Get Cozy with a Classic Pumpkin Roll, the Perfect Autumn Dessert!

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As the leaves turn and the air cools, there’s nothing more comforting than the warm, spicy sweetness of pumpkin desserts. A Pumpkin Roll, with its fluffy, spiced cake and rich cream cheese filling, embodies the flavors of fall in every bite. This classic dessert not only looks beautiful but also offers a delightful blend of pumpkin and cream cheese that melts in your mouth.

Pumpkin Rolls are the perfect treat to serve during family gatherings, fall festivals, or even a cozy night at home. The moist pumpkin cake, rolled up with a smooth cream cheese filling, is simple to make and always impresses. The presentation, with its neat spirals of cake and filling, is a showstopper for any occasion, while the taste leaves everyone asking for seconds.

The Flavors of Fall in Every Bite Pumpkin is the star ingredient of this dish, giving the cake a light, airy texture and a deep, earthy sweetness. Cinnamon adds a gentle spice, enhancing the pumpkin's natural flavor, while the rich cream cheese filling brings a smooth, tangy contrast. With just a touch of vanilla and butter, the filling becomes a luxurious layer that pairs perfectly with the spongy cake.

Recipe: Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Cake:

• 1 cup white sugar
• ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, blend together the sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and ground cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, blending until smooth.
4. Evenly spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
5. Lay out a clean cotton tea towel (avoid terry cloth) and invert the warm cake onto the towel. Starting with a short edge, roll up the cake in the towel jelly-roll style. Let the rolled cake cool for about 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
7. Once the cake has cooled completely, carefully unroll it and remove the towel. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly across the surface of the cake, making sure to cover all the edges.
8. Roll the cake back up, this time without the towel. Wrap the rolled cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
9. Before serving, dust the pumpkin roll with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish. Slice into 10 portions and enjoy!

Bringing it All Together

This Pumpkin Roll is not only a delightful dessert but also a representation of everything we love about fall—warm spices, rich flavors, and the joy of gathering with friends and family. The combination of the light, fluffy cake and the creamy filling creates the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a hit at any event or casual get-together.

With every bite, you’ll savor the comforting flavors of autumn, making this Pumpkin Roll a staple dessert for the season. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is simple enough to master and impressive enough to wow any crowd. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the best of fall!

The Pumpkin Roll is a classic fall dessert, blending a light and moist pumpkin-flavored cake with a rich cream cheese filling. This dessert is both beautiful and delicious, making it a perfect choice for Thanksgiving gatherings or cozy autumn evenings.

The cake itself is flavored with pumpkin puree and spices like cinnamon, creating a light and airy sponge that complements the creamy filling. After baking the thin cake in a jelly roll pan, the key is to roll it while it's still warm, preventing cracks. Once cooled, it's unrolled and spread with a smooth mixture of cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla, which adds a tangy richness that contrasts perfectly with the spiced cake.

One of the best tips for a successful pumpkin roll is to be mindful of the timing and rolling technique. Rolling the cake while it’s warm helps prevent cracking, and chilling the roll before slicing ensures clean cuts and makes it easier to serve.

If you'd like to try making this dish, here's a simplified version of the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin Cake:
• • 1 cup white sugar
  • ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Cream Cheese Filling:
• • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
2. Mix the sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda, then mix both together until smooth.
3. Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 15-25 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched.
4. Turn the cake onto a tea towel and roll it up to cool.
5. For the filling, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Unroll the cake, spread the filling evenly, and roll it back up.
6. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate before serving, dusted with powdered sugar.

This dessert can be made in advance and even frozen for up to three months, making it an easy option for holiday preparation​(Allrecipes)​(Taste of Home)​(The Recipe Critic).

For a visual guide, here's a similar recipe from Tastes Better From Scratch.