STRAWBERRY COMPOTE (I suggest making a day prior to making the cake roll)

1. Add the strawberries and sugar to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the fruit has softened. Remove from the heat for a brief moment and use a potato masher to mash the strawberries up. Small pieces are okay. Return the saucepan back to medium-low heat and continue to simmer until the strawberry mixture has thickend and reduced to about half. This takes approximately 40 minutes from start to finish.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, allow it to cool, cover with plastic wrap, and chill overnight or until very cold, before adding it to the whipped cream later in this recipe.

CAKE ROLL

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter the bottom and insides of a 10x15x1 jelly roll pan. Line the pan with a piece of parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper and very lightly flour the paper. I lightly sift flour over the paper and tap it off.
3. In a small bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
4. Add the egg whites and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cream of tartar to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk the egg whites on low speed to combine all ingredients. Turn the mixer to high and whisk until the egg whites are stiff and almost tripled in volume. Transfer the egg whites to a medium-size bowl and place them in the refrigerator while you mix the cake batter.
5. Using the same mixing bowl from the egg whites, add the egg yolks and the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and canola oil. Using the paddle attachment, beat the egg and sugar mixture on high until it’s light and lemony in color. The sugar should no longer feel grainy, about 2 minutes.
6. Gently fold about 1/3 of the egg whites into the egg and sugar mixture, turning the mixer on low to do so. Stop and gently fold in the remaining egg whites, using a spatula. You don’t want to incorporate them entirely. There should still be white streaks of egg whites remaining in the batter. They will finish incorporating when you add the dry ingredients.
7. Add the flour in three additions, on medium-low speed, stopping after each addition to scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl. On the last addition, only mix until the flour is just incorporated and stop mixing. If you see some white streaks of egg white remaining that’s okay.
8. Transfer the batter to the prepared jelly roll pan, using an offset spatula to spread the batter out evenly. Tap the pan a few times on a counter to remove any air bubbles and gently shake it back and forth to help level out the batter.
9. Bake the cake on the middle oven rack until it springs back when you touch it or a toothpick comes out clean. It should also be a golden brown color on top. Don’t overbake the cake or it will be dry. This cake only takes about 17 to 20 minutes to bake, depending on your oven. It may only take 15 in your oven so watch it carefully.
10. Meantime, place a large lint-free kitchen towel on a counter or work surface and generously sprinkle it with powdered sugar. I place some powdered sugar in a mesh strainer and shake it evenly over the towel. 
11. Rolling the hot cake: Once the cake is baked, immediately run a knife around the edges of the cake and invert it onto the prepared towel. Starting with a short end, carefully and slowly roll the cake up with the towel. Leave the rolled up cake, seam side down, on a counter, and allow it to cool completely. I don’t recommend placing it in the refrigerator. They seem to crack easier when you unroll and reroll them if they get too cold.
12. Meantime finish making the filling: Add the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk the mixture on low for about 30 seconds then turn the mixer to high and whisk until the whipping cream is thick. Remove the whisk attachment and gently fold in the 1/2 cup of strawberry compote, going down the sides of the bowl, under the whipped cream and back up. 
13. Filling & rolling the cake: Once the cake has completely cooled, very slowly unroll the cake. If it has one or two slight cracks on the inside as you unroll it don’t worry, you’ll be covering them with filling. Using an offset spatula, spread the strawberry cream filling all over the unrolled cake, stopping about 1/2-inch from the edges. Now slowly and gently roll the cake back up, leaving the towel behind as you go. Some of the filling might ooze out of the ends or the seam when you’re done. Don’t worry, just wipe off any excess from the seam and place the cake roll seam side down on a small parchment-lined cookie sheet. Sift some additional powdered sugar over the cake roll. Refrigerate the cake roll for about 30 minutes before slicing. 
14. To slice, use a serrated knife and slice the cake into 1-inch slices.
15. Serve the cake with a small dollop of strawberry compote on the side as garnish.
16. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.