Festive Pumpkin Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Swirl
Delight your senses with this exquisite Festive Pumpkin Cake Roll, perfectly crafted for the holiday season. This delightful treat is not only visually stunning with its charming cream cheese swirl, but its rich pumpkin flavor, fragrant spices, and delightful cream cheese filling come together to create a truly irresistible dessert. Ideal for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas celebrations, you can prepare and freeze the pumpkin roll ahead of time, allowing it to impress your guests with minimal last-minute effort. Serve it dusted with powdered sugar for an added touch of elegance.
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Powdered sugar
1/4 cup (for sprinkling on the towel)
All-purpose flour
3/4 cup (sifted)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
Ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Large eggs
3 (at room temperature)
Granulated sugar
1 cup
Canned pumpkin (Libby's)
2/3 cup
Black gel food coloring
as needed (for creating spiderweb design)
Walnuts (optional)
1 cup (chopped)
Cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
Powdered sugar
1 cup
Butter or margarine
6 tablespoons (softened)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
Powdered sugar
1/4 cup (for serving)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Festive Pumpkin Cake Roll?
It is a visually stunning dessert consisting of a spiced pumpkin sponge cake rolled around a rich cream cheese filling, often decorated for the holidays.
How many servings does this pumpkin roll make?
This recipe is designed to yield 10 servings.
Can I freeze the pumpkin cake roll?
Yes, you can prepare and freeze the pumpkin roll ahead of time, making it a great option for minimizing last-minute holiday prep.
What spices are used in the cake?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves to create a fragrant, spiced flavor.
What brand of pumpkin is recommended?
The recipe specifically lists Libby's canned pumpkin as the preferred choice.
How much pumpkin puree is needed?
You will need 2/3 cup of canned pumpkin for the cake batter.
Is the cream cheese filling difficult to make?
No, it is a simple blend of softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter or margarine, and vanilla extract.
Why is powdered sugar used on a towel?
1/4 cup of powdered sugar is sprinkled on a towel to prevent the cake from sticking while it is rolled and cooled.
What is the purpose of the black gel food coloring?
The black gel food coloring is used optionally to create a festive spiderweb design on the cake roll.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, you can add 1 cup of chopped walnuts for extra texture, though they are optional.
What temperature should the eggs be?
The three large eggs should be at room temperature for the best results in the cake batter.
How much flour is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour, which should be sifted.
What leavening agents are used?
The cake uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for 6 tablespoons of either softened butter or margarine in the filling.
What size package of cream cheese is needed?
You will need one 8-ounce package of softened cream cheese.
Is this dessert suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, with its rich pumpkin flavor and warm spices, it is an ideal dessert for Thanksgiving.
How do you garnish the pumpkin roll before serving?
It is recommended to dust the finished cake roll with an additional 1/4 cup of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
How much granulated sugar is in the cake?
The pumpkin cake batter requires 1 cup of granulated sugar.
What is the total amount of powdered sugar needed?
You need a total of 1 1/2 cups: 1/4 cup for the towel, 1 cup for the filling, and 1/4 cup for serving.
Is salt included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the dry ingredients.
Does the recipe use vanilla?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added to the cream cheese filling for flavor.
Is this considered a holiday dessert?
Yes, it is described as a festive treat perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Is the cream cheese swirl baked into the cake?
The cream cheese mixture is spread on the baked cake and then rolled, creating a swirl effect when sliced.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.
Do I need any special tools for the design?
If you choose to create the spiderweb design, you will need black gel food coloring.
Is this a gourmet recipe?
Yes, it is described as an exquisite and gourmet dessert option for entertaining.
How do you ensure the cream cheese is easy to mix?
Ensure the cream cheese is softened before starting the filling preparation.
Can I omit the cloves?
While you can omit them, the cloves provide a key part of the festive spice profile for this recipe.
How should the cake be prepared for rolling?
The cake should be turned out onto a towel sprinkled with powdered sugar immediately after baking to be rolled while warm.
What makes this cake visually stunning?
The contrast between the orange pumpkin cake and the white cream cheese swirl, combined with a powdered sugar dusting, makes it very attractive.