Carrot Cake Roll With Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Roll Cream Cheese Frosting creates the most delightful dessert that combines everything you love about traditional carrot cake in an elegant rolled presentation. This moist carrot cake roll wraps tender spiced cake around a rich, creamy filling that melts in your mouth.

I discovered this recipe during a family gathering three years ago. My grandmother pulled out her worn recipe card and taught me the secret to making the perfect carrot cake swiss roll. The kitchen filled with warm cinnamon and nutmeg as we worked together, creating memories as sweet as the dessert itself.

This carrot cake jelly roll stands out from other cake roll recipes because it stays incredibly moist and never cracks when rolling. The cream cheese filling provides the perfect tangy balance to the sweet, spiced cake.

Essential Ingredients for Your Carrot Cake Swiss Roll Recipe

Creating the perfect moist carrot cake roll starts with quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that tender texture and rich flavor.

For the Carrot Spice Cake:

• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely grated fresh carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained (for carrot cake roll with pineapple variation)

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Supplies:

• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Clean kitchen towel
• 15×10 inch jelly roll pan

The secret to this carrot cake log roll lies in using room temperature ingredients. Cold eggs won’t whip properly, and cold cream cheese creates lumpy filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Carrot Cake Roll Recipe

Making this carrot cake swiss roll requires careful timing and technique. Follow these steps for guaranteed success.

Preparing Your Cake:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line your jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

Step 2: Beat eggs in a large bowl for 5 minutes until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add sugar, beating until well combined.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

Step 4: Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Don’t overmix.

Step 5: Fold in grated carrots and walnuts until just combined.

Step 6: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Rolling Your Cake:

Step 7: While cake bakes, lay out a clean kitchen towel and dust generously with powdered sugar.

Step 8: Immediately after removing from oven, turn cake onto the prepared towel.

Step 9: Carefully peel off parchment paper. Starting from the short end, roll cake and towel together. Cool completely on wire rack.

Making the Filling:

Step 10: Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 11: Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Final Assembly:

Step 12: Carefully unroll cooled cake. Spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border.

Step 13: Roll cake again without the towel, starting from the same end. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

This method ensures your carrot cake roll with cream cheese filling stays perfectly shaped and doesn’t crack.

Pro Tips and Variations for Perfect Cake Roll Recipes

After making dozens of these rolls, I’ve learned tricks that guarantee success every time.

Expert Tips:

Don’t Overbake: The cake should be just set but still moist. Overbaking creates cracks when rolling.

Roll While Warm: Always roll the cake immediately after baking. Hot cake is more flexible than cooled cake.

Use Enough Powdered Sugar: Dust your towel generously to prevent sticking.

Grate Carrots Finely: Large carrot pieces can tear the delicate cake during rolling.

Delicious Variations:

Carrot Cake Roll with Pineapple: Add 1/4 cup well-drained crushed pineapple to the batter for tropical sweetness.

Spiced Version: Double the cinnamon and add 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves for extra warmth.

Nutty Twist: Try pecans instead of walnuts, or mix both for complex texture.

Cream Cheese Variations: Add lemon zest to the filling for brightness, or fold in mini chocolate chips for indulgence.

Storage Tips:

Wrap your finished carrot cake log roll tightly in plastic wrap. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and actually improves in flavor after the first day.

Creative Serving Suggestions

This versatile dessert works for many occasions, from casual family dinners to elegant gatherings.

Presentation Ideas:

Classic Style: Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with chopped walnuts.

Elegant Touch: Drizzle with caramel sauce and add candied carrots on the side.

Holiday Version: Roll in toasted coconut for a festive appearance.

Individual Portions: Slice thick pieces and serve on dessert plates with fresh berries.

Perfect Pairings:

Serve alongside vanilla ice cream for temperature contrast. The cold, creamy ice cream complements the spiced cake beautifully.

Hot coffee or spiced tea enhances the warm spices in this moist carrot cake roll.

For special occasions, pair with a glass of dessert wine or champagne.

Seasonal Adaptations:

Spring gatherings call for fresh strawberry garnish. Summer parties benefit from a light dusting of cinnamon. Fall celebrations deserve candied pecans on top. Winter holidays shine with crystallized ginger decoration.

Conclusion

This Carrot Cake Roll Cream Cheese Frosting recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert. The combination of moist, spiced cake and rich cream cheese filling creates a treat that impresses every time.

The rolling technique might seem intimidating at first, but with practice, you’ll master this beautiful presentation. Your guests will think you’re a professional baker when you serve this stunning carrot cake swiss roll.

Remember, the key to success lies in timing and temperature. Room temperature ingredients, proper rolling while warm, and adequate chilling time ensure perfect results.

This recipe has become a family favorite in my home. Every time I make it, I remember that special day learning from my grandmother. Now you can create your own sweet memories with this delightful carrot cake roll recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my carrot cake roll crack when I rolled it? Cracking usually happens when the cake is overbaked or cooled too much before rolling. Always roll while the cake is still warm and slightly underbake rather than overbake.

Can I make this carrot cake jelly roll ahead of time? Yes! This dessert actually tastes better after sitting overnight in the refrigerator. The flavors meld together beautifully. You can make it up to 3 days in advance.

How do I store leftover carrot cake roll with cream cheese filling? Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The cream cheese filling requires refrigeration, so don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Can I freeze this moist carrot cake roll? Yes, wrap the completed roll in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

What’s the difference between a jelly roll pan and a regular baking sheet? A jelly roll pan has raised edges (about 1 inch high) that contain the batter. Regular baking sheets are flat and won’t work for this recipe.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store? Fresh grated carrots work best because they have more moisture and better texture. Pre-shredded carrots can be dry and may not incorporate as well into the batter.

My cream cheese filling is too thin. How can I fix it? Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before beating. If it’s still thin, refrigerate the filling for 30 minutes to firm up before spreading on the cake.