Welcome, dear friends! I’m so thrilled you’re here to share in the joy of this Delightful Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting. If you’re anything like me, you appreciate a dessert that’s both nostalgic and eye-catching—perfect for brunch, holiday gatherings, or simply brightening your day. Stick around, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a comforting recipe straight to your inbox!
Overview of Recipe Content
This Carrot Cake Roll is a soft, tender sponge swirled with sweet cream cheese frosting—like carrot cake, but with a beautiful spiral twist. It’s light yet rich, tender yet full of cozy warmth from spices. You’ll love:
- The delicate sponge: not too dense, not too cakey.
- A luscious cream cheese center that’s tangy and sweet.
- A stunning cut that wows guests!
- Seasonal relevance: ideal for springtime gatherings or cozy holiday spreads.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all‑purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting (add these)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Tools Needed
- Jelly roll pan (10×15″)
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Cooling rack and clean kitchen towel
Substitutions & Additions
- Swap walnuts for pecans or omit for nut-free.
- Add raisins or dried cranberries for extra chew.
- Use gluten-free flour blend, 1:1, for GF option.
How to Make Delightful Carrot Cake Roll
- Prep and bake sponge
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment, lightly greased.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, spices, and salt; set aside.
- In a bowl, beat eggs and sugars until light and fluffy (~3 mins), then stir in vanilla.
- Gently fold in dry ingredients, then carrots (and walnuts if using).
- Spread evenly in pan; bake ~12–14 mins until lightly golden and springy.
- Roll while warm
- Turn cake immediately onto a clean towel dusted in powdered sugar. Peel parchment gently.
- Roll sponge with towel from short end; cool completely rolled.
- Prepare frosting
- In mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla; beat until silky.
- Assemble roll
- Unroll cooled sponge; spread an even layer of frosting (leaving a ½″ border).
- Re‑roll carefully, trimming uneven ends for a neat spiral.
- Chill & serve
- Wrap in parchment & chill ~1–2 hrs to set shape. Slice into ½″ pieces—admire the gorgeous spirals!
What to Serve with Delightful Carrot Cake Roll
- A steaming mug of spiced chai or aromatic coffee.
- A light green salad with pear, goat cheese & walnuts for contrast.
- Warm spiced apple cider or a sparkling mimosa for brunch.
Tips for Making It Perfect
- Dust the towel & parchment with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Don’t overbake—aim for a touch of springiness in the center.
- Cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- For cleaner slices, chill before slicing—makes cuts sharper!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Cover and store for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temp 10 mins before serving.
- Freezing: Wrap rolled cake tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
General Information
Carrot cake has European roots, gaining North American love mid‑20th century. The rolled format makes serving so much fun! Perfect for Easter brunch or a spring picnic, it’s a twist on a beloved classic—with elegance and charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake and roll the sponge a day ahead, store in fridge overnight, frost and roll in the morning.
What can I use instead of confectioners’ sugar?
Use a bit of cornstarch with regular sugar, but results may be slightly grainy—best to stick with powdered sugar.
Can I use frozen carrots?
Avoid—they hold too much moisture. Fresh is key for texture and flavor.
How do I make it dairy‑free?
Use plant-based cream cheese and butter alternatives. Keep an eye on sugars for kosher variations.
Conclusion
This Delightful Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting captures the cozy sweetness of carrot cake with a gorgeous spiral twist. Don’t miss my Flourless Coconut Greek Yogurt Cake, Lemon Yogurt Cake, Cocoa Shortbread Cookies, Ultimate Soft & Fluffy Chiffon Cake, or Sweet Potato Rum Carrot Cake Squares on the blog—each one shares comforting vibes and easy elegance. Share your pics on Pinterest or tag me @poulefrecipe—I love seeing your creations! 💛
Interactive Elements
I’d love if you left a review or comment below! Snap a photo, pin it on Pinterest at Poulef Recipes, or tag me for a chance to be featured.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 slice) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 3 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 18 g |
Delightful Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A charming and tender carrot sponge rolled with silky cream cheese frosting—perfect for brunch, holidays, or a sweet treat any day.
Ingredients
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
3 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups finely grated carrots
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a jelly roll pan with greased parchment.
2. Whisk dry ingredients (flour, powder, soda, spices, salt) in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs and sugars until light, then stir in vanilla.
4. Fold in dry mix, then carrots and walnuts.
5. Bake 12–14 minutes until golden and springy.
6. Invert onto powdered sugar-dusted towel, peel off parchment, and roll warm.
7. Beat cream cheese and butter, then sift in powdered sugar and vanilla.
8. Unroll cooled cake, spread frosting, and re-roll.
9. Chill roll 1–2 hours, then slice into spirals.
Notes
Dust the towel and parchment well to prevent sticking.
Don’t overbake for a tender sponge.
Chill before slicing for neater spirals.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 14 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake & Roll
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
