I’ve got one simple trick that makes this classicPumpkin Roll recipe EASY and mess-free! It has the best soft texture and flavor with a delicious cream cheese filling.
I truly love all of my pumpkin recipes, but there are only a few that I regularly bake every single year and they include this pumpkin roll, Pumpkin Cupcake, and my mom’s amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Pumpkin roll
Do you know why pumpkin rolls are intimidating? Because our moms’ method of making them made a HUGE and SCARY mess that rarely resulted in a nice and pretty pumpkin roll. I’m excited to share the simplest trick and tastiest recipe for making a beautiful and mess free pumpkin roll!
Most recipes have you invert the baked cake onto a large towel that has been dusted with powdered sugar. Then you’re supposed to roll the cake up in the towel. Honestly, this method has always been a dusty, powdered-sugary MESS for me. Not to mention that you end up with a sticky mess of a rag when it’s done.
Guys, there is such a BETTER and EASIER way! Parchment paper is the trick!
For a MESS-FREE pumpkin roll:
Use Parchment paper! The biggest tip to making an easy, mess-free pumpkin roll is to roll the pumpkin cake up inside the parchment paper that it was baked on. Allow it to cool, rolled up. Then unroll it and spread with cream cheese frosting.
How to make a homemade pumpkin roll:
- First, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the long edges, so that it’s easier to lift the cake from the pan when it’s done baking.
- Next, spread the cake batter on top of the parchment paper in the pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake it for about 15 minutes.
- When the cake is finished baking, carefully lift the cake from the pan and roll the hot cake up inside theparchmentpaper. This method is SOO much easier than turning it out onto a towel and praying that it doesn’t crack, or stick to the towel.
- Allow the cake to cool completely, rolled up in the parchment paper, on top of a wire cooling rack. Once it’s cool unroll the pumpkin roll and discard the parchment paper. Spread the cream cheese filling all over the top of the pumpkin roll and roll it back up into a log (without the parchment paper).
- You’ll be left with a beautiful, simple, pumpkin roll and hardly any mess to clean up. #winning
Does a pumpkin roll need to be refrigerated?
Yes, store it in the refrigerator. Once you have spread the cream cheese filling and rolled the pumpkin roll back into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving!
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.
To make ahead:
Pumpkin roll can be prepared completely and refrigerated for 1-2 days ahead of time, before serving. OR, you can bake the cake, roll it in the parchment paper to cool. Once cool, refrigerate it (rolled in the parchment paper) for up to one day, before frosting. Once you have fully assembled your pumpkin roll, you can also store it in the refrigerator for a few days!
Can I freeze a pumpkin roll?
Yes, you can freeze a prepared pumpkin roll for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
Consider trying these pumpkin recipes:
- Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Pumpkin Cinnamon rolls
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Recipe
4.98 from 3271 votes
Pumpkin Roll
This classic pumpkin roll recipe is made with a delicious pumpkin cake, rolled up with a fluffy cream cheese filling. Always a crowd favorite, and easier than ever to make!
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Author Lauren Allen
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 260
Prep 10 minutes mins
Cook 15 minutes mins
Total 25 minutes mins
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup canned pumpkin (or homemade pumpkin puree)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 2 Tablespoons butter , softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar , plus more for dusting
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan (15 x 10'') with parchment paper, leavingan extra inch of parchment sticking up on both long sides of the pan so that you can easily lift the cake out after baking. (You can VERY lightly grease the parchment paper, if you want to, but you don't need to!)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. In a separate bowl mix the eggs, sugar, vanilla and pumpkin until smooth.
Add dry ingredients to the bowl and stir just until combined and no dry streaks remain.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Every oven is different, so watch it closely.
Immediately lift the payment paper and hot cake out of the pan and onto a flat (heat-safe) surface.
While the cake is hot, starting at one of the short ends, use your hands to gently and slowly roll the cake (and parchment paper!) all the way up. Allow it to cool completely, on top of a wire cooling rack. (This allows it to cool underneath the roll, and keeps the cake from sweating).
While the cake roll is cooling, mix the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until it is fluffy and smooth.
Once the cake roll is cooled completely, unroll it very carefully. Gently smooth the filling in an even layer over the cake.
Roll up the cake without the parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, before serving.
Dust the top with powdered sugar, if desired. You could use a duster, spoon, or even your fingers to lightly sprinkle it on top of the roll. Cut into slices and serve.
Store in the fridge, covered, for up to three days.
For more pumpkin treats, click here!
Notes
Make ahead:
Pumpkin roll can be prepared completely and refrigerated for 1-2 days ahead of time, before serving. OR, you can bake the cake, roll it in the parchment paper to cool. Once cool, refrigerate it (rolled in the parchment paper) for up to one day, before frosting. Once you have fully assembled your pumpkin roll, you can also store it in the refrigerator for a few days!
Freeze:
Prepared pumpkin roll can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 119mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 3745IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1.3mg
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.
I originally shared this recipe October 2014. Updated September 2017 and October 2019.
This post contains affiliate links.
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Original Post
Updated
Categories
- Cakes/Cupcakes
- Dessert
- Freezer Friendly
- Holiday
- Pumpkin
- Thanksgiving
About The Author
Lauren Allen
Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.
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