Name: Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature; ⅔ cup pumpkin puree 151 grams; ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams; ½ cup brown sugar 107 grams; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams; ¾ cup all-purpose flour 90 grams; 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 grams; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 8 ounces cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 85 grams, room temperature (¾ stick); 1 cup powdered sugar 113 grams, plus more for dusting; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams

Jump to Recipe·5 from 6 reviews

If you love cozy, fall flavors wrapped up in a dreamy dessert, then you’re going to adore this Pumpkin Roll Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy enough to serve guests but is actually super straightforward to make. Trust me, once you try it, this pumpkin roll will be your go-to for all things autumn — it’s fluffy, perfectly spiced, and that cream cheese filling? Absolutely luscious!

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Moisture: The pumpkin puree keeps the cake tender and moist without making it soggy.
Simple, Classic Filling: The cream cheese frosting is creamy but not too sweet, complementing the spices perfectly.
Easy Roll Technique: Rolling the cake in a powdered sugar-dusted towel ensures no cracks and an even shape.
Quick Bake Time: At just about 15-20 minutes, it’s a bake-and-go recipe—you’ll be slicing into this beauty before you know it!

The image shows a rolled cake on a white plate with light ridges along the edge, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has two visible layers: a thick, brown outer layer with a soft, spongy texture, and a spiral of creamy white filling inside. One slice is cut and lies flat on the plate, revealing the swirl pattern clearly, while the rest of the roll stays whole. The cake is dusted with powdered sugar, giving a light powdery coating on top and some sprinkled around the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Pumpkin Roll Recipe comes together with simple ingredients that work in harmony for maximum flavor and texture. Choosing fresh, room temperature items, especially eggs and cream cheese, helps everything mix smoothly and bake evenly.

Eggs: Using large, room temperature eggs gives your cake structure and helps trap air for a light texture.
Pumpkin puree: Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid extra sugar and spices.
Granulated and brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that deepens the pumpkin flavor.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the warm spices and brings everything together.
All-purpose flour: Provides the right balance of gluten to keep the cake tender but stable.
Baking soda: Leavens the batter gently, helping it rise without being too cakey.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice here, giving the pumpkin roll its traditional warm, cozy flavor.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors seamlessly.
Cream cheese: For the smoothest, richest filling—room temp is key to avoid lumps.
Unsalted butter: Adds creaminess and a hint of richness to the filling.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens without grit and helps the frosting spread silky smooth.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love experimenting with this pumpkin roll recipe, especially when serving family or friends with different preferences. You can make it your own with simple swaps or added flavors!

Variation: I once added a touch of nutmeg and cloves to the dry ingredients for a spicier pumpkin roll that really wowed guests at Thanksgiving.
Dietary modifications: Substitute the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version, just watch the texture as some blends absorb more moisture.
Sweetness level: If you like your roll a bit less sweet, reduce the powdered sugar in the filling by 2 tablespoons—still creamy and delicious!
Decor: A sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce adds a lovely twist for special occasions.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

First things first—preheat your oven to 375°F, then prepare a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan by spraying it with oil. Line it carefully with parchment paper, making sure the edges come up the sides, and spray the paper too. This double layer of non-stick help makes rolling out the cake easy and mess-free. Pro tip: I like to use heavyweight parchment to avoid tearing when removing the cake later.

Step 2: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Separately

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mixing these separately ensures even distribution of rising agents and spices in the batter.

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until just combined—not over-mixing or your pumpkin roll may be dense. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly all the way to the edges to get a uniform thickness. Bake for 15-20 minutes—the cake is done when it springs back lightly to the touch. Don’t over-bake or it will crack when you roll it later!

Step 4: Roll While Warm

This part is key: dust a clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar. When the cake comes out of the oven, carefully invert it onto the towel, then gently peel off the parchment paper. Starting from the short end, roll the cake and towel up together while it’s still warm and pliable. This warm roll trains it to shape without cracking. Place it on a wire rack to cool completely in the towel.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Filling

While the cake cools, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase speed until fluffy and creamy. The key is to have room temperature cream cheese and butter here for the smoothest, lump-free filling.

Step 6: Assemble and Chill

Once your pumpkin cake is completely cool, gently unroll it and spread the cream cheese filling in an even layer. Carefully re-roll the cake without the towel this time and place it seam side down on a serving platter. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let it firm up—this makes slicing so much neater!

💡

Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It really helps the batter come together smoothly and prevents lumps in the filling.
Don’t Skip Rolling While Warm: Rolling the cake while still warm with the towel keeps it flexible and crack-free.
Dust the Towel Generously with Powdered Sugar: This prevents the cake from sticking while you roll it up.
Watch That Bake Time Closely: Overbaking dries the cake out, making it brittle and harder to roll.

How to Serve Pumpkin Roll Recipe

The image shows a white plate with a pumpkin roll cake dusted with powdered sugar. The cake has four visible layers, three of which are cut thickly and lying flat, showing the swirl pattern of light cream cheese filling inside the darker orange-brown pumpkin cake layer. The fourth piece is a thicker uncut roll standing up, also dusted with powdered sugar on top and around the plate, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love dusting extra powdered sugar over the top just before serving for that classic, snowy look. Sometimes I add a few cinnamon sticks or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans for a festive touch. If I want to get extra fancy, a drizzle of caramel sauce really amps up the flavor.

Side Dishes

This pumpkin roll pairs beautifully with a simple cup of coffee or hot apple cider. At holiday dinners, I like serving it alongside whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish that guests adore.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a family party, I sliced the pumpkin roll into mini rounds and laid them out on a platter garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs and mini pumpkins—super cute and festive. You can also stack small slices and use a drizzle of maple syrup for a brunch-worthy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pumpkin roll in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays moist and flavorful for about 3-4 days. Just be sure to keep it chilled because of the cream cheese filling.

Freezing

Freezing pumpkin roll works surprisingly well. I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight to keep that creamy texture intact.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy it warm, I suggest slicing the pumpkin roll and gently warming slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Heating too long can melt the filling, so keep it brief. Alternatively, serve at room temperature and enjoy the cream cheese filling at its best.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

It’s best to use plain pumpkin puree rather than canned pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling contains added sugar and spices which can overly sweeten and change the texture of your pumpkin roll.
How do I prevent the pumpkin roll from cracking?

Rolling the cake while it’s still warm, directly after baking, is the secret to avoiding cracks. Rolling it with the powdered sugar-dusted towel gives the cake flexibility and trains it to hold shape.
Can I make the pumpkin roll ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make and assemble the pumpkin roll a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
What’s the best way to slice a pumpkin roll?

Use a sharp serrated knife and slice gently in a sawing motion to keep the roll intact without squishing the filling. Wiping the knife clean between slices helps make neat cuts.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Roll Recipe is my little slice of fall happiness—one that brings smiles every time I serve it, whether at a big holiday meal or a quiet afternoon treat. It’s straightforward family-friendly baking that delivers a stunning, flavorful result. So grab your ingredients and give it a try—you’ll soon see why this pumpkin roll is such a treasured classic in my kitchen, and I bet it’ll be in yours too.