Carrot Cake Roll

A carrot cake roll with cream cheese filling is a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake.

Combining the spiced, moist flavors of carrot cake with the creamy tang of cream cheese filling, this dish is perfect for special occasions, holidays, or as an everyday treat. The roll format makes it visually appealing and easier to slice and serve in neat portions.

Carrot cakes are believed to have originated in the Middle Ages when sugar and other sweeteners were expensive, and carrots were used as a sweetening agent due to their natural sugar content. The cake rose in popularity in America during World War II and the 1960s, when home bakers looked for inventive ways to create desserts with limited resources.

Why you will love Carrot Cake Roll?

The carrot cake roll blends the rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and carrots with the velvety smoothness of cream cheese filling.

• The earthy sweetness of carrots balances beautifully with the tang of the cream cheese, while spices like cinnamon and nutmeg lend warmth to each bite.
• The cake has a moist yet firm texture that contrasts with the creamy filling, creating a delightful mouthfeel.
• This harmony of sweetness, spice, and tang ensures that every bite is complex, satisfying, and flavorful.

Additionally, the rolling technique means that you get a perfect balance of cake and filling in every slice.

Serving suggestions for Carrot Cake Roll

Afternoon Tea Gathering
Serve the carrot cake roll at an afternoon tea with delicate cups of tea and small finger sandwiches. The cake’s vibrant orange color and creamy filling make it the centerpiece of the table. Slice the roll into neat portions and serve on small dessert plates, adding a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.

Holiday Dessert Spread
This carrot cake roll is perfect for holiday parties, such as Easter or Thanksgiving, where traditional flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream cheese reign supreme. Place the cake on a decorative platter, and garnish with edible flowers, walnuts, or finely grated carrots for a festive appearance.

Birthday Celebration
Instead of a traditional birthday cake, surprise someone with this elegant carrot cake roll. It’s easy to slice and serve, making it ideal for large gatherings. You can also decorate the roll with candles or personalized icing decorations for an extra festive touch.

What do you need to make Carrot Cake Roll?

Carrots
Grated carrots are the star ingredient of the cake, adding natural sweetness, moisture, and a subtle earthy flavor. Their natural sugar content makes the cake naturally sweet, while their fibrous texture helps maintain the cake’s structure

All-Purpose Flour
Flour provides the basic structure of the cake by creating gluten, which gives the cake its light yet firm texture. It allows the cake to hold its shape when rolled while still being soft and tender.

Sugar
Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and also helps in the caramelization process during baking, contributing to the golden color of the cake.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg
These spices infuse the cake with warmth and depth. Cinnamon offers a sweet-spicy flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the carrots, while nutmeg adds a slightly nutty, spicy undertone that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Eggs
Eggs provide moisture, structure, and stability to the cake. The proteins in eggs help set the cake as it bakes, while the yolks add richness and flavor.

Cream Cheese
The cream cheese filling is rich, tangy, and creamy, offering a perfect balance to the sweetness and spice of the carrot cake. Its smooth texture makes it ideal for spreading and rolling, while its slight acidity brightens up the overall flavor of the dessert.

Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract enhances the flavors of both the cake and the filling. Its subtle sweetness and floral notes bring out the warmth of the spices and the creaminess of the filling, making the entire dessert more aromatic and complex.

Baking Powder
Baking powder helps the cake rise, making it light and airy. This is crucial for achieving the right texture in the cake roll, as it needs to be firm enough to roll without breaking but still soft and delicate.

Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is used to sweeten the cream cheese filling and for dusting the finished cake roll. Its fine texture ensures that the filling is smooth and creamy, without any graininess.

Carrot Cake Roll step by step

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar on high speed until thick and pale, about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat to combine.

4. Fold in the grated carrots, then gently fold in the dry ingredients until fully combined.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. While the cake bakes, prepare a kitchen towel dusted generously with powdered sugar.

7. Once baked, immediately turn the cake onto the towel. Peel off the parchment paper and roll the cake up in the towel, starting from a short end. Let it cool completely.

8. For the filling, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

9. Once the cake is cool, unroll it gently, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface, and roll it back up.

10. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Dust with additional powdered sugar if desired.

You might also like…

• Pumpkin Bundt Cake
• German Apple Cake
• Almond Pear Cake

Carrot Cake Roll

A carrot cake roll with cream cheese filling is a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake. Combining the spiced, moist flavors of carrot cake with the creamy tang of cream cheese filling, this dish is perfect for special occasions, holidays, or as an everyday treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Calories 358

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine International

Servings 4

Calories 358 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for filling

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar on high speed until thick and pale, about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat to combine.
• Fold in the grated carrots, then gently fold in the dry ingredients until fully combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• While the cake bakes, prepare a kitchen towel dusted generously with powdered sugar.
• Once baked, immediately turn the cake onto the towel. Peel off the parchment paper and roll the cake up in the towel, starting from a short end. Let it cool completely.
• For the filling, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
• Once the cake is cool, unroll it gently, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface, and roll it back up.
• Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Dust with additional powdered sugar if desired.

Keyword Brown Sugar, Carrots, Cream Cheese