Irresistibly Fluffy Carrot Cake Roll Recipe for Sweet Moments

Whipping up a delightful carrot cake roll brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Sweet aromas will drift through your home as layers of spiced batter come together.

Soft cream cheese filling promises a delectable surprise waiting inside each delicate slice.

Baking this dessert feels like creating magic with simple ingredients and love.

Seasonal spices dance together, making each bite a celebration of comfort and warmth.

Home cooks discover an impressive treat that looks complicated but comes together surprisingly easily.

You’ll wow everyone at the gathering with this elegant and scrumptious dessert that seems like it arrived straight from a professional bakery.

Let’s roll into this delicious journey that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary sweet experience.

Carrot Cake Roll That Spirals with Flavor

• Perfect for home bakers seeking a delightful dessert challenge that doesn't require professional skills.
• Takes just 30-40 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal recipe for busy home cooks wanting a spectacular treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Offers a delicious twist on traditional carrot cake, with the rolled format adding visual appeal and wow factor that impresses family and guests at potlucks, birthdays, and holiday gatherings.
• Allows flexible ingredient adjustments like adding nuts, adjusting spices, or creating dairy-free variations to suit different dietary preferences and taste buds.

Ingredients That Build This Spiced Carrot Cake Roll

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cake roll.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for a light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg: Warm spices that give classic carrot cake flavor.

• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that provide moisture and depth of flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet background flavor.

• Carrots: Fresh, grated carrots provide moisture and natural sweetness.
• Walnuts: Optional crunchy element that adds texture and nutty flavor.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creamy base for the filling with rich, tangy flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth to the filling.

• Powdered Sugar: For dusting and decorative touch.

How to Roll, Fill, and Chill Carrot Cake Roll Flawlessly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F. Grab a jelly roll pan and give it a good coating of grease. Line it with parchment paper, then give that a light grease too.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg

Whisk these together until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil

Beat everything until it looks smooth and silky.

Step 4: Marry the Mixtures

• Grated carrots
• Chopped walnuts

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Slide into oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cake is ready when it springs back after a gentle touch.

Step 6: Roll with Technique

While cake is warm, flip it onto a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment paper. Start from short end and roll cake with towel. Let it cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up Filling

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until creamy and dreamy.

Step 8: Fill and Refold

Carefully unroll cooled cake. Spread cream cheese filling across cake, leaving a small border. Roll it back up without the towel.

Step 9: Chill and Serve

Wrap roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

Tips to Avoid Cracks in Your Carrot Cake Roll

• Prevent Cake Cracking: Gently roll the warm cake with a kitchen towel to create flexibility and prevent breaking when filling later.
• Moisture Magic: Add grated carrots at room temperature to ensure even distribution and maintain cake's soft, moist texture throughout.
• Filling Finesse: Chill cream cheese mixture briefly before spreading to achieve a smoother, easier-to-spread consistency without tearing the delicate cake.
• Storage Savvy: Wrap the carrot cake roll tightly in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the cake's structural integrity and tender crumb.

Best Ways to Store Carrot Cake Roll Slices

• Store the carrot cake roll wrapped tightly in plastic wrap inside an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the entire roll securely in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying to restore softness.
• Dust with fresh powdered sugar just before serving to refresh the cake's appearance and add a delightful sweet touch.

What Goes Well with Carrot Cake Roll?

• Pair with Creamy Chai Latte for a warm, spicy complement that echoes the cake's cinnamon and ginger notes.
• Serve alongside chilled Orange Mint Spritzer to cut through the richness and provide a bright, zesty counterpoint.
• Complement with Salted Caramel Ice Cream to enhance the cake's nutty undertones and provide a luxurious dessert experience.
• Enjoy with a glass of Late Harvest Riesling, whose sweet and slightly acidic profile balances the cream cheese filling perfectly.

Carrot Cake Roll Twists You Might Want to Try

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Roll: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring a celiac-friendly dessert.
• Vegan Carrot Cake Alternative: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and create a dairy-free cream cheese filling using cashew or coconut cream.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of granulated sugar, and reduce total sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Omit walnuts and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies, keeping the cake's texture and crunch intact.

All About Carrot Cake Roll – Your Questions Covered

• Can I make this carrot cake roll ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the roll a day in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop and become more delicious overnight.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this roll?

You’ll need a jelly roll pan, parchment paper, a clean kitchen towel, and standard mixing bowls. An electric mixer helps, but you can also mix by hand with some extra effort.

• Is it difficult to roll the cake without breaking it?

Rolling the cake while it’s warm and using a powdered sugar-dusted towel helps prevent cracking. Go slowly and gently when rolling, and don’t worry if small cracks appear – they’ll be hidden by the filling.

• Can I substitute nuts in the recipe?

Absolutely! If you don’t like walnuts or have a nut allergy, you can simply omit them or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for added crunch.

Carrot Cake Roll Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Luscious carrot cake roll dances with creamy cream cheese filling, promising a delightful dessert experience. Spiced warmth and delicate sweetness combine to create an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely grated carrots
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• Powdered sugar (for rolling)

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C). Coat a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with grease, then layer with parchment paper. Apply a light grease coating to the parchment surface.
2. Create a dry ingredient mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl.
3. Develop a smooth wet ingredient blend by vigorously beating eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until fully integrated.
4. Merge dry and wet components by gradually incorporating the flour mixture into the liquid base. Stir until just combined, then gently fold in grated carrots and chopped walnuts.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cake surface springs back when lightly pressed.
6. Immediately after removing from oven, carefully invert the warm cake onto a clean kitchen towel generously dusted with powdered sugar. Delicately remove the parchment paper. Carefully roll the cake with the towel from the shorter end, allowing it to cool completely.
7. Craft the cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese and butter until smooth and uniform. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until achieving a creamy consistency.
8. Unroll the completely cooled cake with precision. Spread the cream cheese filling across the surface, maintaining a small border around the edges. Carefully re-roll the cake without the towel.
9. Secure the rolled cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. Before serving, dust the exterior with a light coating of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Ensure room temperature ingredients blend seamlessly, preventing lumps and creating a smoother cake texture.
• Use fresh, finely grated carrots for maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the roll.
• Line pan edges with extra parchment paper for easier cake removal and preventing sticking.
• Dust towel with powdered sugar generously to prevent cake from clinging during initial rolling process.
• Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a light, tender cake consistency.
• Cool cake completely before adding filling to prevent cream cheese from melting and losing structure.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend.
• Substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts entirely for nut-free dietary needs.
• Reduce sugar by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener for low-carb variation.
• Refrigerate roll up to 3 days, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 195
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg