Scrumptious Old-Fashioned Jam Roly Poly Recipe You’ll Love

Jam roly poly is a traditional British pudding that combines simplicity with timeless flavor.

A soft, suet-based dough is rolled up with a layer of sweet jam, then baked until golden and tender.

The contrast between the warm pastry and fruity filling makes it a dessert that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Loved for generations, it has held a special place on family tables for its straightforward preparation and comforting taste.

This recipe requires just a handful of pantry staples yet delivers a result that feels classic and complete.

Serving Ideas for Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

• Savor Classic Custard Pairing: Rich, creamy vanilla custard complements the jam roly poly's warm, soft texture, creating a quintessential British dessert experience with smooth, sweet layers that melt together perfectly.
• Enhance with Cream Options: Serve alongside fresh whipped cream or double cream, adding a luxurious light touch that cuts through the pudding's sweetness and provides a delightful temperature contrast.
• Match with Hot Beverages: Steep a robust English breakfast tea or smooth cappuccino to balance the dessert's sweetness, offering a warming companion that elevates the entire culinary moment.
• Select Dessert Wine: Choose a sweet Sauternes or late harvest Riesling, whose delicate fruity notes harmonize with the jam's richness and complement the pudding's traditional flavor profile.

Storing Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly the Right Way

• Store leftover jam roly poly wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, preserving its soft texture and sweet flavor.
• Slice cooled dessert into portions, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months to enjoy later.
• Warm individual slices on a microwave-safe plate for 20-30 seconds, checking to prevent overheating. Add a small splash of water to maintain moisture.
• Preheat oven to 150C, place slices on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve with fresh custard for best results.

Common Questions About Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

• What is suet, and can I substitute it?

Suet is a type of animal fat used in traditional British baking. You can replace it with vegetable shortening or cold butter for similar texture, though the traditional flavor might slightly change.

• How do I prevent my jam from leaking?

Roll the dough tightly and ensure you leave a small border around the edges when spreading jam. Pinch the seams well to seal and prevent jam from escaping during baking.

• Why do I need to place a tin of water in the oven?

The water creates steam, which helps keep the pudding moist and prevents it from drying out during baking. This technique is common in traditional British steamed pudding recipes.

What Makes Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly So Comforting

• Revive Classic Comfort: Bring back British dessert memories with this traditional jam roly poly that transports you to cozy kitchen moments.
• Minimal Ingredient List: Create a delightful dessert using just a few simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, suet, and jam without complicated shopping trips.
• Quick Family Pleaser: Perfect for weekend baking, this dessert comes together smoothly and offers a warm, sweet treat that kids and adults will adore, making it an instant crowd-favorite.
• Low-Skill Baking Triumph: Beginners can confidently tackle this recipe with straightforward steps, no advanced baking skills required, ensuring a successful and delicious outcome every single time.

Ingredients in Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

• Plain Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the classic British dessert.
• Suet: A traditional fat that gives the roly poly its rich and tender crumb.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to balance the flavors in the dessert.

• Vanilla Extract, Lemon Zest: Enhances the overall taste with subtle aromatic notes.
• Milk: Brings the dough together and helps create a soft, pliable consistency.

• Jam: Provides a sweet, fruity center that creates the classic swirl in the roly poly.

• Baking Paper, Foil: Essential for wrapping and steaming the pudding during baking.
• Butter: Used for greasing the baking paper to prevent sticking.

How to Prepare Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 200°C (or 180°C for fan ovens). Place a tin of warm water on the bottom shelf to create moisture during baking.

Step 2: Create Baking Paper Wrapper

Butter a 40cm sheet of baking paper and lay it on top of a foil sheet that is approximately 15cm longer than the baking paper.

Step 3: Create Dough Base

• Flour
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract or citrus zest
• Suet

Step 4: Form Soft Dough

Gradually add milk to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.

Step 5: Roll Out Dough

Sprinkle flour on a clean work surface and roll the dough into a rectangular shape approximately 23x33cm in size.

Step 6: Add Fruity Filling

Spread jam evenly across the dough surface, leaving a 2cm border around the edges to prevent leaking.

Step 7: Roll and Seal

Carefully roll the dough into a tight cylinder, ensuring the edges are sealed to keep the jam inside.

Step 8: Wrap for Baking

Place the rolled dough seam-side down on the prepared baking paper. Wrap securely in the paper and foil, leaving enough space for the pudding to expand during cooking. Twist the ends closed.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven, unwrap carefully, slice into portions, and serve warm with creamy custard.

Smart Tips for Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

• Place a tin of warm water on the bottom shelf to create a moist baking environment that helps prevent the roly poly from drying out.
• Spread jam evenly, leaving a small border to prevent leakage and ensure neat rolling.
• Use both baking paper and foil, leaving room for expansion to help the pudding steam perfectly without bursting.
• Try different jam flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot to personalize your dessert.
• Always serve warm with custard or vanilla ice cream to enhance the traditional British pudding experience.

Fun Twists on Delia Smith Jam Roly Poly

• Gluten-Free Jam Roly Poly: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a similar texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Version: Swap dairy milk with almond milk and use plant-based margarine instead of butter, creating a dairy-free alternative that maintains the classic pudding's essence.
• Low-Sugar Adaptation: Use sugar-free jam and reduce sugar content, perfect for individuals monitoring their sugar intake while enjoying a traditional British dessert.
• Fruit Variety Remix: Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam to create unique flavor profiles and add personal flair to the classic recipe.

Jam Roly-Poly Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 60-65 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jam roly-poly pudding rolls raspberry jam inside soft pastry and steams it to warm, sticky perfection – a throwback to classic British desserts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients:

• 200 grams (7.05 ounces) self-raising flour
• 100 grams (3.53 ounces) vegetarian suet
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1/2 orange

Liquid Ingredients:

• 150 milliliters (5.07 fluid ounces) milk

Filling:

• 200 grams (7.05 ounces) raspberry jam

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 200C (fan 180C) and position a water-filled tin on the bottom rack to create moisture.
2. Prepare a 40cm baking paper sheet, lightly coating with butter, and layer it atop a slightly longer foil sheet.
3. Combine flour, sugar, aromatic vanilla or citrus zest, and suet in a spacious mixing bowl.
4. Introduce milk gradually, gently kneading until a pliable, cohesive dough forms.
5. On a flour-dusted surface, extend the dough into a rectangular shape approximately 23x33cm.
6. Generously spread jam across the dough surface, maintaining a 2cm border around the edges.
7. Carefully roll the dough into a compact cylinder, ensuring tight closure and pinching the seams securely.
8. Position the roll seam-side down onto the prepared paper, maintaining a relaxed wrapping to allow expansion.
9. Encase the roll completely in buttered paper and foil, twisting the ends to seal while preserving room for rising.
10. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and fully cooked through.
11. Extract from oven, delicately unwrap, slice into portions, and serve while warm alongside creamy custard.

Notes

• Choose high-quality jam with rich fruit flavor for a more intense taste experience.
• Keep dough thickness consistent while rolling to ensure even cooking and texture.
• Create steam during baking by placing water-filled tin on bottom shelf, which helps maintain moisture and softness of the pudding.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 316 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg