This pumpkin roll recipe is a classic at Thanksgiving with a cream cheese filling and pumpkin sponge cake. It’s an impressive homemade dessert yet so easy to make!
This classic pumpkin recipe has a light crumb like my pumpkin spice cupcakes and is filled with a velvety cream cheese frosting!
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Easy Pumpkin Roll Recipe
A pumpkin roll is one of my favorite pumpkin recipes to make for Thanksgiving (or anytime during the fall). Sometimes I’ll even make this instead of a classic pumpkin pie or along with this pumpkin pie bar recipe.
It also can be made weeks in advance then stored in the freezer, giving you one less thing to worry about at the holiday. The layers in this old fashioned dessert are so pretty! The cream cheese filling adds the perfect amount of sweetness and pairs perfectly with pumpkin just like in my pumpkin cream cheese muffins.
Classic Pumpkin Roll Ingredients
This fluffy pumpkin cake and sweet cream cheese filling comes together with a few ingredients, but requires a little extra effort. Pumpkin rolls are a staple during fall!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Eggs: Whipping the eggs first gives the cake a light and airy texture.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory pumpkin.
- Pumpkin puree: I like to use Libby’s in a pinch, but I prefer to make my own pumpkin puree if I have time to spare.
- Spices: To get the perfect fall flavor, I like to use a mix of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives the pumpkin roll cake its gluten and helps it hold its structure when rolling.
- Baking soda: This leavening agent keeps the cake from being too dense.
- Filling: The creamy and decadent filling is made from beating together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
How to Make a Pumpkin Roll
This pumpkin roll recipe does take a little bit of work and time, but it is more simple than you think!
- Mix cake batter. Beat eggs in a large bowl and then mix in sugar, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. Add dry ingredients to the bowl and mix just until combined.
- Bake. Pour batter into a greased 10×15-inch parchment paper lined jelly roll pan. Tap the bottom of the pan on the counter until the batter spreads evenly. Then bake in oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes clean.
- Roll. Place a cotton tea towel on the counter and evenly sprinkle with about 3 Tablespoons of powdered sugar. Once the cake is done cooking, flip it onto the towel while it’s still warm (remove the parchment paper). Then gently roll up the cake inside the towel, starting at the narrow end. Place in the refrigerator with the seam down and let cool completely.
- Fill. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl until smooth. Once the cake is cool, unroll it and then spread with the cream cheese filling. I like to spread the filling on thick (leaving about 1/2″ from the edge). Don’t worry if it comes out a little, you can always wipe off the edges. Then roll up again without the towel and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to slice.
- Slice. Before slicing the pumpkin roll, place in the freezer for 15 minutes. This allows for easy, clean cuts. Dust the top with powdered sugar, then slice using a sharp knife.
Pumpkin Roll Tips
- Tea towel vs. parchment paper. I prefer to use a cotton tea towel when rolling this cake and my yule log. It’s important to use this specific type of kitchen towel so that the cake doesn’t stick to it. Some think it’s easier to use parchment paper instead because you don’t have to transfer the cake onto the towel since it already bakes on the paper. You can absolutely use parchment paper, I’ve just had better results with a tea towel (the cake seems less sticky). One thing to note if using parchment paper – make sure to leave about 1-2 inches sticking out on the sides. This makes it easier to lift the cake from the jelly roll pan and then roll the cake.
- Length of cooling. I first let the rolled cake portion cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour. Then once the cream cheese filling is added, I let it refrigerate again for at least 30 minutes, but usually longer so that it has time to form. Before serving, I’ll stick the pumpkin roll in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This makes it easier to slice and the cuts will come out cleaner.
- Storage and freezing. This is the perfect pumpkin roll dessert to make in advance. Simply prepare as instructed, then let cool completely. Wrap tightly in saran wrap, then place in the fridge or freezer (if freezing, I’ll place the wrapped roll in a freezer bag so it stays extra fresh). It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thawing from frozen. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Don’t try to warm it up in the oven or microwave to thaw faster or it will dry out!
Other pumpkin recipes perfect for the season include soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting and this mini pumpkin pie recipe!
More Pumpkin Recipes
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Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese , softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , softened
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar , plus more for rolling and topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray the top with nonstick spray.
- Make cake batter. In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 3 eggs until frothy. Mix in 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Bake. Add 3/4 cup flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda and mix just until combined. Pour into the pan and tap until the mixture spreads evenly. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prep counter for rolling. While the cake is baking, place a cotton tea towel on the counter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (about 3 Tablespoons).
- Roll cake and chill. Once the cake is done cooking, carefully flip onto the towel while it's still warm and remove the parchment paper. Gently roll up the cake inside the towel, starting at the narrow end. Chill in the refrigerator with the seam down until cooled completely.
- Make cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat 8 ounce cream cheese, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Spread cake with filling. Once the cake is cool, unroll the cake and spread with the cream cheese filling. Roll up again without the towel and wrap with plastic wrap.
- Freeze and then slice. Freeze 15 minutes before slicing for clean cuts, using a sharp knife only. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar just before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Rolling the cake while it’s still warm will prevent the cake from getting cracks on top. The heat and moisture make it more pliable and will help eliminate any cracking. It’s much more likely to crack after the cake has cooled. Then once it’s cooled, you can unroll it and spread on the cream cheese filling.
Don’t worry! You can always make your own pumpkin pie spice with just cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
Why not? I might start with chopped pecans or walnuts for an added crunch to the cream cheese frosting filling.
It is best to use a smaller cookie sheet. This will help the edges raise to the top of the pan, filling the pan evenly and flat. Jelly roll pans are usually 10 inches by 15 inches.
Categorized as: American, Cake + Cupcakes, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Thanksgiving
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Never had luck with any type of pumpkin/jelly roll as it always cracked. Your instructions were right on and this recipe is definitely a Keeper! Thanks.
Glad this gave sufficient instructions to avoid the cracks. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mary Kay.
I, too, have been scared to make this cake, but at an advanced age of 68 and since I’ve been baking since age of 12, I’m going to give it a shot! I also have all the ingredients on hand. Husband and I both love this dessert. Our DIL makes a lot of these every year and gives them out to her family and friends, all the time! We have never received even one despite us giving her many complements over and over! I even had to “teach” her how to make mashed potatoes so our son would even eat them! So I will be rolling up my shirt sleeves and with help from my husband, will try to make! I should send her a finished project photo on the internet but only if it looks wonderful! ! ! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and thanks, Sunnie, for posting
Good luck Mertie! You got this! :)
I was looking and extra recipe on last minute and this looks so good. And sounds easy and delicious! I think I have which one i’ll make. :)
There are a rare few who don’t like pie. This would be a good alternative to the traditional. I would love to hear if you try it, Greta!
Easy and delicious! I will make this again.
Glad your pumpkin roll was a success, Wendy. Thanks for sharing!
This was beautiful and surprisingly easy to make. I am making it again for Thanksgiving!
Made this for a baby shower the other day and it was a huge hit! Everyone asked where I got the recipe from. Loved how easy it was to make.
So happy to hear it was a hit at the party!
I could not wait for fall, so I could make this. The second it got a little cool here, I made it! It turned out so good and was so easy to follow too, thank you!
Yay! Glad to hear the recipe was a success, Jessica! It’s one of our fall favorites too :)
This recipe is so yummy! I was nervous to make it but turned out great!
Yay, glad it was a hit! Thanks for your comment and review, Kenadi :)
Love this recipe! It is the most requested dessert for Thanksgiving.
When I am taking the cake from the pan, I sprinkle powdered sugar on the roll, then lay the cotton towel on top, followed by a cooling rack. I can flip all over at one time then roll it up in the towel. I find this easier than flipping the roll onto to towel.
Great tip, thanks for sharing Deb! I’m so happy to hear it’s always a hit at Thanksgiving :)
This was so easy to make and tasted fantastic. I had a little cream cheese filling leftover so through that into the freezer. Used it this morning on my homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls. Omg, this raised them to a whole new level!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them and could use the extra filling on your cinnamon rolls. Sounds delicious!
This is a great recipe, and perfect for Thanksgiving dessert. I shared the prepared pumpkin roll with friends and have been deluged with requests for this wonderful recipe. It is well worth the trouble, which I think is minimal, as you end up with a special ending to your meal.
This is so amazing!! Everyone at my house really loved it!