Description
This Christmas Cake Roll features a tender, lightly spiced sponge cake rolled with a fluffy cream cheese filling. Finished with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, it’s the perfect festive dessert for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:
3/4 cup cake flour (or 2/3 cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
4 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
FOR DECORATION:
Powdered sugar for dusting
Fresh cranberries (optional)
Fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
2. Lay a clean kitchen towel on the counter and dust heavily with powdered sugar.
3. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
4. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs for 1 minute until frothy.
5. Add sugar gradually and beat 3–4 minutes until thick and pale.
6. Mix in vanilla extract.
7. Gently fold dry ingredients into the egg mixture.
8. Add the milk and fold just until combined—do not overmix.
9. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
10. Bake 10–12 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched.
11. Immediately loosen edges, flip onto the prepared towel, and peel off parchment.
12. Roll the warm cake tightly in the towel and let cool completely.
13. Prepare the filling: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
14. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; mix until creamy.
15. Unroll cake, spread filling evenly, and reroll without the towel.
16. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
17. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary if desired.
18. Chill 30 minutes before slicing for clean rolls.
Notes
For best results, roll the cake while warm to prevent cracks.
If cracks appear, dust generously with powdered sugar—they become invisible.
Cake can be made 24 hours ahead; refrigerate tightly wrapped.
Freeze up to 2 months; thaw in refrigerator overnight.
Add orange zest to the filling for a citrus twist.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas cake roll, holiday dessert, festive cake, cream cheese roll