Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting Filling recipe

Looking for a delicious twist on a classic dessert? This Carrot Cake Roll is a delectable blend of spiced carrot cake and the creamiest cream cheese frosting, all rolled up into a delightful swirl. It’s the perfect showstopper for your Easter table or any occasion that calls for a touch of sweetness.

With just the right balance of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, this carrot cake brings a depth of flavor that complements the rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. The secret to this dessert’s success is in the rolling technique, which creates beautiful spirals of flavor that melt in your mouth with every bite.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this Carrot Cake Roll is surprisingly simple to make. With minimal prep time and just a bit of patience while it chills, you’ll have a dessert that looks as impressive as it tastes. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Key Ingredients for a Perfect Carrot Cake Roll

  • All-purpose flour – Forms the base structure of the cake, providing the perfect balance of lightness and stability.
  • Baking powder and baking soda – These leavening agents work together to give the cake its fluffy, light texture.
  • Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves – A quartet of spices that bring warmth, depth, and a hint of complexity to the cake.
  • Eggs – The binding agent that also adds moisture and richness to the cake batter.
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake while also helping to create a tender crumb.
  • Oil – Canola or vegetable oil adds moisture, ensuring a soft, tender cake that rolls easily.
  • Vanilla extract – Enhances all the flavors, adding a sweet, fragrant note.
  • Shredded carrots – The star ingredient! Adds moisture, texture, and a natural sweetness, keeping the cake incredibly soft and flavorful.

The Cream Cheese Frosting: The Best Part!

  • Cold cream cheese – The base of the frosting, bringing that classic tangy flavor.
  • Butter – Adds richness and helps to create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Powdered sugar – Sweetens the frosting and gives it a fluffy consistency.
  • Vanilla extract – Adds a hint of sweetness and enhances the flavor of the frosting.

How to Roll Up This Carrot Cake Perfection

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare your pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
  4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until almost combined, then add the shredded carrots. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched. Immediately roll the hot cake in parchment paper from short end to short end and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
  6. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cold cream cheese until smooth, then gradually adding the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
  7. Carefully unroll the cooled cake, spread the frosting evenly, then re-roll it tightly, removing the parchment as you go.
  8. Wrap the cake roll in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour in the fridge or freezer.
  9. When ready to serve, slice with a hot knife for clean, beautiful pieces.

Tips for the Best Carrot Cake Roll

  • Let the cake cool slightly before spreading the frosting to prevent melting and sticking.
  • Always roll the cake while it’s warm to avoid cracking. If it does crack, don’t worry – the frosting will help hold it together.
  • Use a hot knife for slicing the cake roll. This will ensure clean cuts and neat slices.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Feel free to experiment by adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for a bit of crunch. You can also add a handful of raisins for extra sweetness or substitute half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a richer, more caramel-like flavor. To make it even more indulgent, consider a drizzle of caramel or white chocolate over the top of the cake roll.

Storing Your Carrot Cake Roll

To keep your Carrot Cake Roll fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to a month. When ready to serve, let it thaw at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This method will ensure it stays moist and flavorful, just like the day it was made.

Enjoy every slice of this delightful Carrot Cake Roll, where every bite is a perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and creamy!