Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling Recipe for Cozy Treats

Baking a delightful carrot cake roll with cream cheese frosting challenges even seasoned home cooks.

Layers of spiced, moist cake demand careful technique and patient rolling.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg whisper autumn memories through each tender slice.

Delicate cake sheets require gentle handling and precise temperature control.

Cream cheese frosting adds luxurious smoothness between soft, flexible cake layers.

Sweet roots transform into an elegant dessert that surprises and delights.

Mastering this recipe promises a showstopping treat that will impress everyone at your gathering.

Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting That’s Worth a Slice

• Carrot Cake Roll Delights
• Bake this stunning dessert with simple ingredients and basic baking skills, making it perfect for home cooks at any experience level.
• Prepare the entire cake roll in under an hour, including baking and cooling time, which makes it ideal for last-minute gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings.
• Impress family and friends with a visually stunning rolled cake that combines classic carrot cake flavors with creamy cream cheese frosting, suitable for birthdays, holidays, or casual weekend treats.
• Refrigerate the cake roll for several hours before serving, allowing busy home bakers to prepare dessert in advance without sacrificing taste or presentation.

Everything You’ll Need for Carrot Cake Roll

• Cake Flour: The foundation for a light, tender cake texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.

• Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon: Warm spices that give classic carrot cake flavor and aroma.

• Eggs, Sugar: Provide structure and sweetness to the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base for the frosting, provides tangy richness.
• Butter: Adds smoothness and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.

• Grated Carrots: Adds moisture, texture, and signature carrot cake flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Used for dusting the towel and potential cake decoration.

How to Roll and Fill Carrot Cake Without Cracking

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 4: Create Cake Batter

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in grated carrots until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Bake The Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Prepare Cake For Rolling

Remove cake from oven and immediately turn onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully remove parchment paper.

Step 7: Initial Roll

Starting from a short end, gently roll the cake together with the towel. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 8: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter

Mix until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Step 9: Assemble The Cake Roll

Unroll the cooled cake carefully. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly, leaving a small border. Re-roll the cake from the same short end.

Step 10: Chill And Serve

Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Tips for Making a Smooth Frosting and Clean Roll

• Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the warm cake with a towel immediately after baking to help prevent cracking and create a flexible texture that makes rolling easier.
• Grate Carrots Finely: Use the smallest holes on a box grater to ensure carrots are fine and evenly distributed throughout the cake batter, preventing large carrot chunks.
• Control Frosting Thickness: Spread cream cheese frosting thinly to avoid bulging or breaking the delicate cake roll when re-rolling, ensuring a smooth and elegant finish.
• Chill for Perfect Slicing: Refrigerate the cake roll for at least an hour before serving to help the frosting set and make clean, neat slices possible.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon to personal taste preferences, making the carrot cake roll uniquely your own flavor profile.

Storing and Serving Carrot Cake Roll Neatly

• Store the carrot cake roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the cake roll securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Remove from the freezer and let the cake roll defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Unwrap before serving to prevent condensation.
• For the best texture and flavor, serve the cake roll directly from the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before slicing to soften slightly.

Pairings for This Classic Carrot Cake Roll

• Boost the cake's warm spices with a robust chai tea, highlighting its cinnamon and ginger notes while complementing the dessert's richness.
• Match the roll with a late-harvest Riesling, its honeyed sweetness balancing the cream cheese's tanginess and echoing the cake's subtle sweetness.
• Serve alongside a scoop of ginger gelato, creating a cool, creamy counterpoint to the cake's soft texture and enhancing its warming spice profile.
• Enjoy a smooth cappuccino, its espresso depth cutting through the cream cheese's richness while the milk foam mirrors the cake's soft, velvety mouthfeel.

Recipe Variations Using the Same Carrot Cake Base

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Roll: Replace cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use almond flour or a mix of rice and coconut flour for added texture and flavor.
• Vegan Carrot Cake Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create a dairy-free cream cheese frosting using cashew-based cream cheese and plant-based butter alternatives.
• Low-Sugar Carrot Cake Variation: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce overall sweetness, and use Greek yogurt in the frosting to maintain creaminess while cutting down on added sugars.
• Nut-Infused Carrot Cake Roll: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake batter, incorporate almond extract in the frosting, and sprinkle toasted nuts on top for extra crunch and nutty flavor.

Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Frosting Filling Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky carrot cake roll dances with creamy cream cheese frosting, promising a delightful dessert adventure. Spiced layers spiral elegantly, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite of this classic sweet treat.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup (130 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (95 g) cake flour
• 2 cups (200 g) finely grated carrots, drained if too wet
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground nutmeg (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Assemble the dry ingredients by whisking cake flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a medium mixing vessel.
2. Whip eggs and sugar in a separate large bowl until they transform into a pale, airy mixture. Incorporate vegetable oil and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
3. Merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
4. Tenderly fold grated carrots throughout the batter, ensuring uniform distribution.
5. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 1015-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and light grease.
6. Pour the carrot-infused batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface for even baking.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean from the center.
8. Immediately transfer the hot cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar, carefully removing the parchment paper.
9. Gently roll the cake and towel together from a short end, allowing complete cooling on a wire rack.
10. Craft the cream cheese frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter until silky and uniform.
11. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, mixing until achieving a smooth consistency.
12. Enhance the frosting with vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly.
13. Delicately unroll the cooled cake and spread frosting evenly, maintaining a small border.
14. Re-roll the cake from the original short end, excluding the towel.
15. Position the rolled cake seam-side down on a serving platter.
16. Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour before slicing and presenting.

Notes

• Choose cake flour for a lighter, more delicate texture that ensures a soft and tender cake roll.
• Use fresh, finely grated carrots to maintain moisture and prevent excess liquid in the batter.
• Dust the kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar to prevent sticking when rolling the warm cake.
• Roll the cake while it’s still warm to prevent cracking and help it maintain a smooth, flexible shape.
• Chill the cake roll before serving to help the cream cheese frosting set and make slicing easier.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.
• Reduce sugar content by using a sugar substitute or cutting the amount by 25% without compromising the cake’s structure.
• Store the cake roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 275
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg