Description
This pumpkin roll is the ultimate fall dessert—soft, spiced sponge cake wrapped around a luscious cream cheese filling. It looks impressive, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. With warm spices and silky filling in every bite, this dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, or cozy weekends at home. It keeps well in the fridge or freezer and slices cleanly for effortless serving. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your first roll cake, this detailed recipe will guide you through every step to ensure success.
Ingredients
Scale
1. For the Cake:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup canned pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2. For the Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
3. Additional:
- ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling
- More powdered sugar for dusting before serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 10×15 jelly roll pan with parchment paper and grease lightly.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- In a larger bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 3–5 minutes. Add pumpkin and vanilla.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
- Spread into prepared pan and bake 13–15 minutes until springy to touch.
- Invert onto a clean, powdered sugar-dusted towel. Peel off parchment. Roll the cake with the towel and let cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Unroll cooled cake, spread filling evenly, and re-roll without the towel.
- Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter—gentle folding keeps it light.
- Use enough powdered sugar on the towel to avoid sticking.
- Chill before slicing for clean, neat swirls.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8–10
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg