Pumpkin Roll Cake 🎃🍰🎯 Light, Spiced, and Filled With Luscious Cream Cheese Swirl
This classic pumpkin roll cake features a tender pumpkin sponge wrapped around a tangy cream cheese filling. It’s beautiful to slice, impressive on the table, and surprisingly easy to make with the right technique.
Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
For the cake
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of cloves (optional)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For assembly
- Powdered sugar (for dusting towel and finished cake)
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan, line with parchment paper, and lightly grease again.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Step 3: Beat eggs and sugar
In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Mix in pumpkin purée and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Combine and bake
Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched.
Step 5: Roll the cake
While the cake is baking, lay out a clean kitchen towel and dust generously with powdered sugar. When the cake is done, immediately invert it onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll up the cake with the towel from the short side. Let cool completely, rolled up.
Step 6: Make the filling
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Assemble
Carefully unroll cooled cake. Spread filling evenly over the surface, leaving a small border. Roll the cake back up (without the towel), wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
Step 8: Serve
Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Flavor Variations
- Add orange zest to the filling for brightness
- Stir mini chocolate chips into the filling for extra indulgence
- Use maple extract in the filling for a maple-pumpkin twist
- Add a dusting of cinnamon on top for garnish
Pro Tips
- Roll the cake while warm to prevent cracking later
- Don’t skip the powdered sugar on the towel — it prevents sticking
- Chill before slicing for clean, even rounds
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Roll Cake is a fall dessert showstopper — light, spiced sponge wrapped around rich cream cheese filling. It’s elegant, make-ahead friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Bake it. Roll it. Slice into autumn magic. 🎃🍰🎯
🎃 All-Purpose Pumpkin Recipes 🎃
Fall in love with pumpkin all over again! From cozy pies and muffins to cheesecakes, cookies, and savory twists, this collection covers every craving. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just want a taste of autumn, you’ll find the perfect recipe here.
Explore All Pumpkin Recipes → – Savory and sweet ways to enjoy pumpkin in every meal.
- 🥄 Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix – Homemade spice blend for all your pumpkin treats.
- 🌰 Pumpkin Seeds Recipe – Crunchy, roasted snack with endless seasoning options.
- 🥥 Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk – Creamy, lightly sweetened fall soup.
- 🥞 Pumpkin Pancakes – Fluffy and warmly spiced breakfast favorite.
- 🍝 Pumpkin Pasta Sauce – Savory-sweet sauce perfect for fall pasta dishes.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Muffins – Soft, moist muffins for a cozy snack.
- 🌶️ Pumpkin Chili – Hearty, savory chili with a pumpkin twist.
- 🥙 Pumpkin Hummus – Creamy dip with seasonal flavor.
- 🍞 Pumpkin Bread – Classic, moist pumpkin loaf.
🥧 Classic Pumpkin Pies
See All Classic Pumpkin Pies → – Timeless pies for Thanksgiving and beyond.
- 🥧 Traditional Pumpkin Pie – The holiday classic.
- 🥛 Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie – All the flavor, no dairy.
- 🍁 Maple Pumpkin Pie – Sweetened with pure maple syrup.
- 🥟 Mini Pumpkin Pies – Perfect for parties and portion control.
- 🌾 Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie – Delicious and celiac-friendly.
- 🍫 Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie – Rich chocolate meets creamy pumpkin.
- ❄️ No-Bake Pumpkin Pie – Easy, oven-free dessert.
🍨 Creative Pumpkin Pies
See All Creative Pumpkin Pies → – Unique flavor twists on the classic.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie – Creamy cheesecake meets pumpkin pie.
- 🔥 Brûléed Pumpkin Pie – Caramelized sugar topping for extra flair.
- 🍫 Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Pie – Decadent and rich.
- 🥥 Coconut Pumpkin Pie – Tropical, creamy twist.
- 🍮 No-Bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie – Light, fluffy, and no oven needed.
- 🌰 Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie – Sweet and crunchy topping.
