Pumpkin roll is one of my all time favorite things to make at this time of year. If you’re not feeling the fall vibe just yet, this will do it for you. The flavors of pumpkin and cream cheese with the crunch of the finely chopped walnuts is out of this world good. It tastes like the holidays.
There is definitely a method to making pumpkin roll but it’s fun and it will turn out great if you follow a few simple steps – I promise. Here we go!
You can use any rimmed baking sheet that measures from 10″ x 15″ up to 12″ x 17″. I always use my standard 12″ x 17″ jelly roll pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your pan. Spray the edges of the paper and the edges of the pan with cooking spray so the cake will lift out easily after baking. Pour the cake batter on to the center of the parchment paper.
Using a plastic spatula, spread the cake batter out evenly over the paper, right up to the edges. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, checking often. Don’t overbake, you want the cake to be very moist. Allow to cool about 20 minutes.
Pull out a clean dish towel and dust it generously with powdered sugar. This will help prevent the cake from sticking to the towel. Carefully turn the cake out on to the prepared dish towel, parchment paper side up. Peel the parchment paper off. Fold the end of the dish towel over the narrow end of the cake. I know this seems crazy but trust me.
Roll the cake from the narrow end with the dish towel inside. Let it sit for about 30 minutes or more. This will help the cake to keep it’s form and prevent it from cracking. Still with me? We’re almost there!
Now it’s time to prepare the cream cheese filling. I always add a little fresh lemon juice when I make a cream cheese icing. It helps cut the sweetness and adds a nice balance to the flavor.
After the rolled cake has been sitting for at least 30 minutes, unroll it and dump the filling right on to the center.
Spread the filling evenly over the surface and sprinkle with some finely chopped walnuts. Can we just eat it like this? Yum! Sorry, momentary lapse – lets roll ‘er up.
Roll it again. This time without the dish towel. Now we’re getting somewhere!
Wrap it tightly in heavy duty foil, twisting the ends. Refrigerate at least an hour or more.
Using a sharp knife, slice into 1″ slices. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar and serve.
Enjoy!
Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Walnut Filling
Ingredients
Cake
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup pumpkin puree not pie filling
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 to 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
Filling
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup walnuts finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees . Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit a jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet that measures at least 10” by 15” or up to 12” x 17”. Spray the edges of the parchment paper and the edges of the pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin puree, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Smooth mixture out evenly over the parchment paper with a rubber spatula.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of your pan. Watch closely and do not over bake. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 20 minutes.
- Spread a clean kitchen towel on the counter, sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel parchment paper side up. Peel the parchment paper off. Turn the edge of the towel over the narrow end of the cake. Carefully roll the towel up from the narrow end (lengthwise) with the cake in it. Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes or more.
- Make the filling. In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, sugar, and lemon juice with an electric mixer.
- Unroll the cake and spread the filling evenly over the surface. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the filling. Roll the cake again, this time without the towel. Wrap the roll in heavy duty foil and refrigerate for at least an hour or more. When ready to serve, move the cake to a cutting board and slice into 1” slices. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar if desired.
- Foil wrapped pumpkin roll can be frozen for up to a month.
- Adapted from Allrecipes.com
Jenn@BakingJenn'sBlog says
I have never had a pumpkin roll (shocking I know). I had a bad experience with pumpkins when I was little and I am just now coming around to the idea of trying them again. This recipe looks really good!
Valerie says
Thanks Jenn! I’m afraid to ask what happened 🙂 I hope you try it and it helps to ease the bad pumpkin memories.
Bonnie Banters says
This looks completely delicious and perfect for the fall…especially Thanksgiving!
Thanks!
Valerie says
Thanks for stopping by Bonnie!
Cristina says
Beautifully done! I’m craving this pumpkin roll, now. It looks like it takes a certain finesse to get it rolling. It’s gorgeous and would be just lovely for the holidays during entertaining. 🙂
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies) says
I’ve been meaning to try a roll-type recipe–there was a chocolate variety I enjoyed a lot as a child. I’ve not gotten around to it much less think about technique. Glad to see your post so I can use as a guide. The fall flavors are awesome, too!
Maggie says
I have been wanting to make a pumpkin roll for ages, but have been intimidated by the whole rolling part. You have inspired me! I will try this recipe and not be intimidated! Thanks for sharing.
Shelby says
I’m making pumpkin roll today for Grumpy (per his request). Pumpkin roll is my oldest son’s favorite too!
Judy Anderson says
I have made Pumpkin Rolls at Thanksgiving and let me tell you, they are to die for. So moist and scrumptious. For those that have not made one, try it, you won’t be sorry.
P.S. I do not put walnuts in mine as they are very acidic so I tend to get canker sores because of that.
Kathy says
I have made this for years, instead of the lemon juice in the cream cheese filling I use brandy or rum extract. It is wonderful!!
Cherie says
On the instructions by the pictures it says to bake it at 300 degrees but in the recipe it says 375 degrees. Which should I use?
Valerie says
Hi Cherie. Thanks so much for pointing out this error. The correct oven temperature is 375 degrees as shown on the printable recipe. I’ve corrected the error on the step by step instructions. Good catch!
Teresa says
I can’t wait to try this recipe . Love pumpkin and am &lways on the look out for ways to use it in recipes . Thank you for the simple to follow step by step directions .
Amanda says
I Made This For The First Time It Was So Easy! And I Took It To Work They Loved It. It Didn’t Even Last An Hour! Thanks So Much For The Recipe
Valerie says
That’s wonderful Amanda! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
joanna says
Omg. ..I haven’t had a pumpkin roll in almost 10yrs!
I’m so excited that I saw this because now I can try this at home. 🙂
joanna says
I forgot to mention that I don’t even like pumpkin. … but this is my favorite holiday dessert!
Valerie says
Funny how that can work! I hope you enjoy it, Joanna 🙂
Erin says
gotta question, do you let the cake cool in the jelly pan for 20 minutes and then another 30 when you roll it in the towel? I just wanna make sure since I’ve not made these before. Thanks!
Valerie says
Yes, you’ve got it right. The cake should cool a bit before you try to remove it from the pan. Then let it sit for about 30 minutes after you roll it in the towel so it will remember that shape. It makes it far easier to roll it again once you’ve added the filling.
Erin says
thanks soo much, my hubby loves pumpkin rolls and it’s the one thing I’ve not tried before
Karen says
WOW..I have never heard of pumpkin roll…I will definitely be trying this
Cheers from down under 🙂
Anne says
I just made this cake. I made it into 4 4″ wide layers instead of the roll thinking it would save time – but I think the roll would have been easier! Haha! Either way, it is delicious. Only thing I did different was to add lemon zest to the frosting – I love lemon. Thanks for the great recipe and pictures.
Alissa says
This looks really good. Can I make pumpkin puree instead of buying it? If so, how do you suggest I do it?
Thank you and really looking forward to trying and sharing this recipe.
Valerie says
You can absolutely use your own pumpkin puree. Pioneer Woman has good instructions on how to make your own. Click HERE to check them out.
mitzi says
Iam making this rite now for the second time it is so delicious put pecans in it the first time , first time I ever made one and ate one,thank you so much for the recipe!!!!
Valerie says
You’re very welcome, Mitzi! Thanks for stopping by. I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe 🙂
Pat Helbert says
i noticed you used a regular kitchen terry cloth towel – someone at another site said don’t use terry cloth use a flour sack or something on that order to keep it from cracking, but yours looks wonderful. Is that just a regular dish towel
Valerie says
Hi, Pat! I have always used just a regular old dish towel with no issues. Whatever you use, just be sure to sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar to prevent the cake from sticking. Good luck 🙂