Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (2024)

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Pumpkin roll cake combines tender pumpkin cake with a generous swirl of cream cheese filling for a classic Thanksgiving dessert full of Fall flavor.

Grandma’s delicious pumpkin spice roll cake recipe makes multiple appearances throughout the holiday season in our house. The classic pumpkin dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime in between.

For more Fall pumpkin recipes try our pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin dip, baked pumpkin donuts, and chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (1)

Now I know that everyone has a jelly roll pan in their kitchen. And that is ok.

So instead of a jelly roll pan, this easy pumpkin roll recipe uses something that everyone has in their kitchen–a baking sheet!

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (2)

Table of Contents

Ingredients

For this classic Fall dessert you will need:

  • sugar
  • flour
  • baking soda
  • pumpkin spice
  • salt
  • eggs
  • pumpkin puree – be sure you get a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
  • vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar
  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • heavy cream

Baking Supplies

You will also need the following kitchen supplies to make this recipe:

How to Make Pumpkin Roll Cake

Step one. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a half sheet baking pan (18×13-inch) with parchment paper and non-stick cooking spray.

Step two. In a large bowl, whisk to combine sugar, flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Add in the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (3)

Step three. Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer.

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Step four. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the top springs back when gently poked and is no longer sticky.

Step five. While the cake is baking, lay a clean tea towel/kitchen towel out and dust generously with powdered sugar.

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Step six. When the cake has finished baking immediately turn it out onto the towel and remove the parchment paper.

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Step seven. Starting at the shorter end, use the towel to roll the cake tightly into a log. Let it cool fully while wrapped in the towel, about 60 minutes.

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Step eight. Using a hand mixer, beat the powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.

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Step nine. Carefully unroll the cake and spread with an even layer of cream cheese frosting, leaving a small part uncovered around the edges.

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Step ten. Roll the cake back up (without the towel) and transfer to a serving plate. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve (at least one hour).

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When ready to serve, unwrap the pumpkin roll, dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.

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Storage

Refrigerator: Due to the cream cheese filling the pumpkin roll does need to be refrigerated. When wrapped tightly in plastic wrap it will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the cake for 2-3 months. Defrost in refrigerator overnight before serving.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Roll

  • To avoid cracking be sure to roll the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. It will be hot so be careful!
  • If the cream cheese frosting / filling is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add a touch more cream.
  • You want the frosting to be thick enough to hold and not ooze out of the cake, yet not too stiff that it will tear the cake when you are spreading it on. Keep in mind that it will stiffen up a bit while in the refrigerator.
  • For a picture-perfect swirl, slice about ½ inch off each end of the roll before serving. This will give you a picture-perfect roll cake.
Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (12)

More Tasty Thanksgiving Desserts

  • Soft Apple Cookies
  • Pumpkin Crisp
  • Apple Pie Crescent Rolls
  • Pumpkin Cream Cheese Layered Dessert
  • Pecan Pie Cheesecake
  • Apple Pie Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
  • Apple Pie Cupcakes

Recipe

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (13)

Recipe

Pumpkin Roll Cake

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Inactive Time 2 hours hrs

Total: 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Pumpkin roll cake combines tender pumpkin cake with a generous swirl of cream cheese filling for a classic dessert full of Fall flavor.

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake Roll:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • confectioners’ sugar for rolling

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a half sheet pan (18×13-inch) with parchment paper and non-stick cooking spray.

  • In a large bowl, whisk to combine sugar, flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Add in the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla.Mix until just combined.

  • Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer.

  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the top of the cake springs back when gently poked and is no longer sticky.

  • While the cake is baking, lay a clean tea towel/kitchen towel out and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

  • When the cake has finished baking immediately turn it out onto the towel and remove the parchment paper.

  • Starting at the shorter end, use the towel to roll the cake tightly into a log. Let the cake cool fully while wrapped in the towel, about 60 minutes.

  • Using a hand mixer, beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.

  • Carefully unroll the cake and spread with an even layer of cream cheese frosting, leaving a small perimeter (½-1 inch) uncovered around the edges.

  • Roll the cake back up (without the towel) and transfer to a serving plate. Cover with plastic wrap and for one hour, or until chill until ready to serve. When ready to serve, unwrap the cake and dust with powdered sugar. Slice and serve.

Notes

Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freezer for 2-3 months.

To avoid cracking be sure to roll the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Be careful as it will be hot!