- 🍦 Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie – Cold, creamy holiday treat.
- 🥜 Peanut Butter Pumpkin Pie – Nutty, sweet fusion.
🍮 Pumpkin Puddings & Custards
See All Pudding & Custard Recipes → – Creamy, smooth pumpkin desserts.
- 🍮 Pumpkin Pudding – Simple and silky.
- 🍞 Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Cozy, custardy comfort food.
- 🥤 Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – Drinkable pie in a glass.
- 🍨 Pumpkin Mousse – Light and airy.
- 🍮 Pumpkin Custard – Creamy baked goodness.
- 🥧 Pumpkin Pie Dip – Perfect for fruit or cookies.
- 🌱 Pumpkin Chia Pudding – Healthy and satisfying.
- 🔥 Pumpkin Crème Brûlée – Fancy caramelized dessert.
🍞 Pumpkin Breads, Cupcakes & Scones
See All Bread, Cupcake & Scone Recipes → – Bakery-worthy fall treats.
- 🍞 Pumpkin Bread – Moist and spiced.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Sweet chocolate in every bite.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Classic fall cupcakes.
- 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Warmly spiced and fluffy.
- 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread – Creamy ribbon through moist bread.
- 🍯 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Crunchy topping perfection.
- 🍪 Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze – Bakery-style treat.
- 🍩 Glazed Pumpkin Donuts – Soft baked donuts with glaze.
🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecakes
See All Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipes → – Creamy cheesecake with pumpkin spice magic.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie – Hybrid of cheesecake and classic pie.
- ❄️ No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake – Creamy and oven-free.
- 🍮 Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake – Beautiful marbled presentation.
- 🧁 Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites – Bite-sized indulgence.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Creamy cheesecake in bar form.
- 🍪 Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – Cookie and cheesecake fusion.
- 🌰 Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake – Nutty crunch with creamy filling.
- 🍫 Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake – Deep chocolate meets pumpkin spice.
🍪 Pumpkin Cookies
See All Pumpkin Cookie Recipes → – Soft, chewy, and perfect for fall.
- 🍪 Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookies – Fluffy and spiced.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic combo of sweet and spice.
- 🌰 Chewy Pumpkin Molasses Cookies – Deeply flavored and chewy.
- 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies – Creamy filling between soft cookies.
- 🌾 Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies – Hearty and wholesome.
- 🍯 Frosted Pumpkin Cookies – Sweet icing on top.
- 🌀 Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – Cinnamon-sugar perfection.
- 🍪 Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – Cookies with cheesecake swirls.
- 🍬 Pumpkin Sugar Cookies – Soft and sweet cut-out style.
📏 Pumpkin Bars
See All Pumpkin Bar Recipes → – Shareable pumpkin squares for any gathering.
- 📏 Pumpkin Bars – Classic pumpkin dessert bars.
- 🥧 Pumpkin Pie Bars – All the pie flavor, easier to serve.
- 🍥 Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars – Tangy cream cheese layer.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Cheesecake and pumpkin bar fusion.
🧁 Pumpkin Muffin
See All Pumpkin Muffin Recipes → – Soft, warm, and full of spice.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Muffins – Classic, moist muffins.
- 🍯 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Sweet, crunchy topping.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – Chocolate in every bite.
- 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins – Creamy surprise inside.
- 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Boldly spiced and fluffy.
🍰 Pumpkin Cakes
See All Pumpkin Cake Recipes → – From simple loaves to layered showstoppers.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cake – Simple and spiced.
- 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Cake – Extra spice for extra flavor.
- 🌀 Pumpkin Roll Cake – Rolled with cream cheese filling.
- 🎂 Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Impressive centerpiece dessert.
- 🍩 Pumpkin Bundt Cake – Pretty and perfect for glazing.
- ☕ Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Crumb topping for brunch vibes.
- 🍯 Pumpkin Crunch Cake – Sweet, buttery topping with crunch.