Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling

Table of Contents

1. Carrot Cake Roll Ingredients
2. Substitutions For Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling
3. How To Make This Carrot Cake Roll Recipe
4. Tips For Rolling A Cake Without Causing It To Break Or Crack
5. How To Serve A Carrot Swiss Roll
6. When To Serve This Roll Cake
7. Storing A Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling
8. Why We Think This Is The Best Carrot Roll Cake
9. FAQ About A Carrot Swiss Roll
10. More Roll Cake Recipes You’ll Love
11. JUMP TO RECIPE

This carrot cake roll is a pretty twist on a classic carrot cake. Cinnamon spice carrot cake is layered with a luscious cream cheese filling, then rolled up and topped with a light glaze, making a stunning and delicious dessert. 

Carrot Cake Roll Ingredients

Substitutions For Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling

BUTTER: Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted butter. Just add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the filling.

CARROTS: Baby carrots can replace the whole carrots in this recipe.

NUTS: If you love nuts on your carrot cake, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the finished cake and around it on the serving plate.

CARAMEL: Add a drizzle of yummy caramel sauce on top before serving. 

FILLING: Get creative with the filling by incorporating ingredients like shredded coconut, sprinkles, finely chopped crystallized ginger, or even mini chocolate chips.

These additions can infuse your carrot cake roll with unique textures and flavors that elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness.

How To Make This Carrot Cake Roll Recipe

Making a roll cake involves a number of steps to ensure the fluffy cake is rolled perfectly and filled with just the right amount of filling.

Our directions below will walk you through everything you need to know.

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl, and set dry ingredients aside.

STEP TWO: In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat the eggs for 5 minutes or until they are a light frothy yellow.

STEP THREE: Add the sugar, vanilla, and oil to the eggs, then beat until well combined.

STEP FOUR: Fold in the flour mixture and then the carrots.

STEP FIVE: Pour batter into a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

STEP SIX: Spread the cake batter evenly in the prepared pan, then bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

STEP SEVEN: Remove the cake from the oven and run a sharp knife around the edges of the pan to loosen it.

STEP EIGHT: Heavily dust a linen tea towel with powdered sugar and place it over the cake.

Lay a large, heavy cutting board on top of the towel, then quickly flip the cake over, taking care not to touch the hot pan with your hands.

STEP NINE: Remove the pan and carefully peel the parchment paper off the cake. Generously dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Flip the ends of the towel over the short ends of the cake and carefully roll one end toward the other. Set aside the rolled carrot cake log to cool completely.

STEP TEN: To make the filling, cream together the cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer in a medium mixing bowl at medium speed for 1 to 1½ minutes.

STEP ELEVEN: Reduce the speed to low speed and add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture.

Increase the speed to medium and blend for another minute until smooth.

STEP TWELVE: To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until the glaze is completely smooth, then set it aside.

STEP THIRTEEN: To assemble, slowly unroll the cooled cake roll.

STEP FOURTEEN: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake with a spatula, avoiding the edges of the cake.

STEP FIFTEEN: Using slow and even pressure, slowly roll the cake into a roll shape.

STEP SIXTEEN: Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour or overnight.

STEP SEVENTEEN: Drizzle the glaze over the finished cake before slicing.

STEP EIGHTEEN: Cut the ends off the roll with a sharp or serrated knife, then gently slice the cake into 10 to 12 even slices. 

Allow the slices to thaw for a few minutes before serving. 

Tips For Rolling A Cake Without Causing It To Break Or Crack

Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Bake the cake on parchment paper. The paper provides support and reduces the chance of the cake sticking.

Gentle Pressure: When rolling, apply gentle and even pressure. This ensures the cake rolls uniformly without any part being overly compressed.

Pre-Rolling Technique: Before adding the filling, gently roll and unroll the cake once to “train” it. This makes the final rolling process smoother.

Avoid Overfilling: Too much filling can cause the cake to break when you try to roll it.

How To Serve A Carrot Swiss Roll

SERVE WITH CREAM: Nothing complements this dessert better than a dollop of whipped cream (or a scoop of vanilla ice cream) on top.

