My Favorite Pumpkin Roll

If you’re looking for a no-frills, classic, and totally delicious pumpkin cake roll, then look no further. This is my favorite pumpkin roll recipe, made yearly for Thanksgiving.

Have you heard about the Great Canned Pumpkin Shortage of 2009? If you are a baker, perhaps you have. I noticed this in October. I explained to loved ones “No pumpkin – it just wasn’t there!” and was met with a suspect “…maybe you were in the wrong aisle?” Indeed something was up. 1/3 of Nestle’s crops were ruined by heavy rains, causing an apology by the company for shortages in grocery stores nationwide.

Living in the Southern US, I could probably throw a rock and hit someone with a pumpkin patch. So, as long as I know how to roast a pumpkin, the natives in our Thanksgiving clan will not be restless.

Pumpkin Roasting Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut one small pumpkin into quarters and lay on a large foil-lined cookie sheet. (you may need 2 pans depending on the size of your pumpkin) Bake for 45 minutes. Pumpkin should be soft when pierced with a fork. If it is still a little firm, bake for 10 – 15 minutes longer. Allow to cool completely. Scrape pumpkin flesh from rind and mash in a bowl. If your pumpkin is especially stringy, then place it in a blender to puree it. You may need to add a little water as you blend. Scrape it into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Here’s my very favorite Thanksgiving dessert to make with pumpkin, My Favorite Pumpkin Roll. The goodness of pumpkin sponge cake paired with cream cheese filling is one of life’s best simple pleasures.

I’ve recently noticed store-brand pumpkin has been fully stocked on the grocer’s shelves where I shop. I would imagine the same is true for most grocery stores across the country. However, I would encourage you to explore the fresh option. Although not as convenient, the end result is much more rewarding.

I think we pumpkin-lovers just might survive this.

My Favorite Pumpkin Roll

Heather Baird

This is the best classic pumpkin roll recipe I've ever found. It's adapted from a recipe by Libbey, purveyor of high quality canned pumpkin puree.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 13 minutes mins

1 hour cooling time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 33 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Equipment

• 15×10 jelly roll pan

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

Cake ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar to sprinkle on towel
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin

Filling ingredients

• 1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

Cake portion

• Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with parchment paper, or spray pan with flour-based baking spray.
• Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
• Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

Filling portion

• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Keyword cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin puree

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!