The Best Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

Pumpkin rolls embody the quintessential autumn dessert that upgrades simple ingredients into a spectacular centerpiece.

Delicate spices and creamy filling create a mesmerizing sensory experience that captures seasonal comfort.

Soft, pillowy cake wrapped around luxurious cream cheese frosting promises pure indulgence with every delectable slice.

Bakers love this dessert for its elegant presentation and surprisingly manageable preparation process.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic treat that balances sweet and tangy flavors.

Kitchen novices and experienced pastry enthusiasts alike can master this impressive dessert with confidence.

The magic happens when humble ingredients come together in a harmonious culinary dance.

Why Classic Pumpkin Roll Is a Timeless Favorite

• Festive Fall Favorite: Capture the essence of autumn with this classic pumpkin roll that brings cozy spices and seasonal warmth to your dessert table.
• Surprising Texture Adventure: Experience the delightful contrast between the soft, tender pumpkin cake and the smooth, creamy cream cheese filling that melts in your mouth.
• Impressive Yet Simple Technique: Master the elegant rolling method that transforms an ordinary cake into a stunning dessert, perfect for wowing guests without requiring advanced baking skills.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up this showstopping dessert in under an hour of active preparation, making it an ideal treat for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or weekend family celebrations.

What You’ll Need for a Beautiful Pumpkin Roll

• All-Purpose Flour: Fine powdery ingredient that provides structure and stability to the cake.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Baking Soda: Helps create a light texture and balances the acidity in the recipe.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds signature fall flavor to the pumpkin roll.
• Ground Cloves: Aromatic spice that enhances the pumpkin's deep, rich taste.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and richness to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a smooth, tender cake texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: Signature ingredient that gives moisture and classic autumn flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base that creates a smooth, tangy filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor of the filling.

• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy cake removal from the pan.
• Cotton Kitchen Towel: Helps roll the cake without cracking.
• Powdered Sugar (for dusting): Decorative finishing touch that adds a sweet visual appeal.

Rolling Up a Pumpkin Cake Without the Cracks

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Canvas

• Warm the oven to 375°F
• Grease a 13×18-inch half sheet pan
• Line pan with parchment paper
• Grease and dust paper with flour
• Sprinkle a cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar

Step 2: Create the Magical Cake Batter

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Salt

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Pumpkin puree

Whisk dry ingredients separately. In a mixer bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale yellow. Fold in pumpkin. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients until smooth.

Step 3: Bake the Delicate Cake Layer

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 13-15 minutes until cake springs back when touched. Immediately transfer cake to sugar-dusted towel.

Step 4: Craft the Cake Roll

Carefully peel off parchment paper. Roll cake and towel together from narrow end. Cool completely on wire rack.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

Mix until silky smooth.

Step 6: Assemble the Pumpkin Roll

Gently unroll cooled cake. Spread filling evenly across cake surface. Carefully reroll cake without towel.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Wrap rolled cake in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Tips for That Smooth Swirl and Sweet Filling

• Prep the Pan Perfectly: Create a non-stick surface by thoroughly greasing the pan, lining with parchment paper, then greasing and flouring the paper to ensure easy cake removal.
• Master the Cake Texture: Beat eggs and sugar until they become thick and pale yellow, which creates a light, airy sponge cake texture that rolls smoothly without cracking.
• Roll While Warm: Immediately roll the cake in the sugared towel right after baking to help prevent cracking and train the cake to maintain its rolled shape.
• Chill for Clean Slices: Refrigerate the rolled cake for at least an hour before serving to help the filling set and make cutting clean, precise slices easier.
• Prevent Filling Leakage: Let the cake cool completely before spreading filling to avoid a runny, messy cream cheese layer that could make rolling difficult.

Best Ways to Keep Your Pumpkin Roll Fresh

• Refrigerate: Wrap the pumpkin roll tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its delicious cream cheese filling fresh and cake texture intact.
• Freeze: Slice the roll into individual portions, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months, preserving its rich pumpkin flavor and creamy filling.
• Thaw: Remove frozen pumpkin roll from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enjoy its soft, moist texture and full taste.

Drinks and Desserts That Pair with Pumpkin Roll

• Warmly Welcome Seasonal Spices: Pair this classic pumpkin roll with a steaming mug of chai tea, which complements the warm cinnamon and clove notes in the dessert, creating a cozy autumn flavor explosion.
• Elevate with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the roll's rich cream cheese filling and provide a cool contrast to the spiced cake.
• Boost with Beverage Bliss: Match this dessert with a glass of mulled apple cider or a smooth bourbon to highlight the pumpkin's deep, comforting flavors and add an extra layer of seasonal warmth.
• Complement with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some toasted pecans or walnuts around the plate to add textural interest and bring out the subtle nuttiness in the pumpkin roll's complex flavor profile.

Flavor Swaps and Mix-Ins to Try in Your Next Roll

• Autumn Harvest Roll: Replace pumpkin with sweet potato puree and add nutmeg for a rustic, earthy flavor profile that celebrates seasonal produce.
• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Swirl: Mix chopped pecans into the cream cheese filling and drizzle maple syrup on top for a rich, nutty complement to the classic recipe.
• Spiced Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll: Enhance the filling by incorporating ground ginger and cardamom, creating a more complex and warming spice experience.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Roll: Fold mini chocolate chips into the cake batter before baking, adding a delightful chocolate crunch to the traditional dessert.

Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky cream cheese filling swirls through delicate pumpkin spice cake in this classic autumn dessert from American kitchens. Rolled with precision and dusted with powdered sugar, this seasonal treat promises pure comfort and nostalgic sweetness you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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For the Cake (Main Ingredients):

• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar (225g)
• ⅔ cup canned pumpkin (175g)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (115g)

Spices and Leavening Agents:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (227g)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (125g)
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened (84g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare a half sheet pan by coating with grease, layering parchment paper, then dusting with flour and powdered sugar. Strategically position a cotton kitchen towel nearby for cake transfer.
2. Craft the cake base by whisking dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt – into a harmonious blend.
3. In a separate mixing vessel, whip eggs and granulated sugar until achieving a luxurious pale yellow texture and voluminous consistency.
4. Gently fold pumpkin puree into the egg mixture, ensuring smooth incorporation.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until a uniform batter emerges.
6. Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared pan, creating a smooth, consistent layer.
7. Slide the pan into a preheated 375°F oven, baking for approximately 13-15 minutes until the cake surface springs back when delicately touched.
8. Immediately after removing from oven, swiftly transfer the cake onto the powdered sugar-dusted towel.
9. Carefully peel away the parchment paper and commence rolling the cake with the towel from the narrow end, allowing complete cooling.
10. Whip cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract into a silky, smooth filling.
11. Once cooled, gently unroll the cake and eliminate the towel.
12. Spread the cream cheese mixture uniformly across the cake’s interior surface.
13. Carefully re-roll the cake, ensuring a tight, even configuration.
14. Encase the rolled cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.
15. Prior to serving, optionally dust with additional powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Use a half sheet pan with parchment paper for perfect, even baking that prevents sticking and ensures easy cake removal.
• Sugar Towel Trick: Dusting the kitchen towel with powdered sugar prevents the delicate cake from clinging and makes rolling seamless without tearing.
• Timing is Everything: Watch the cake closely during baking; 13-15 minutes is critical for achieving the ideal soft, springy texture that rolls without cracking.
• Cooling Matters: Allow the cake to cool completely before filling to prevent the cream cheese mixture from melting and ensure a clean, stable roll.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.
• Serving Suggestion: A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a beautiful finishing touch and a touch of sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 301
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 80mg