Dreamy Elegant Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe for Sweet Success

Decadent chocolate swirls meet silky cream cheese in this red velvet cake roll that promises pure indulgence.

Bakers searching for a show-stopping red velvet cake roll will find this recipe irresistibly smooth and delightful.

Rich cocoa notes blend seamlessly with tangy cream cheese filling, creating a dessert that whispers sophistication.

Every slice reveals a beautiful spiral of deep crimson cake wrapped around a creamy center.

The delicate texture and vibrant color make this roll a stunning centerpiece for any gathering.

Subtle hints of vanilla and cocoa dance together, transforming a simple cake into an extraordinary treat.

This recipe invites you to master a dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.

Baking Tools to Nail That Roll Texture

• Electric Mixer: Powerful tool for beating eggs and mixing ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients with ease.
• 10×15-inch Jelly Roll Pan: Perfect size for creating thin, even cake layer.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for preventing cake from sticking and ensuring easy removal.
• Kitchen Towel: Needed for rolling cake without breaking.
• Wire Rack: Helps cake cool evenly and prevents moisture buildup.
• Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are lump-free and well combined.
• Spatula: Great for gently folding ingredients and spreading filling.
• Knife: Useful for loosening cake edges and cutting final roll.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps set and store cake roll in refrigerator.

How to Roll and Fill With No Cracks

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab a jelly roll pan and give it a generous coating of grease. Line it with parchment paper and grease that too, creating a non-stick paradise for your cake.

• Whip Up the Base

Grab a mixing bowl and sift together your dry ingredients until they’re silky smooth. In another bowl, beat eggs until they transform into a fluffy, pale cloud. Gradually shower in sugar while continuing to whip.

• Create the Batter Magic

Pour in the liquid heroes – oil, buttermilk, vinegar, and that vibrant red food coloring. Mix gently until everything dances together harmoniously. Fold in your dry ingredient mixture with a light touch, keeping the batter airy and soft.

• Bake and Shape

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it like a smooth canvas. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cake springs back with a gentle touch. Meanwhile, dust a kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

• Roll and Cool

The moment the cake comes out, flip it onto the sugared towel. Carefully peel away the parchment. Roll the cake and towel together into a elegant spiral. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.

• Craft the Filling

Whip cream cheese and butter until they’re silky smooth. Gradually blend in powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a dreamy filling that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Assemble and Chill

Unroll the cooled cake with care. Spread the cream cheese filling, leaving a small border. Roll it back up without the towel. Wrap in plastic and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to set the magic.

• Serve and Enjoy

Dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar. Slice into beautiful rounds and savor every delightful bite of your red velvet masterpiece.

Flavor Options and Fillings That Pop

• Expert Cake Roll Tips & Variations
• Moisture Magic: Prevent dry cake by carefully monitoring baking time and not overbaking. Remove cake from oven when it springs back lightly to touch, ensuring a soft, tender texture.
• Color Control: For deeper red color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. Gel concentrates provide richer, more vibrant red without altering cake batter consistency.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake's structural integrity and prevent crumbling.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Substitute cream cheese filling with vegan cream cheese alternatives or whipped coconut cream for lactose-intolerant guests. Use plant-based milk in cake batter for complete dairy-free experience.
• Flavor Exploration: Experiment with different extract variations like almond, orange, or peppermint to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining classic red velvet essence.

Serving Suggestions That Feel Like a Holiday

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Create a stunning dessert presentation by arranging cake roll slices on a beautiful white platter, garnished with fresh raspberries and mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
• Decadent Dessert Companion: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the rich red velvet flavor and add a creamy contrast.
• Romantic Date Night Treat: Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate, making it a perfect after-dinner indulgence for couples looking to share a special moment together.
• Holiday Dessert Centerpiece: Dress up the cake roll with festive decorations like chocolate shavings, edible glitter, or seasonal sprinkles to make it a show-stopping dessert for holiday gatherings.

Storage Tips to Keep It Red and Rich

• Fridge Freshness Tactics: Store the cake roll tightly wrapped in plastic film to prevent drying. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days, maintaining its soft texture and delicious cream cheese filling.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap the entire cake roll securely in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve quality.
• Slice and Serve Hack: Cut cake roll portions right before serving to keep edges moist. Use a sharp, clean knife wiped with warm water between slices for neat, clean cuts that showcase the beautiful spiral design.
• Temperature Control Tip: Always serve slightly chilled for best flavor and texture. Remove from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow slight warming, which enhances cream cheese filling's creamy consistency and cake's soft texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 263 kcal

Servings: 8

Red Velvet Cake Roll Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep red velvet color, opt for unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa for intense taste.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Creates structure and helps bind ingredients, select fresh room-temperature eggs for better incorporation.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake texture, use pure cane sugar for best results.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and soft, choose neutral-flavored oil like canola or sunflower.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize cake, can substitute with milk and vinegar mixture.
• White Vinegar: Activates baking powder and adds subtle tang, use distilled white vinegar.
• Red Food Coloring: Provides signature red velvet color, use gel food coloring for more vibrant shade.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to flavor, use pure vanilla for best taste.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy filling, use full-fat cream cheese at room temperature.
• Butter: Adds richness to filling, select unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens filling, sift to prevent lumps.

Elegant Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Red velvet cake roll offers a delightful twist on classic dessert traditions. Cream cheese frosting and velvety cake create a luxurious Swiss roll perfect for special occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• ¾ cups (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp red food coloring
• 2 tbsps (30ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps (30ml) buttermilk
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz (226g) cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 ¾ cups (210g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grease a jelly roll pan, line with parchment paper, and re-grease to ensure easy cake release.
2. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl, setting aside for later incorporation.
3. Egg Mixture: Whip eggs on high speed for 5 minutes until thick and pale. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until fully integrated.
4. Liquid Incorporation: Reduce mixer speed, blend in vegetable oil, buttermilk, vinegar, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Batter Fusion: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, ensuring no flour streaks remain without overmixing.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes until center springs back when lightly pressed.
7. Towel Rolling: Dust a kitchen towel with powdered sugar. Immediately after baking, loosen cake edges, invert onto towel, and remove parchment paper. Roll cake tightly from short end, including towel.
8. Filling Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and spreadable.
9. Cake Assembly: Once cooled, unroll cake carefully, spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a small border. Re-roll into a compact spiral without the towel.
10. Finishing Touch: Wrap cake roll in plastic wrap, refrigerate for at least one hour. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and slice into elegant portions.

Notes

• Achieve Airy Texture: Whip eggs thoroughly for 5 minutes to create a light, fluffy base that ensures the cake roll’s delicate consistency.
• Prevent Cracking: Roll the warm cake immediately with the towel to help the cake maintain flexibility and prevent unwanted cracks during cooling.
• Color Correction: Adjust red food coloring amount for vibrant color without affecting the cake’s moisture or taste; start with less and add gradually.
• Filling Distribution: Spread cream cheese filling evenly but leave a small border to prevent overflow when re-rolling, ensuring a neat and professional-looking cake roll.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 80mg