Delight in a sumptuous Carrot Cake Roll filled with a creamy cheese frosting. Key ingredients include fresh carrots, ground spices, all-purpose flour, and a heavenly cream cheese filling, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Every bite of this Carrot Cake Roll brings back fond memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where the sweet aroma of baked goods filled the air and laughter echoed through the rooms. I remember one particularly chilly autumn afternoon when she decided it was the perfect day to teach me her secret recipe. We spent hours together grating carrots, measuring spices, and whipping up the creamy frosting. It was more than just baking; it was a lesson in patience and love. Now, whenever I recreate this recipe, it feels like she’s right there with me, guiding me through each step, ensuring every roll is just as perfect as hers was.
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling
This Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling stands out for several reasons.
Firstly, its moist texture and rich flavor are enhanced by the fresh carrots and a blend of spices, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, providing a delightful complexity. The creamy, rich cream cheese filling adds a luxurious contrast to the spiced cake, making every slice decadently satisfying.
Furthermore, this recipe offers a visually stunning alternative to traditional carrot cakes, with its spiraled design and elegant glaze, perfect for impressing guests at any gathering.
Ingredients Notes For Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling
Every component of this Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling is selected to contribute to its divine flavor and texture. Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients:
- Ground Spices: A mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves gives the cake a warm, spicy flavor that’s quintessential for any carrot cake.
- All-Purpose Flour and Eggs: These provide the structure and fluffiness of the cake, ensuring it holds together while maintaining a light texture.
- Granulated and Confectioners’ Sugar: These sugars not only sweeten the cake and frosting but also contribute to the texture. The confectioners’ sugar helps make the frosting smooth and spreadable.
- Vegetable Oil and Vanilla Extract: Oil keeps the cake moist longer than butter would, and vanilla adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the spices.
- Fresh Carrots: Essential for that authentic carrot cake taste, they should be finely shredded to blend well into the batter and bake evenly.
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How To Make Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling
Creating this Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling might sound daunting, but it’s a delightful project if you follow these steps closely:
- Preparation: Start by preheating your oven and preparing your pan with parchment paper. This ensures that your cake doesn’t stick and can be easily rolled later.
- Mixing Dry Ingredients: Whisk together your flour, spices, and leavening agents. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cake, giving each bite a uniform flavor.
- Combining Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until well combined before whisking in the oil, vanilla, and carrots. This method helps incorporate air into the eggs, making the cake lighter.
- Merging Mixtures: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until combined to keep the batter light and fluffy.
- Baking: Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for a precise time. Overbaking can dry out the cake, so timing is crucial.
- Rolling and Cooling: Immediately rolling the warm cake with a tea towel helps prevent cracks and gives the cake its characteristic spiral. Let it cool completely in this form to set the shape.
- Filling: Mix the frosting ingredients until smooth and spread evenly over the unrolled cake. This layer not only adds flavor but also moisture.
- Final Assembly: Re-roll the cake, chill to set the frosting, then glaze and serve. Chilling helps solidify the roll, making slicing easier.
Storage Options
This Carrot Cake Roll can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to maintain its moisture and flavor. For longer storage, you can freeze the cake roll for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving to ensure it retains its texture and taste.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for various tweaks to suit your taste or dietary preferences:
- Gluten-Free Flour: Easily substitute all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend to cater to those with gluten sensitivities.
- Sugar Alternatives: If you’re looking to reduce sugar, consider using a granulated sugar substitute that measures like sugar in the cake and a powdered sugar substitute in the frosting.
- Add-Ins: Enhance the cake with nuts like walnuts or pecans, or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
- Dairy-Free Options: Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives for the frosting to accommodate dairy-free diets.
- Spice Adjustments: Tailor the spice levels to your liking, perhaps increasing the cinnamon or ginger for a spicier kick or reducing them for a milder flavor.
Experimenting with these variations can help make this delightful dessert even more special and suited to your personal or family preferences!
Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake:
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 medium carrots finely shredded
For the Cream Cheese Frosting Filling:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 6 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10-11 tablespoons milk
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan by lightly greasing it and lining with parchment paper, allowing the paper to extend over the sides to facilitate later removal.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined. Incorporate the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and shredded carrots into the egg mixture, whisking again until thoroughly combined.
- Combining Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the cake is set.
- Forming the Roll: Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, invert it onto a clean tea towel. Peel off the parchment paper gently. While the cake is still warm, roll it lengthwise into a tight log using the tea towel. Allow the rolled cake to cool completely on a cooling rack.
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Frosting Preparation: In a medium bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assembling the Cake Roll: Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake, leaving a 1-inch margin on all sides to prevent overflow when re-rolling.
- Final Rolling: Re-roll the cake tightly without the towel. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the frosting.
For the Glaze:
- Glaze Mixing: In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, adjusting the milk quantity to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serving: Once the cake is chilled and firm, remove the plastic wrap, drizzle with the glaze, and slice before serving.