Pumpkin Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about our editorial process
Diana Rattray
Portrait of Diana Rattray smiling
Published on 07/26/19 by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 07/26/19

pumpkin cake roll
Diana Rattray
  • Total: 60 mins
  • Prep: 45 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 10 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
412 Calories
25g Fat
43g Carbs
7g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 412
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Sodium 296mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 43g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Protein 7g
Calcium 99mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This irresistible, top-rated, pumpkin spice–flavored cake roll is filled with a scrumptious cream cheese filling. It's among the most popular pumpkin recipes, and one taste will tell you why.

Individual slices keep well in the freezer; bring some out when friends and family stop by. This is the perfect fall or winter holiday cake.

Ingredients

  • For the cake:
  • Oil or shortening (for greasing pan)
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (3 1/2 ounces) (plus more for pan)
  • Powdered sugar (for rolling and dusting)
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (canned solid pack or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon (ground)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans
  • For the filling:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 5 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. 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. Grease and flour the waxed paper.

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

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

  4. In a separate bowl, combine the 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Add to egg mixture, mixing well. Spread batter into the prepared jelly roll pan. If desired, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the batter.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 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 sugared tea towel. Carefully remove the waxed paper. Starting at the 10-inch side, roll up the warm cake, towel and all.

  6. While the cake is cooling in the towel, prepare the cream cheese filling. Sift the cup of powdered sugar into a small bowl and set aside. Beat together cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth.

  7. Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the cake. Roll up the cake—without the towel—and wrap it in plastic wrap. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

  8. 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.

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