoy Budapest Roll Cake at any time of year, just be sure to pair the filling and flavour with seasonal fruit. In the Fall we like to fill the roll with pear compote while in the summer fresh berries are divine!

Slather baked meringue with whipping cream and top with mandarin orange segments.

Traditional Budapestrulle Ingredients

Egg Whites
White Sugar
Cornstarch
Vinegar
Roasted Hazelnuts
Whipping Cream
Icing Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Dark Chocolate

Gently roll Budapestrulle using parchment.

How To Make Budapest Roll Cake

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Whip the egg whites with salt in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment until light and fluffy. Start adding the sugar, bit by bit. Keeping whisking until you reach stiff peak. Add the cornstarch and white wine vinegar and whisk again.
Fold in the roughly ground hazelnuts. Fill a piping bag with meringue mixture. Pipe into a prepared rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper in an even layer.
Bake for around 25-30 minutes until the meringue is firm, slightly cracked on top and lightly browned. Leave to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Cut a piece of baking parchment slightly larger than the pan and place on the worktop. Carefully turn the meringue out onto the baking parchment and let cool.
Meanwhile, whip the cream for the filling with the icing sugar and vanilla until stiff. Chop the mandarins into small pieces.
Peel away the parchment from the cold meringue. Spread an even layer of the whipped cream on top of the meringue and then add the mandarin pieces. Very carefully roll up the meringue lengthwise, as tightly and neatly as possible, using the baking parchment to help you.
Transfer to a large serving plate, making sure the seam is underneath. Drizzle the melted chocolate across the top, then sprinkle with the toasted chopped hazelnuts. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Garnish Budapestrulle with melted chocolate and chopped hazelnuts.

Budapestrulle Recipe Baking Tips

Ready to bake a homemade Budapest Roll? We suggest reading the recipe directions below in detail to ensure you understand the step by step process. Here are some tips and ticks to get you started:

We prepare the meringue in a stand mixer but you can use a large bowl and egg beaters instead.
Traditional Budapestrulle meringue is made with chopped roasted hazelnuts but you can substitute with pecans or walnuts if you prefer.
We suggest using a piping bag to spread out the meringue onto the parchment paper with precision. If you don’t have a piping bag use an offset spatula.
Do not pipe the meringue directly onto a baking sheet as it will likely get stuck and you will be unable to roll it properly.
We like to flavour the whipped cream with vanilla and icing sugar but you can have fun with ingredients by using Frangelico or another flavoured liqueur.
Authentic Budapestrulle is prepared with canned Mandarin Orange segments but the recipe is very versatile, you might like to substitute with plums and peaches in the summer, for example.
We like to drizzle the Budapest Roll with drizzled dark chocolate but you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer.
Be sure to chill the cake in the fridge before slicing and serving. This will ensure the meringue gets firm, whipped cream cools and keeps its structure and chocolate drizzle hardens.
When ready to serve be sure to use a serrated bread knife to gently cut each slice, this will ensure the the meringue does not squish and flatten.

Budapestrulle Swedish Budapest Roll Cake Photo Image.

What To Serve With Swedish Budapest Roll Cake

This eye-catching Swedish dessert is perfect for celebrating special occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas.

We love serving a Budapest Roll slice with a pot of tea or piping hot coffee. If you’re feeling truly decadent, we like to serve a slice of Budapestrulle with vanilla ice cream or orange sorbet.

If you’re hosting a Scandinavian inspired lunch or dinner you may like to serve this Swedish Budapest Roll recipe with these popular recipes:

We love serving this Swedish roll cake during the holidays at Christmas parties.

How To Store Budapestrulle

If you have leftover roll cake store slices in a container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

We do not suggest storing this delicate dessert in the freezer as once thawed the whipping cream will get runny and hazelnut sponge will get soggy. It really does need to be enjoyed fresh!

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How To Make Traditional Budapestrulle Swedish Budapest Roll Cake

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