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Home » Fall Recipes

Pumpkin Roll Recipe

A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.
By Tiffany
Modified: Sep 5, 2026 · Published: Feb 6, 2024

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Jump to Recipe

This pumpkin roll recipe is made with a moist, pumpkin-spiced cake, then rolled with a light and fluffy cream cheese filling.

Pumpkin roll on a white surface. One slice is laying flat in front of the cake roll.

This classic pumpkin roll cake recipe is a delicious dessert that’s perfect for the fall season or the holiday season when you’re craving something sweet and comforting.

Want more fall desserts? Check out these fun fall cupcakes and 32 Easy Pumpkin Desserts Made with Canned Pumpkin Purée!

An overhead view of a slice of pumpkin roll on a doily plate with a gold fork

What is a Jelly Roll Cake

A jelly roll, also known as a Swiss roll or a sponge roll, is a type of sponge cake that is rolled with a filling. It’s a delectable dessert that can be made with various flavors of cake and filling, making it a popular choice for different occasions.

Once the cake is baked and still warm, it’s carefully rolled up with a filling of choice. Common fillings include jam, jelly, preserves, whipped cream, or frosting. The rolling process creates a spiral pattern with the filling swirled inside the cake.

After rolling, the jelly roll is often chilled to set the filling and make it easier to slice. It’s then typically served in slices, revealing the beautiful presentation of cake and filling.

Ingredients

  • Large Eggs
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Pumpkin Purée
  • Cream Cheese
  • Cool Whip
  • Powdered Sugar
An opened can of Libby's pumpkin puree with a silver spoon handle sticking out of the top; marble backdrop

How to Make A Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin Roll

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 15″ x 10″ jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper.
  • Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl or electric mixer until thick. Gradually beat in sugar. Add water.
  • Whisk or sift flour, baking powder, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Slowly add the flour mixture to the bowl of wet ingredients. Mix well.
A silver electric mixer with pumpkin roll cake batter
A jelly roll pan with pumpkin cake roll batter
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared jelly roll pan.
  • Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes. As soon as it sets, remove it from the oven. When the top of the cake springs back when lightly touched, it’s done.
A cooked pan of pumpkin jelly roll cake
Cooked pumpkin cake roll on a white cloth
  • Lay a thin cotton kitchen towel, flour sack towel, or cheesecloth down and lightly sprinkle it with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. While it’s still warm, carefully flip the pumpkin roll onto the prepared towel. Remove the parchment paper.
A rolled pumpkin roll inside a white flour sack towel over a marble background
  • Roll the short end of the pumpkin roll with the towel. Let the cake cool to room temperature while rolled, about 30 minutes.

Filling

  • In a medium bowl with a hand mixer or in a stand electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Fold in Cool Whip with a spatula until well blended.
A silver electric mixer with a whisk attachment; the silver bowl filled with white whipped filling
A cooked pumpkin cake roll topped with cream cheese filling sitting on a white flour sack towel
  • Carefully unfold the pumpkin roll after it’s cooled. Spread the cream cheese mixture to the edges of the pumpkin roll. Reroll the cake back up without the cheesecloth and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Storing Leftovers

Refrigeration

Store leftover pumpkin roll cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. The cream cheese filling makes it so it has to be kept in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.

Freezing

Can You Freeze a Pumpkin Roll? Absolutely! Cake actually freezes well.

I recommend slicing the pumpkin roll into individual pieces to make it easier to thaw.

Once the pumpkin roll has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to protect it from freezer burn and moisture loss.

A white platter with pumpkin roll sitting on it lightly covered in powdered sugar over a white and gold towel

Place the wrapped pumpkin roll in a freezer-safe airtight container or resealable plastic bag.

Store the pumpkin roll in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator the night before you’re ready to eat it.

A white platter with pumpkin roll sitting on it lightly covered in powdered sugar over a white and gold towel; a doily white plate with a slice of pumpkin roll on it and a gold fork

A pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling that has gone bad may have texture changes such as excessive dryness, sliminess, or an unpleasant texture. The cream cheese filling may separate or become grainy.

When most food has gone bad, it also develops a sour taste and odor.

More Pumpkin Recipes

  • Iced Pumpkin Bread
  • Libby’s Pumpkin Bars
  • Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
  • Mini Pumpkin Pies
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
  • Pumpkin Cupcakes
  • Pumpkin Pie Bars
  • Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls
Pumpkin roll on a white surface. One slice is laying flat in front of the cake roll.

Pumpkin Roll

Tiffany
This pumpkin roll recipe is made with a moist, pumpkin-spiced cake, then rolled with a light and fluffy cream cheese filling.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Refrigeration Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 306 kcal

Equipment

  • Jelly Roll Pan 10"x15"

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Roll

  • 3 Large Eggs
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 5 tablespoons Water
  • 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Nutmeg
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¾ cup Pumpkin Purée not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1-2 tablespoons Powdered Sugar

Filling

  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup Sugar
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed

Instructions
 

Pumpkin Roll

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉. Line a 15" x 10" jelly roll pan with parchment paper, or lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray and lightly flour.
  • Beat eggs in a large bowl or electric mixer until thick. Gradually beat in the sugar. Add water and pumpkin purée.
  • Whisk or sift flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Slowly add dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients. Mix well.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared jelly roll pan.
  • Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes. As soon as it sets, remove from the oven. Lightly touch the top of the pumpkin roll, and if it springs back, it's done.
  • Lay a thin towel or cheesecloth down and lightly sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar. While it's still warm, carefully flip the pumpkin roll onto the towel. Remove the parchment paper. Roll the short end of the pumpkin roll with the towel. Allow it to cool while rolled for about 30 minutes.

Filling

  • In a large bowl with a hand mixer or an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until fluffy. Fold in Cool Whip with a spatula until well blended.
  • Carefully unfold the pumpkin roll after it's cooled. Spread the cream cheese filling to the edges of the pumpkin roll. Roll the pumpkin roll back up and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 5gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 209mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 3278IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 1mg

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A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.

Hello! I'm Tiffany.

I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and I live in the great Midwest. I like to feature high-protein recipes, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with your favorite household appliances.

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