Cinnamon, Cloves: Warm spices that bring cozy autumn flavor and aromatic depth.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create smooth, golden cake texture.
Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cake's tender structure.
Pumpkin Puree: Delivers rich, earthy flavor and moist texture to the cake.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For The Filling:
Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for the creamy filling.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize filling.
Butter: Provides richness and smooth consistency.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic sweetness to the filling.
For Finishing:
Powdered Sugar: Decorative touch that adds a delicate, sweet finish.
Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
Cotton Kitchen Towel: Helps roll cake without cracking and absorbs excess moisture.
Tools You’ll Need for a Pumpkin Roll
Half sheet pan: Essential for baking the thin, even cake layer.
Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
Cotton kitchen towel: Helps roll the cake without cracking.
Mixer: Critical for beating eggs, sugar, and creating cream cheese filling.
Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
Small mixing bowls: Used for preparing dry and wet ingredients.
Wire rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and completely.
Plastic wrap: Helps store and shape the rolled cake.
Sifter or fine mesh strainer: Optional for dusting powdered sugar.
How to Make a Classic Pumpkin Roll Easily
Pumpkin Roll Adventure
Towel Preparation Dust a clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar, creating a soft landing spot for your delicate cake.
Batter Creation Whip eggs and sugar into a fluffy cloud, then fold in pumpkin and dry ingredients until silky smooth. The mixture should look like liquid gold.
Baking Magic Pour the batter into a lined pan, spreading it evenly like a warm blanket. Bake until the surface bounces back with a gentle touch, about 13-15 minutes.
Cake Rolling Technique Immediately flip the hot cake onto the sugared towel. Carefully peel away the paper and roll the cake with the towel, creating a cozy spiral. Let it rest and cool completely.
Creamy Filling Blend cream cheese, sugar, butter, and vanilla until impossibly smooth and dreamy.
Final Assembly Gently unroll the cooled cake, spread the filling like a luxurious blanket, then re-roll into a perfect swirl.
Chill and Serve Wrap your creation in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Before serving, dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar.
Pro Tip: The secret is patience and a delicate touch – your pumpkin roll will be a showstopper!
Pumpkin Roll Flavor and Texture Tips
Swap regular cream cheese for whipped cream cheese to create an extra-light, airy filling that melts in your mouth.
Prepare the entire pumpkin roll up to 3 days in advance and store wrapped in the refrigerator, making holiday entertaining a breeze.
Experiment with different fall spices like nutmeg or ginger to customize the flavor profile and add a personal touch to the classic recipe.
Garnish the finished roll with chopped pecans, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a light sprinkle of cinnamon to elevate the presentation and add texture.
Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this dessert accessible for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious treat.
Ways to Serve Pumpkin Roll with Flair
Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert display by placing the pumpkin roll on a elegant cake stand with scattered cinnamon sticks and whole nutmegs around it for a warm, inviting presentation.
Cozy Autumn Pairing: Serve thick slices alongside a steaming mug of hot apple cider or spiced chai tea to enhance the seasonal flavors and provide a comforting flavor combination.
Garnish Elegance: Dust the rolled cake with extra powdered sugar, add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, or garnish with candied pecans and a few fresh mint leaves to elevate the visual appeal and add delightful texture.
Dessert Plating Perfection: Cut the roll into beautiful diagonal slices and arrange them artfully on individual dessert plates with a small dollop of whipped cream and a light drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent finishing touch.
How to Store Your Pumpkin Roll Properly
Refrigeration Strategies: Store the pumpkin roll tightly wrapped in plastic film inside an airtight container. Keep chilled for up to 5 days to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Freezing Techniques: Wrap the entire roll securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month without compromising taste or quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Temperature Tips: Remove the pumpkin roll from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes prior to slicing. Room temperature helps enhance the cream cheese filling's smoothness and brings out deeper flavor notes.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pumpkin roll completely up to 2 days before your event. Refrigeration allows the filling to set beautifully and intensifies the dessert's delicious taste profile.
Pumpkin roll delights with spiced cake embracing creamy cream cheese filling. Sweet autumn memories unfold when you savor each delectable slice from this cherished seasonal dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
3 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup (225g) granulated sugar
⅔ cup (175g) canned pumpkin
¾ cup (115g) all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp salt
8 oz (227g) cream cheese (softened)
6 tbsps (84g) butter (softened)
1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
4 tbsps powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsps powdered sugar (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Prep Station: Grease a half sheet pan, line with parchment, and dust with flour and powdered sugar. Position a cotton kitchen towel nearby for cake transfer.
Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt into a harmonious mixture.
Egg Transformation: Whip eggs and granulated sugar until achieving a pale yellow, voluminous texture.
Batter Creation: Fold pumpkin puree into the egg mixture, then gradually incorporate dry ingredients until a uniform batter forms.
Baking Precision: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake at 375°F for 13-15 minutes until the surface springs back when touched.
Cake Maneuvering: Immediately transfer the hot cake onto the sugar-dusted towel, peel off parchment, and roll from the narrow end, allowing complete cooling.
Filling Fabrication: Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract into a silky, smooth mixture.
Assembly Artistry: Unroll the cooled cake, spread the cream cheese filling uniformly, and re-roll tightly.
Finishing Flourish: Wrap the rolled cake in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour. Before serving, dust with additional powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Notes
Prep Pan Perfectly: Use parchment paper and dust with flour to prevent sticking and ensure clean cake removal.
Control Baking Time: Watch closely for 13-15 minutes; cake should spring back when touched to avoid overbaking and dryness.
Roll While Warm: Transfer and roll cake immediately after baking with towel to prevent cracking and maintain flexible texture.
Chill for Best Flavor: Refrigerate rolled cake for at least one hour to set filling and enhance overall taste and texture.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.