Pumpkin Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

Make the Cake

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4). Grease a 10-by-15-inch jelly roll pan with oil or shortening and line it with waxed paper or parchment paper. Grease and flour the waxed paper.

   

3. Place a kitchen tea towel (not terry cloth) on the counter and sprinkle it liberally with powdered sugar. Set aside.

   

4. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, lightly beat the eggs. Gradually add the granulated sugar; beat until thick and light yellow in color, about 4 to 5 minutes.

   

5.  Add the pumpkin puree and lemon juice and beat on low speed until blended.

   

6. In a separate bowl, combine the 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.

   

7. Fold the dry ingredients to the egg mixture.

   

8. Spread batter into the prepared jelly roll pan. If desired, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the batter.

   

9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. The cake will spring back when touched lightly with a finger. Remove the cake from the oven and immediately turn out onto the powder sugar dusted tea towel.

   

10. Carefully remove the waxed or parchment paper from the cake.

    

11. Starting at the 10-inch side, roll up the warm cake, towel and all. Set aside.

    

Make the Filling and Assemble the Cake

1. While the cake is cooling in the towel, prepare the cream cheese filling. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Beat together cream cheese and butter until fluffy.

   

3. Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth.

   

4. Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the cake.

   

5. Roll up the cake—without the towel—and wrap it in plastic wrap. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

   

6. When you're ready to serve the cake, dust the top with powdered sugar. Slice the cake into 1-inch-thick pieces. Keep leftover slices refrigerated.

   

Tip

The pumpkin roll freezes well. Wrap the whole cake or individual slices in plastic wrap and then put in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.