The creamy texture of the whipped cream and the sweetness of the ice cream perfectly balances the subtle spice of the cake.

SERVE WITH COFFEE: The flavors of the carrot cake roll complement the bitterness of coffee, making for a delightful combination. Try our vanilla latte recipe for a fun pairing.

SERVE WITH WINE: A glass of dessert wine, like a Moscato or a late-harvest Riesling, pairs wonderfully with the carrot cake roll. The wine’s sweetness and acidity balance the richness of the cake, enhancing the overall taste.

ADD TOPPINGS: Drizzle thin lines of caramel sauce or chocolate sauce on the roll.

Sprinkle the top with chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for added texture and a rustic look.

You could even grate some orange or lemon zest on top for a pop of color and a hint of citrusy aroma.

When To Serve This Roll Cake

The best moments often revolve around good food and great company.

ON EASTER: Carrot cake is often associated with Easter due to the bunny and carrot connection. Serving a carrot cake roll can be a unique twist to the traditional carrot cake during this holiday.

To decorate for Easter, you could use pastel-colored sprinkles in the filling and/or over the top of the roll.

Another option would be to melt white chocolate and tint it with soft Easter colors like lavender, mint green, or baby pink. Drizzle these over the roll for a colorful effect.

You could also place small chocolate Easter eggs along the base of the roll cake.

And don’t forget to add our easy Easter bunny cake to your dessert offerings to delight the little ones.

ON MOTHER’S DAY: Treat moms to the delightful flavors of a carrot Swiss roll. Its moist texture and rich cream filling make it a delectable dessert, perfectly complementing the warmth and sweetness that mothers bring into our lives.

AT AN ADULT BIRTHDAY PARTY: For those who prefer a lighter, less traditional birthday cake, a carrot cake roll can be a unique and delicious choice.

AT POTLUCKS: Because it’s easy to slice and share, a carrot cake roll is ideal for community gatherings or potlucks where guests can take a piece without much fuss.

AT BRUNCH: Add a dessert option to your brunch spread. The carrot roll cake complements savory brunch items and offers a sweet end to the meal.

For more of our favorite carrot cake recipes, check out carrot cake cheesecake and carrot cake cupcakes.

Storing A Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Filling

This cake is best kept in the fridge since it has cream cheese in the delicious filling. If you want to keep it longer, wait to top it with the glaze and pop it in the freezer until you are ready to serve it.

MAKE AHEAD:
If you’re thinking about preparing this carrot cake roll ahead of time, you’re in luck!

Once you’ve rolled and frosted it, wrap it gently but securely in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before serving. Making it in advance can be a lifesaver when you have a busy schedule or want to have a delicious treat ready to go.

IN THE FRIDGE:
The cream cheese filling in this carrot cake roll means it’s best stored in the refrigerator.

After serving, cover any remaining portions with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to four days in the fridge.

IN THE FREEZER:
If you wish to store the carrot cake roll for a longer period, you can freeze it. Before freezing, avoid glazing the roll.

Wrap the unglazed roll tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, allow the roll to thaw in the refrigerator before adding the glaze and slicing.

Why We Think This Is The Best Carrot Roll Cake

IMPRESSIVE PRESENTATION: The elegant swirl of moist carrot cake and cream cheese frosting creates a stunning visual impact. It’s a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, making it perfect for special occasions and gatherings.

DELICIOUSLY SPICED: This cake roll is filled with warm and comforting spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, which complement the sweet carrots perfectly.

MOIST TEXTURE: The use of finely grated carrots and buttermilk in the cake batter ensures a moist and tender texture. Each bite is soft and flavorful, making it a delightful treat for carrot cake enthusiasts.

This amazing homemade carrot cake roll will become a favorite once you try it. It’s a delicious classic treat with moist cake and the creamy filling just has all the flavors of traditional carrot cake.

More Roll Cake Recipes You’ll Love

• Pumpkin Roll
• Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake
• Caramel Banana Cake Roll
• Chocolate Swiss Roll
• Rainbow Roll Cake