This Pumpkin Roll is the perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving table or fall party! It’s easy, impressive and delicious!
I thought you deserved a treat today folks, so it’s a double whammy of desserts this week at the BHK!
I don’t usually post two desserts in a row, but I just couldn’t help myself. After the third and final Presidential Debate, I figured we all needed a treat, right?! And obviously we need to make it “bigly”. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) I’ll stop the debate conversation there because I usually like to keep things on the lighter side and the upcoming election is anything but.
First off, if you missed the Triple Decker Delight Brownie Bars on Monday, back it up and grab the recipe guys. You need these brownie bars for your weekend! And if you’re on the ball and already planning the menu for Thanksgiving, kudos to you, I’ve got this Pumpkin Roll that is sure to turn some heads and make you look like a rockstar!
It’s not really even a double whammy of desserts this week at the BHK. It’s a triple whammy, because today I’m collaborating once again with my friend, the oh so talented Alida Ryder, creator of Simply Delicious to bring you two fabulous pumpkin desserts. Seriously, we’ve got you covered in the pumpkin department! Alida and I collaborated back in July when I shared a BLT Phyllo Pizza and Alida shared an incredibly delicious Cheat’s Deep Dish Pizza. The idea behind the collaboration is for the two of us to share something similar, but put our own spin on it. So this time we decided we would each share a pumpkin recipe. So not only am I sharing this yummy Pumpkin Roll recipe for the fall season, I’m sharing a fabulous Nutella-Swirled Pumpkin Loaf Cake from Alida . It’s a two-for-one deal!! You’ll definitely need to pop on over and check out one of her newest recipes for Poison Toffee Apples for Halloween too. They’re to die for and you’ll just love the video!
This Pumpkin Roll goes way back…way, way back. I made this for the first time for my Dad when I was in high school, because he was the biggest dessert guy ever. Let’s just say it looked nothing like any of the photos above. As usual, I was probably loaded with homework and waiting to the last minute to finish it, and instead, I decided whipping up a pumpkin roll was more important. Priorities.
I have never been high on the patience scale, so I’m pretty sure I ignored the “let the cake cool to room temp” and “carefully re-roll the cake after icing it, separating it from the parchment”. I honestly wish I had a picture of it. But as usual, my Dad, God love him, said it was one of the best desserts he ever tasted. Now, that I’m older (way older) and wiser (debatable) and a bit, I stress “a bit” more patient, I can finally whip up a pumpkin roll like it’s my job and it tastes as good as it looks!
As long as you follow the directions, this recipe is a piece of cake…. pumpkin roll! It’s also the perfect, pretty dessert for your Thanksgiving dessert table or fall party. This recipe calls for some Libby’s Pure Pumpkin which makes it nice and moist and some warm cinnamon and cloves that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing while it’s baking. It’s filled with a smooth cream cheese filling that takes minutes to make and finally sprinkled with a little extra confectioner’s sugar to make it an absolute beauty of a holiday dessert!
Enjoy friends and have a wonderful weekend!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup pure pumpkin I recommend Libby's
- Filling:
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar sifted
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Extra confectioner's sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Cake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. with a little extra of an overhand on the longer sides for easy removal after baking. Spray parchment paper generously with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cloves, cinnamon and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Beat in the pumpkin puree. Stir in the dry ingredients. Spread into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until top of cake springs back when touched. Start to check for doneness at 11 minutes.
- As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, lift the cake out of the pan by the parchment paper onto a flat surface. Carefully roll the cake from one short end to the other and move to a wire rack to completely cool.
- Filling: Beat all filling ingredients until smooth. Carefully unroll the cake onto a flat surface. Spread the cream cheese filling over the cake leaving a 1/2 inch border on all sides. Once again carefully re-roll the cake starting at a short end and carefully peeling parchment paper as you roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for one hour.
- Place on a platter and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar before serving.
- Can be stored in refrigerator for up to three days.
Adapted from Libby’s Pumpkin
Alida | Simply Delicious
Thanks so much for collaborating with me again Mary Ann. Your pumpkin roll is all kinds of wonderful and looks picture perfect!
Mary Ann
Thank you Alida! Loving your Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Bread too! So perfect for fall!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Mary Ann, you know I definitely don’t mind seeing two desserts in a row :) Bring it! I don’t have the most patience in the world, either, especially when baking something and having to wait for it to cool to remove from pan/frost/whatever. I just wanna get goin’ with it already! This roll looks absolutely perfect. Like, you must have measured those layers or something. Love it! This one has got to make its way to our table soon. Pinned, of course. Have a wonderful weekend! xo
Mary Ann
Thanks Dawn! Take it from me, it looks so much better when you’re patient!Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try! Happy weekend!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
It must be getting near the holiday season with all these desserts. That is the most important part of the meal, right? I have never made a roll cake but you make it look easy. Checking out Alida’s recipe now!
