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This Carrot Cake Roll is a delicious take on the favorite Easter cake! Spicy carrot cake is rolled up with cream cheese frosting, for a dessert that will wow your family and friends.
If you think making a cake roll is hard, you’re wrong. Cake rolls are easy to make and SO good to eat!
How to make Carrot Cake Roll
I am often sad that I only have one child. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, or know me at all, you know that I always wanted two kids. I myself am an only child, and while I loved that, I always wanted more. Having more than one child was not in the cards for us, and I really am okay with that – most days. Some days are harder. Some are easier.
And the easier days are when I am reminded of how much easier it is sometimes to have an only. (And yes, I firmly believe that it is not always easier to have one child. That’s another convo for another day.) This weekend was one of those reminders. Jordan was invited to sleepover at her cousins’ house that is a two hour drive from here. We met halfway yesterday, and I’ll pick her up at the same place this afternoon.
Which means that, all afternoon yesterday and until 1:00 today, I am childless.
And it’s kind of awesome.
My husband already had a trip planned for today. So he left at 5am. I got up and am now spending five straight hours getting 60% of my work done for the week because it’s Spring Break and ohmigod how do you work when the kid is home? I mean, without hiring Mr. T.V.?
So yeah, it’s days like today I am kind of happy I only have one. The days of wishing for two are stretching farther and farther apart, especially now that Jordan has found a “sister” who she can spend every waking moment on FaceTime with. Since she’s the only “only” child that we know, it’s nice for her to be able to connect with another kid who is in her boat. It reminds me of when I was a kid and all my friends were onlys: we were each others sisters.
Anyway, the wonder of the only child is the reason I can actually bring you a post today. And all week. So, yeah. I’m happy today. 🙂
And you should be happy too, because I made you another cake roll, one that is perfect for Easter. A Carrot Cake Roll.
I got so much positive response on my Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll, that I decided to make another one. Since Easter is next week, Carrot Cake was the obvious choice. Traditional carrot cake is fun, but carrot cake ROLL is even better (although Carrot Cake Coffee Cake is a close second). Also, I can tempt my husband to eat my goodies, so it’s a double win. (And, since I posted this, I’ve gone on a cake roll rampage. My favorites: Birthday Cake Roll, Peanut Butter Cup Cake Roll, and Strawberry Shortcake Cake Roll.)
I had a lot of comments last time about how people are scared of making cake rolls. I was too – I had had a pan and a recipe for approximately 4 years before I gave in and tried it. And, with a little patience, it’s really SO easy. I thought I would try to do a visual for all of you who want to try, to help illustrate my instructions.
A carrot cake roll is the perfect holiday recipe. I love the cream cheese frosting inside!
{Process photos are so not me. I find them hard, and the lighting sucks. So…don’t judge, mmkay? Scroll to the bottom for a video tutorial!}
First, while your cake is in the oven, lay out a (clean) kitchen towel on your work surface. Cover it with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar (about 1/4 cup). Just make sure the powdered sugar covers the entire space with the cake will lay. This will ensure it doesn’t stick!
When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately overturn it onto your prepared towel. Remove the pan and the foil.
Starting at the short end of the cake, fold the towel over the edge, then gently roll the cake up in the towel. Try to roll it tight.
Once it’s rolled up, let it sit in the towel until it’s completely cooled, about 1-2 hours depending on how warm or cold your kitchen is. While you’re waiting watch the RHOBH reunion, eat some cookies, and make your frosting.
Once the cake is cooled, unroll it carefully. It won’t give you any trouble. Spread the frosting evenly across the cake, being sure to get right up to the long edges. Those will become the two ends of the cake roll once you’re done – you don’t want those pieces to be devoid of frosting!
Then, simply roll it back up, as tight as you can, peeling away the towel as you go. I probably could have used a little more powdered sugar on the towel, but it came off just fine. Wrap it in plastic, and chill it for 30 minutes to one hour, until the filling is firmed up a little. Dust it with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.
See? Easy peasy, just like I promised!
This cake was adapted from the Pumpkin Roll Recipe my mother-in-law is famous for. Pumpkin cake and carrot cake is not that dissimilar, except for the produce inside. The spices are pretty much the same, and well, a cake recipe is a cake recipe. This cake is filled with the traditional carrot cake spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. There’s carrots, of course. I do not like pineapple or raisins in my carrot cake (or, really, ever) but you can totally add some raisins if they float your boat.
