Brazo de Gitano Recipe: Classic Spanish Rolled Cake 2026

Brazo de gitano is a classic Spanish rolled cake that brings together a light, airy sponge and a creamy filling in one beautiful swirl. The name means "gypsy's arm," and it's a staple in Spanish bakeries and home kitchens alike. This version uses a simple genovese-style sponge and a rich cookie cream filling, but you can adapt it to your favorite spread.

The key to a perfect brazo de gitano is rolling the sponge while it's still warm so it holds its shape without cracking. Once cooled, it's unrolled, filled, and rolled back up for a stunning dessert that looks like it took hours. With just 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes in the oven, it's surprisingly quick to make.

Whether you're craving a sweet treat for a weekend gathering or want to impress guests with a traditional Spanish dessert, this brazo de gitano delivers. The dusting of powdered sugar on top gives it a rustic, inviting finish that's hard to resist.

Ingredients for Brazo de Gitano

For 8 servings

• 3 medium eggs, at room temperature
• 100 g sugar (95 g for the sponge and 5 g for sprinkling)
• 95 g wheat flour
• 400 g filling (we used Lotus cookie cream)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

How to Make Brazo de Gitano Step by Step

1. Beat the eggs with sugar

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Place 3 medium eggs in a bowl and beat them with 95 g of sugar for 3 minutes until they double in volume and the mixture turns pale and creamy.

2. Fold in the flour

Using a spatula, gently fold 95 g of wheat flour into the egg mixture until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the batter.

3. Pour the batter into the mold

Pour the batter into a 25x30 cm mold or onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, folding the edges to contain the batter. Spread it evenly.

4. Bake for 10 minutes

Bake the sponge for 10 minutes with both top and bottom heat at 160°C, until the edges start to color. Don't overbake, but make sure it's not raw; you can test with a toothpick.

5. Sprinkle sugar on parchment paper

While the sponge bakes, sprinkle the remaining 5 g of sugar over a sheet of parchment paper.

6. Flip the sponge onto the paper

Once baked and still hot, carefully flip the sponge onto the sugared parchment paper and remove the mold or original paper.

7. Roll the sponge on itself

Using the parchment paper, roll the sponge from the short side and let it cool completely on a wire rack. If using a fluid filling like jam, you can skip this step.

8. Fill as desired

Once cool, unroll the sponge and spread the filling evenly over the surface. A piping bag can make this easier. For dense fillings like the one used here, you'll need 400 g; for fluid fillings like jam, use about half that amount.

9. Roll the filled sponge and chill

Roll the sponge back up and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. For a neater finish, trim the ends before serving.

10. Decorate with powdered sugar and serve

Dust the brazo de gitano with powdered sugar and serve. You can also decorate with cream, chocolate, almonds, fruit, or meringue as you like.

Tips for the Best Brazo de Gitano

Choose the right filling

For dense fillings like cookie cream or chocolate ganache, use 400 g and roll the sponge while warm to prevent cracking. For fluid fillings like jam, use about 200 g and skip the pre-rolling step.

Roll while warm

Rolling the sponge while it's still warm helps it hold its shape and prevents cracks. Let it cool completely in the rolled position before unrolling to fill.

Decorate creatively

To avoid messing up your serving plate, place parchment paper around the cake before decorating and remove it afterward. Try powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh fruit, or toasted almonds for a beautiful finish.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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