Cherry and hazelnut roulade

Babiche Martens

There’s nothing like a decadent dessert at a picnic. Put this finished roulade in the fridge before presenting it and it should hold together nicely until serving. Light and delicious, it has only a little flour in it. I opted for new season cherries — which are plump and sweet and tasty, but berries would be just as delicious. The hazelnuts add a wonderful crunch — you can buy them already roasted to save you the effort.

Roulade

5	Eggs, separated (Main)
5 Tbsp	Caster sugar
½	Lemons, zest only
3 Tbsp	Flour
½ cup	Hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Filling

200 ml	Cream, whipped
1 cup	Fresh cherries, halved, stones removed; plus extra to serve
½ cup	Hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
1 pinch	Mint leaves, to serve
1 sprinkle	Icing sugar, to serve

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 170C. Line a Swiss roll tin with baking paper. Plus have another piece of baking paper ready for when it comes out of the oven.
2. Place the egg whites into the large bowl of a mixer. Beat until stiff. Slowly add the sugar, then the egg yolks one at a time. Fold through the zest, flour and hazelnuts. Pour into lined tin and spread.
3. Place into the centre of the oven for 15 minutes until just set. Remove and tip carefully on to your second piece of baking paper and roll gently while warm. Let cool.
4. To fill — beat the cream until thick. Fold through half the hazelnuts and cherries. Unroll the roulade carefully. Spread over the cream mixture and reroll. Place on a serving platter.
5. Garnish with hazelnuts, cherries, mint leaves and dust with icing sugar.

More Christmas picnic ideas from Angela

• Upside down tomato tart
• Chicken, artichoke and olive salad