And the filling – cream cheese frosting. I mean…is there anything better ever? Some day I want to make a cake of just that: cream cheese frosting. Delightfully rich and sweet. If you like nuts in your carrot cake, I suggest adding a 1/2-1 cup of toasted walnuts or pecans to the filling. Sprinkle them over it before rolling. It will add a delicious crunch to your cake.
Because the filling is so rich, this cake doesn’t need frosting, so I sprinkled it with powdered sugar. That’s what my MIL does with her Pumpkin Cake Roll and it’s the perfect complement. You could also use some toasted coconut…that would be amazing too!
Now that I’ve made you two roll cakes and one set of instructions, you really must try it. No more excuses!
How to make a Carrot Cake Roll – it’s really easy to do!
- You need the right equipment a cake roll pan. You’ll also need a clean kitchen towel, foil, and nonstick cooking spray.
- Don’t under mix the eggs. Beating them a full 5 minutes will ensure your cake is spongey and not too dense.
- Roll it while it’s hot!! Then let it cool completely.
- If it cracks, paste it together with frosting then make an extra batch fo frosting and frost the whole thing!
- You can make this ahead of time and freeze it if you want. Just sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Love carrot cake? How about Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cupcakes, Carrot Cake Pie, Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake, Carrot Cake Rice Krispies Treats, or Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Maple Icing.
Carrot Cake Roll
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 eggs
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 cups shredded carrots about 2 medium carrots
- Powdered sugar to aid in rolling
For the Filling:
- 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a jelly roll (10×15”) pan with foil and spray with cooking spray (I like to use the spray with flour).
- Beat eggs at high speed for 5 minutes, until frothy and dark yellow. Beat in sugar and vanilla extract.
- Whisk together salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour. Stir into wet ingredients just until blended. Stir in carrots.
- Spread in prepared pan. Batter will be in a very thin layer and you will need to use a wooden spoon or spatula to spread it to all the corners of the pan. Bake for 9-11 minutes (mine took 10). **edited to add: ovens vary greatly. It can take up to 15 minutes to get this completely done.** Err on the side over over done vs. under done for best results in rolling.
- While the cake is baking, set a clean kitchen towel out on a large work surface. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar (about 1/4 cup). As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, turn it over on the kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Remove foil carefully.
- Working at the short end, fold the edge of the towel over the cake. Roll tightly, rolling up the cake into the towel. Let cool completely while rolled, at least one hour.
- While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.
- When cake is cool, carefully unroll the towel. Spread the filling on the cake evenly, and re-roll tightly. Chill until it firms up a bit, at least thirty minutes to one hour. Dust with powdered sugar,then slice and serve. Cake can be wrapped in plastic and frozen for up to one month.
Recipe Video
Recipe Nutrition
Click here for more Carrot Cake Recipes!
You may also enjoy these cakes:
Sweets from friends:
Banana Snack Cake from A Kitchen Addiction
Carrot Cake Poke Cake from Something Swanky
Triple Chocolate Poke Cake from Six Sisters’ Stuff
The batter was thinner than the pumpkin roll version. I used already shredded carrots from a bag. They made the cake to chunky. Then during the flip to the towel my roll broke in half. I’m not happy what so ever. I hope it still tastes great.
I’m sorry it broke! Chances are it needed to bake longer. I’ve learned over the years that cake rolls need to be baked to more done rather than underdone or they crack easier. Hopefully you can glue it back together with the frosting! And yes, for best results, shred your own carrots.
Can you use wax paper instead of towel?
I’m sure you can, or parchment!
This is a great recipe as is. However I wanted all the flavors of traditional carrot cake. So into the cream cheese mixture I added 1- 8 oz. crushed pineapples [very well drained] and 1 cup coconut flakes and mixed in the cream cheese. Very big hit. It passed the son in law test and that is huge!
Can you freeze this carrot roll cake?
Yes! I haven’t frozen this one but my MIL’s pumpkin roll was always frozen (this recipe derives from that one). Just wrap it tightly in plastic and freeze until you’re ready to use!
Awesome & easy recipe!
Came out delicious!
I’m glad you liked it!
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