Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Roll

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A festive dessert made with spiced pumpkin cake rolled around a sweet cream cheese filling. Soft, moist, and visually stunning with its spiral layers, it’s a holiday classic that delights every time.

INGREDIENTS:
For the Cake:

  • 3/4 cup all‑purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTION:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 15×10‑inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick. Stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla.
  4. Fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 13–15 minutes until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
  6. Immediately turn cake onto a towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment and roll up the cake in the towel. Cool completely.
  7. For filling: beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
  8. Unroll cooled cake, spread filling evenly, then roll back up. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
  9. Slice and serve dusted with powdered sugar.

SERVINGS: 8–10 slices

NOTE:

  • Chill before slicing for neat spirals.
  • Can be made ahead and frozen; thaw in fridge before serving.
  • Add chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture.

Pumpkin roll is one of those desserts that feels like autumn wrapped in a swirl. The pumpkin puree gives the cake its moist texture and earthy sweetness, while cinnamon and nutmeg infuse it with warmth. Rolling the cake while warm ensures it holds its spiral shape, and the cream cheese filling adds a tangy richness that balances the sweetness perfectly.

This dessert has become a holiday staple because it’s both beautiful and practical. It can be made ahead, stored in the fridge or freezer, and sliced just before serving. The presentation — golden cake spiraled around creamy filling — makes it look far more complicated than it is, impressing guests without requiring hours of effort.

Pumpkin roll also carries a sense of nostalgia. Many families bake it during Thanksgiving or Christmas, passing down the recipe through generations. It’s a dessert that signals celebration, comfort, and togetherness.

Whether you serve it as the grand finale to a holiday meal or as a cozy treat with coffee, pumpkin roll is guaranteed to bring smiles. It’s proof that simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create something truly special.

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