If the cream cheese frosting/filling is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add a touch more cream. You want the frosting to be thick enough to hold and not ooze out of the cake, yet not too stiff that it will tear the cake when you are spreading it on. Keep in mind that it will stiffen up a bit while in the refrigerator.

For a picture-perfect swirl, slice about ½ inch off each end of the cake before serving. This will give you a picture-perfect roll cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 447kcal

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (14)

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!

Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (15)
Pumpkin Roll Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Filling) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the pumpkin roll? ›

Roll the cake while it's hot!

This is the secret to a perfectly-swirled roll cake. While the cake is still hot, use the parchment to transfer the cake from the baking pan onto a clean kitchen towel. Using the towel as a hot mitt, roll the cake into a tight spiral from the narrow side.

What is pumpkin roll filling made of? ›

Pumpkin Roll Ingredients

You likely have most of the ingredients you'll need on hand. If not, here's what to add to your grocery list: For the Cake: eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, all-purpose flour, and baking soda. For the Filling: cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, butter, and vanilla extract.

How do you make a pumpkin roll that doesn't crack? ›

How to keep pumpkin roll from cracking: The biggest trick to preventing your cake roll from cracking is to roll the cake up in the parchment paper as soon as it comes out of the oven. The hot cake will be soft and pliable and should roll up without cracking.

Why does my pumpkin roll crack when I roll it? ›

A moist cake has less chance of cracking. Overbaking could also be the culprit. The thin layer of cake batter in the typical 15- by 10- by 1-inch baking pan takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to bake. Check your cake after 8 or 9 minutes and watch closely until it tests done.

Why is my pumpkin roll filling runny? ›

Also, it's crucial that your ingredients are all room temperature so that the cream cheese filling can be nice and sturdy. Otherwise, the filling will be too thin and will ooze out of the pumpkin roll. (If it seems too thin, just add more powdered sugar.)

What's the difference between canned pumpkin and pumpkin filling? ›

They are the same product. Both canned pumpkin puree and pie filling are useful, shelf-stable ingredients that can help speed up your kitchen prep time. Just remember that puree is unsweetened, while pie filling contains sugar and spices. This will help you choose the right pumpkin product for your recipes.

What is the difference between Libby's pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling? ›

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks. Unlike pumpkin pie mix, canned pumpkin does not have any spices, sugars, or other additives. In many cases, the only ingredient is pumpkin.

Does pumpkin roll go bad? ›

Leftover pumpkin roll can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Why does my pumpkin roll get sticky? ›

To keep your cake from becoming sticky: Roll cake immediately after baking (make sure it's cool enough to handle, but still warm). Do not put warm cake in the fridge. Frost only after cake is completely cool.

How to package pumpkin roll? ›

To store your pumpkin roll, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap. Then you can either refrigerate it for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If you choose to freeze the pumpkin roll, be sure to let it thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before serving.

How do you make cream cheese filling thicker? ›

Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. Avoid adding more than 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch per 8 oz (226 grams) of cream cheese.

Why use cream cheese in baking? ›

Application. Cream cheese is used as a perfect companion to many prepared foods and bakery products to provide unique flavor, texture and appearance.

What happens when you whip cream cheese? ›

Unlike regular cream cheese, cream cheese that has been whipped incorporates much more air into the cream cheese due to the whipping process. This additional air gives it that light and fluffy texture, making it perfect as a spread. It's also different from regular cream cheese based on the manufacturing process.

What's the difference between pumpkin puree and filling? ›

Although they both come in cans and the packaging looks almost identical, they can't be used interchangeably. Pumpkin puree doesn't have anything added to it, but pumpkin pie filling comes with pumpkin spice and sugar already mixed in.

What is pumpkin filler? ›

Pumpkin pie filling is pumpkin flavored with spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, and ginger, and is also pre-sweetened. This is a very nice convenience product when you want to make a quick and easy recipe, like this no-bake pumpkin chiffon pie.

What is a pumpkin roll sushi? ›

Arrange lettuce, beetroot, carrots and pumpkin tempura beside mayonnaise. Hold filling in place while rolling up the mat to enclose rice and filling to make a cylinder shape. Repeat with the remaining nori sheet and ingredients. Sprinkle black and white sesame over surface of rice.

Is pumpkin pie filling made from pumpkins? ›

There's only one problem: There are almost no genuine pumpkin pies in the world. As Emma Crist lamented on MyRecipes.com, those thousands of cans on supermarket shelves that say they contain 100 percent pumpkin puree are flat-out lying to you. What's inside is actually 100 percent squash.

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