Skip to content

back to Cakes, bakes and desserts

Jam roly-poly

Bring back childhood memories with this quick and easy recipe for a nostalgic British classic. Use a traditional strawberry filling or go for a bit of a twist with a different flavour of jam. Everyone will be reaching for a second helping either way.

15 minutes prep. time
45 minutes cooking time
Serves 6–8
Cakes, bakes & desserts

Jam roly poly cut into a few slices on a chopping board, spoon with custard on the side — Enjoy this classic pudding with custard – perfect for cold evenings | © National Trust/William Shaw

275g self-raising flour
150g vegetable suet
35g caster sugar
175ml water
175g jam
A pinch of salt

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 170°C (150°C fan/gas mark 3) and line a 900g loaf tin with parchment paper to prevent the roly-poly from sticking.

Step 2

Place the flour, suet, sugar and salt into a large bowl and add just enough of the water to bring it together into a light, elastic dough.

Step 3

Continue to knead the dough until it comes clean away from the sides of the bowl and is slightly tacky to the touch.

Step 4

Place onto a well-floured worktop and shape into a rectangle.

Step 5

Roll out the dough so that it is the same length as the loaf tin, and at least three times the width. You want it to be about 5mm thick.

Step 6

Spread the dough with jam, leaving a 2cm border at one end.

Step 7

Roll the dough tightly and seal carefully with a little water on the 2cm border you left.

Step 8

Place into the lined loaf tin, with the seam facing down.

Step 9

Cover with some loosely fitting foil and place in the oven for 30–45 minutes, until golden, risen and a skewer comes out clean.

Step 10

Serve warm with lashings of custard.

Spiced toffee apple cake

Recipes

From tried and tested classic bakes to healthy dishes the whole family can enjoy, find inspiration for your next meal.

Recipes to make at home

Cakes and biscuits in the tea-room at Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd, Wales

Making our recipes at home

The recipes on our website might differ from those served at the places in our care as they’re adapted for you to make at home.

Visitors in the tearoom at East Riddlesden Hall, Yorkshire

Places to eat

Discover some of the best cafés, restaurants and tea-rooms at the places in our care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find a place to eat near you, as well as special deals and allergen information.

Round lavender shortbread with white icing and dried lavender on top

Recipe

Recipe

Lavender shortbread

Fill your kitchen with the sweet and aromatic flavours of our floral-inspired shortbread – delicious served with an afternoon cuppa or as a gift to share with family and friends.

Looking down on shortbread biscuits topped with rhubarb compote and mixed yogurt and cream, drizzled with red wine syrup. A cupful of cream and yogurt is to the right, and shortbread biscuits cool on a rack to the back.

Cakes, bakes and desserts

We love food and we've got some great recipes to prove it. Here are some of our favourite cakes, bakes and dessert recipes from our chefs and local experts.