Strawberry Swiss Roll Cake

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 4 large eggs, separated
• ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the filling and topping:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ¼ cup strawberry jam or preserves, warmed
  Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with ¼ cup of granulated sugar until pale and thick. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
4. Gently fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Sift the flour over the mixture and carefully fold it in until just combined, being careful not to deflate the batter.
5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
6. While the cake is baking, lay a clean kitchen towel on a flat surface and dust it generously with powdered sugar.
   As soon as the cake is out of the oven, immediately invert it onto the prepared towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
   Starting from one short end, tightly roll the cake and the towel together. Let it cool completely in the roll.
7. Make the filling:
   In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with ½ cup powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
8. Assemble the cake:
   Once the cake is completely cool, carefully unroll it. Spread an even layer of the whipped cream over the entire surface of the cake.
   Arrange about half of the sliced strawberries over the whipped cream.
   Starting from the short end again, carefully and tightly re-roll the cake.
   Transfer the swiss roll to a serving platter. Drizzle with the warmed strawberry jam.
   Decorate the top with the remaining sliced strawberries, extra dollops of whipped cream, and fresh mint leaves if desired. Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.