Mary Ann
It’s easier than you think Karen. There’s a little patience involved, but it’s worth the wait. Tom loved this one! Alida’s Nutella Pumpkin Loaf looks amazing!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Absolutely beautiful! I have always wanted to do a roll like this, but always thought it might end up in a huge mess. Very impressed with the perfection that is your Pumpkin Roll! (and a would love a slice :)
Mary Ann
It reaslly isn’t hard at all Jennifer! And always looks so impressive! And tastes delicious too! Happy weekend my friend!
annie@ciaochowbambina
Hahaha! Of course we need to make it ‘bigly’ – it’s dessert after all! (Oh boy!) I love this roll and your story… I’ve always been intimidated to make one – I need to get over it and start with your recipe! Love it, Mary Ann! Thank you for sharing!
Mary Ann
Ha! Never knew that was a real word! Thanks Annie! It’s not difficult at all! You’ll love it!
Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef
I am glad you posted this classic and elegant dessert. I love rolls like this and should make more of them. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Ann
Absolutely Gerlinde! They’re easier to make then people think! Enjoy! Happy weekend!
Jessica DeMay
This Pumpkin Roll looks so delicious, Mary Ann! I’ve never been brave enough to try one- I think it’s that patience thing ;) I love the story about your dad! So sweet!
Mary Ann
You have to try Jessica! It’s not hard at all! My Dad was the best! He loved anything I ever made! (Even if it was a disaster! Ha!)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Oh my gahhhhhh, after this presidential election I think we are all going to need a lifetime supply of desserts, regardless of who wins! Ha. Anyways, the pumpkin roll is like the only thing Boy likes about Thanksgiving (he’s crazy for the record). And a good friend of ours made him one every year back in FL. Now that we live in NC I’ve been looking for a fabulous pumpkin roll recipe!! So thank you for delivering!!! Boy is going to flip his lid! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Mary Ann
I agree Chey! Oh, I’m so glad Boy loves pumpkin roll! Now you have no excuse not to make him one! Have a great weekend!! XO
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
Another winner, Mary Ann! I’ve never made a roll up cake but I’m supposed to bring a dessert to Thanksgiving and I think you just solved my problem of what to bring! Have a great weekend.
Mary Ann
Yay! You’ll love it Geraldine! Have a great weekend!
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife
I love this Mary Ann!! And you make it look so easy. I have a hard time waiting for things to cool…might be my fatal baking flaw. But this is so pretty, I’m thinking I could dig deep for some patience!! xoxo
Mary Ann
You definitely could Rebecca. My husband Tom loved it! We had a hard time sharing this one.
Caroline
Oh, Mary Ann! I’m so happy to have found this gorgeous cake! I’m responsible for Thanksgiving dessert this year and have been trying to find something unique. I can’t wait to make this! I love the story about your Dad. Precious!
Mary Ann
Oh, then this one is a must Caroline! It’s so delicious and not hard at all. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my Dad. He was a wonderful father! He was always my biggest fan! Have a wonderful weekend!
Kevin | Keviniscooking
THIS is the most perfect swirl jelly roll I have ever seen. Seriously. The photo on IG just grabbed me and reminded me I hadn’t checked my fav blogs today. You are consistently serving up the goods Mary Ann. Love that story with your dad, too. Now truth be told, I’d eat that filling alone with a spoon, but don’t tell anyone…
Mary Ann
So happy my blog is on your radar Kevin! I’m a huge fan of yours too! Glad you like the pumpkin roll. It’s a lot easier than people think. I’m with you on the cream cheese filling! Happy weekend!
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix
Mary Ann, this might be the most perfect pumpkin roll I’ve ever seen. Period. Btw, high school Mary Ann’s priorities are pretty on track with my priorities at this very minute, so I completely get it. Pumpkin deliciousness definitely comes before homework or, ya know… work work ;-)
Mary Ann
Thank you so much Stephanie! I’ll always remember that first Pumpkin Roll, but funny I don’t remember what homework was due or what test I had to study for! So I guess I made the right decision! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! Have an awesome weekend!
Lucy - Globe Scoffers
This is just the perfect swiss roll, it looks and sounds delicious!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Lucy! Hope you have a terrific weekend. And thanks so much for dropping by and leaving a comment!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
What an absolutely gorgeous pumpkin roll, Mary Ann! I’m ready to skip dinner and go straight to dessert :).
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Laura! Sounds like a good plan to me!
Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com
If this tastes as good as it looks (and I’m betting it does) than count me way, way in. Your photos are phenomenal and I love this pumpkin dessert, especially paired with cream cheese icing!
Mary Ann
Thanks Cathy! It’s no masterpiece like some of your gorgeous cakes, but it’s so delicious!