Help - why does my jelly roll cake crack?

[kim2therescue]

I have a recipe for a Ho-Ho cake. Basically, is a chocolate cake, cream filling and chocolate icing, all rolled up jelly-roll style to imitate a Ho-Ho. A former neighbor gave me the recipe which call for using a boxed chocolate cake mix and baked in a jelly roll pan. Supposedly, no special steps needed. All works well, up to the point of unrolling to put in the filling - even after thoroughly cooling several hours, the cake cracks when I unroll it. It's as if the cake is not spongy enough. Suggestions?? Or does someone have a recipe for a chocolate jelly roll cake that they wouldn't mind sharing? Thanks!

[K. Slink]

Sounds like it's a bit overbaked and dried out, try cutting back the time a bit and see what happens...

[BasilRock]

I have a recipe for a Ho-Ho cake.

If you go to recipe search at the top of this page and type in jelly roll you will find a couple of recipes for jelly roll cakes. I like the ones that have a bit more sponge to them. But I am sure you will find one that is to your liking.

[kim2therescue]

Thank you both for your help.

[K. Slink]

Brushing on simple syrup will also help to preserve or add moisture to cakes...