This is my Vovo’s (Grandmother in Portuguese) recipe for Old Fashioned Jelly Rolls. My Vovo had ten kids so she had quite a few quick but delicious dessert recipes that could be made with just a few simple ingredients.

Growing up it wasn’t unusual for her small kitchen to fill up with 10-15 people– my aunts, uncles and cousins. And she could whip up a batch of jelly rolls at a moment’s notice.

This was my first time making her recipe and they taste just like I remember.

The key to this recipe is not to under or over bake the cake layer. If you find the cake tacky and difficult to work with, it may be under baked. And over baked if it’s dry or has brown crispy edges. Just keep an eye out the last few minutes of baking and you should be fine.

I used strawberry jam. My Vovo would use whatever jam or jelly she had in her pantry. That said, the strawberry jam was sooooo good! Feel free to try another type of seedless jam or jelly.