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Perfect Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll

This Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll features a soft, warmly spiced pumpkin cake rolled around a smooth, rich cream cheese filling. It's a beautiful make-ahead dessert that's perfect for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, and holiday celebrations.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling/Chilling Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10 Slice
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Cake
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
Cream Cheese Filling
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
For Finishing
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Line a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar for 3–4 minutes, until pale and slightly thickened.
  5. Add the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree and mix until smooth.
  6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the center springs back lightly when touched.
  9. While the cake bakes, place a clean kitchen towel on the counter and generously dust it with powdered sugar.
  10. Immediately turn the hot cake onto the prepared towel and carefully peel away the parchment paper.
  11. Starting from one short end, gently roll the cake and towel together into a spiral.
  12. Place the rolled cake on a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.
  13. For the filling, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  14. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
  15. Carefully unroll the cooled pumpkin cake.
  16. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cake, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges.
  17. Carefully roll the cake back up without the towel, starting from the same short end.
  18. Wrap the pumpkin roll tightly in plastic wrap.
  19. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.
  20. Dust with powdered sugar, slice with a sharp knife, and serve.

Notes

Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
Don't overbake the cake or it may become dry and crack.
Roll the cake while it's still warm to help prevent cracking.
Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened, not melted.
Don't spread the filling all the way to the edges.
Chill the finished roll before slicing for cleaner, more attractive spirals.
Small cracks are normal and can easily be covered with powdered sugar.