Pumpkin season brings cravings for comforting, spiced treats, and nothing satisfies quite like a classic pumpkin roll. With its tender sponge cake and sweet cream cheese swirl, it’s a nostalgic dessert that instantly warms up any fall gathering.
Why This Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe Works
This classic pumpkin roll is soft, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg fills your kitchen, while the rich cream cheese center delivers just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, it slices beautifully and tastes even better the next day. For holidays like Thanksgiving, it makes a charming, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients for a Homemade Pumpkin Roll
Pantry & Fresh
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | ¾ cup |
| Pumpkin purée | ⅔ cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ tsp |
| Eggs | 3 large |
| Cream cheese (softened) | 8 oz |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup + extra for dusting |
| Butter (softened) | 6 tbsp |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
Substitutions for Your Pumpkin Roll Recipe
If you need dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter. For gluten-free diets, a 1:1 baking flour blend works well. You could also add a pinch of cloves or swap nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice. For less sugar, reduce powdered sugar slightly, the filling will still hold beautifully.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll
Here’s how to make this classic pumpkin roll with ease, from batter to perfect spiral.
- Make the batter
First, beat eggs and sugar until fluffy. Then, mix in pumpkin purée and vanilla. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients and gradually fold them into the wet mixture.
- Bake and roll
Pour the batter into a parchment-lined jelly roll pan. Bake at 375°F for 13–15 minutes. Immediately flip the cake onto a powdered-sugar-dusted towel and roll it up while hot.
- Prepare the filling
Meanwhile, beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. The texture should be thick and easy to spread.
- Assemble and chill
Unroll the cooled cake gently. Spread the filling evenly, then re-roll it. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Pro Tips
To prevent cracking, roll the cake while it’s still hot. Also, don’t skip the parchment, it makes removal seamless. You can dust with powdered sugar just before serving for a clean look. For best results, use room-temperature cream cheese. If your kitchen is humid, chill the cake briefly before slicing to get sharper swirls.
Variations & Substitutions
For a vegan version, use flax eggs and dairy-free alternatives. Add toasted pecans for crunch or swirl in maple extract for a seasonal twist. You can even bake it as cupcakes using the same batter. If you’re looking for something more decadent, add white chocolate chips to the filling. For Thanksgiving, this pairs wonderfully with other unique Thanksgiving recipes.
Serve It With
Serve this classic pumpkin roll alongside Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing, warm apple cider, or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It also makes a sweet companion to Spiced Pear Crisp or chai lattes.
Storage & Reheat
Wrap the roll tightly in plastic and refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it, uncut, for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight. Always slice chilled for cleaner cuts. Avoid reheating, it’s best served cold or at room temp.
Nutrition
Each slice contains around 280 calories, 12g fat, 36g carbs, and 3g protein. The pumpkin provides fiber and beta-carotene, while the cream cheese adds calcium. You can view full details at USDA Food Data.
FAQs
The filling is a smooth, sweetened cream cheese mixture made with butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. It adds richness and balances the pumpkin spice flavor.
Key ingredients include pumpkin purée, sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, and warm spices. The filling typically uses cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
The center of a pumpkin roll is filled with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. This classic swirl gives it both visual appeal and rich flavor.
Most pumpkin rolls feature ground cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also use ginger or a pumpkin spice blend for added warmth.
More Like This
Try Halloween Pumpkin Pizza for a fun savory twist, or bake Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies for a chewy spice treat. If you love breakfast sweets, Chai Pumpkin Muffins are a must. And don’t miss our White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies to round out your fall baking.
Print
Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic pumpkin roll is a soft, spiced pumpkin cake filled with creamy vanilla-scented frosting and rolled to perfection. Perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving tables, or whenever you crave a cozy seasonal treat.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar + extra for dusting
- 6 tbsp butter (softened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy. Add pumpkin purée and mix until combined. Then stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 12–14 minutes. Once baked, immediately turn out onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar and gently roll while warm. Let it cool completely rolled.
- Beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar until light and creamy. Make sure the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
- Unroll the cooled cake carefully, spread the cream cheese filling evenly, and gently re-roll. Chill before slicing for the cleanest cuts.
Notes
- For easy rolling, dust the towel with plenty of powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- You can prep the roll a day in advance flavors develop even more overnight.
- Use parchment paper for an easy release from the pan.
- Don’t overbake, or it will crack when rolled.
- Add chopped pecans or a dash of ginger for a twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Save This Recipe for Later
Want to impress your guests this fall? Bookmark this pumpkin roll and add it to your Thanksgiving dessert lineup, it’s simple to make, beautiful to serve, and unforgettable to eat.