Simple Pumpkin Roll Recipe for Fall Gatherings (Print Version)

Craft a simple Pumpkin Roll Recipe with a creamy filling. This easy homemade dessert is a delightful treat for any fall gathering or holiday spread.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 10-12 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ For the Pumpkin Cake

01 - 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - 2 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1 tsp ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
07 - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 3 large eggs
10 - 2/3 cup (160g) pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pie filling)

→ For the Cream Cheese Filling

11 - 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat is best)
12 - 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
14 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Dusting & Finishing

15 - Extra powdered sugar, for dusting towel and finished roll

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your parchment paper ready. Line a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan, letting it hang over the sides a bit – this makes lifting easier, trust me. Then, grab a clean kitchen towel (not terrycloth, something smooth!) and dust it generously with powdered sugar. This step is crucial for preventing sticking, a mistake I learned the hard way! Set that aside, it’s going to hug your warm cake.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt. I like to sift my dry ingredients, but honestly, a good whisk works just as well to break up any lumps. This ensures all those lovely spices are evenly distributed, so every bite of your Easy Homemade Pumpkin Roll Recipe is perfectly flavored.
03 - In a separate large bowl, beat your eggs until they're light and fluffy, then gradually add the pumpkin puree. Mix until just combined. Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Don't overmix! Just combine until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops gluten, and we want a tender, flexible cake for rolling, not a rubbery one, right?
04 - Pour your batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Spread it all the way to the edges. Pop it into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 13-15 minutes. You're looking for the cake to spring back when lightly touched. Keep an eye on it; ovens vary, and a slightly overbaked cake is much harder to roll without cracking. The smell at this stage? Divine!
05 - This is the moment of truth! As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, immediately invert it onto your prepared, powdered-sugar-dusted kitchen towel. Gently peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one short end, carefully roll the warm cake and the towel together. Let it cool completely in this rolled position, seam-side down. This trains the cake to hold its shape, making your Easy Homemade Pumpkin Roll Recipe a success.
06 - While your cake cools, beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until it’s all incorporated and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. This filling should be light and spreadable, a dreamy contrast to the spiced pumpkin cake. If it feels too stiff, a tiny splash of milk can help, but be careful not to make it too runny!
07 - Once the cake is completely cool, gently unroll it. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the entire surface, leaving a small border at the edges. Starting from the same short end you began with, carefully re-roll the cake (without the towel this time!). Wrap the finished roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, or even better, overnight. This chilling time helps the Easy Homemade Pumpkin Roll Recipe set perfectly.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the cake batter; it can make the cake tough and prone to cracking.
02 - Store the pumpkin roll tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator; the flavors deepen overnight.
03 - If you're out of cream cheese, mascarpone can be a rich substitute, but expect a slightly less tangy filling.
04 - A light dusting of cinnamon sugar along with powdered sugar makes for a beautiful presentation.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 15x10-inch jelly roll pan
02 - parchment paper
03 - clean kitchen towel (smooth
04 - not terrycloth)
05 - stand mixer or hand mixer
06 - mixing bowls
07 - whisk
08 - spatula

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 320 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 38g
Protein: 4g

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