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Libby's Pumpkin Roll

A tender spiced pumpkin cake rolled around a silky cream cheese filling for an impressive yet surprisingly easy holiday dessert.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting towel
Filling
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 15x10-inch jelly roll pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Clean kitchen towel
  • Cooling rack
  • Offset spatula or knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt; set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl for about 2 minutes until pale and slightly thickened.
  4. Mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until just combined.
  5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula until no flour streaks remain.
  6. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 13–15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly touched.
  7. While cake bakes, lay a clean kitchen towel on the counter and dust it generously with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.
  8. Immediately after baking, loosen cake edges and invert cake onto sugared towel. Peel away parchment. Starting from a short end, roll cake and towel together snugly. Place seam-side down on a cooling rack and cool completely, about 60 minutes.
  9. For filling: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
  10. Carefully unroll cooled cake. Spread filling evenly over cake, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides.
  11. Re-roll cake (without towel) tightly. Transfer seam-side down to a serving platter, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set.
  12. Dust with additional powdered sugar if desired, slice into 10–12 pieces, and serve.

Notes

The cake must be rolled while warm to prevent cracking. If cracks appear, simply position them on the underside when serving—powdered sugar will hide imperfections.