Ingredients
Method
Prep the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan (or a rimmed baking sheet) with parchment paper and lightly grease it. The parchment will help you roll the cake easily later.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Beat the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix — you want a light, tender cake.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the top springs back lightly when touched.
Roll It Up (While Warm!)
- This is the part that makes people nervous, but it’s easier than it looks. Lay a clean kitchen towel flat and sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar.
- While the cake is still warm, carefully invert it onto the towel, peel off the parchment paper, and roll the cake up with the towel starting from the short end.
- Let it cool completely in the rolled-up shape. This “training roll” prevents cracks when you add the filling.
Make the Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. This rich, tangy filling is what makes the pumpkin roll so addictive.
Fill and Re-Roll
- Once the cake has cooled, carefully unroll it. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the surface, leaving about ½ inch border around the edges.
- Roll it back up (without the towel this time), wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
