The flavors of carrot cake are absolutely perfect this time of year. If you’re looking for other delicious carrot cake recipes to try, you’ve got to taste this Carrot Cake Cheesecake, this Carrot Cake Bundt Cake, and these incredible Carrot Cake Cookies.
Carrot Cake Roll Recipe
This festive carrot cake roll is so spectacular, it’s bound to get many oohh’s and aahh’s. Not only does it look gorgeous but it also tastes SO scrumptious and has the best texture. We love to enjoy it in the springtime or at Easter gatherings but it’s actually a really great dessert year-round. The moist cake, warm spices, fresh carrots and fluffy cream cheese frosting simply can’t be beat! I know a cake roll can seem kind of intimating but they aren’t at all. If I can make one then anyone can! I’ll share all my tips, plus step-by-step photos below so you’ll get it perfect every time!
Ingredients Needed
Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients needed for this carrot cake roll. They are all simple baking ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.
Cake
Eggs: Use three large eggs for structure, richness and proper baking. Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cake while adding depth of flavor. Granulated Sugar: For the perfect amount of sweetness. Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warm flavor. Shredded Carrots: To make grating the carrots really fast, use a food processor with the grater attachment. All-Purpose Flour: The best flour to use for a tender crumb. Spices: A warm blend of ground cinnamon, ground ginger and ground nutmeg for that classic carrot cake flavor we love! Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and get perfectly fluffy while baking. Salt: Intensifies all of the delicious flavors.
Cream Cheese Filling
Cream Cheese: An essential ingredient when making the icing for carrot cake. The creaminess and tangy flavor are the most wonderful complement to the moist cake and warm spices. Salted butter: Mixes with the cream cheese for the most delicious filling. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the taste of the frosting. Powdered Sugar: To sweeten the frosting while keeping it smooth.
How to Make a Carrot Cake Roll
Once you see how easy this carrot cake roll is to make, you won’t want to reserve it just for Easter. It’s such a great dessert anytime of the year! Make it for your next baby shower, bridal shower or potluck.
Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting
Assemble
Be Prepared: Read through all of the instructions before making the recipe. This recipe is straightforward but there are quite a few important steps, so it’s a good idea to read through all of them before starting. Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, start with room temperature butter, eggs and cream cheese. Carrots: Peel and grate large carrots using a box grater or food processor. Don’t use pre-grated carrots, as they have less flavor and may be too dry. For Presentation: For a pretty presentation, you may want to slice off a small amount of each end of the cake so you can easily see the swirled roll when serving. Prevent Sticking: It’s important to dust the kitchen towel with powdered sugar before using it to roll up the cake. This prevents the cake from sticking. Wrap in Plastic Wrap: Don’t forget to wrap the cake in plastic wrap while it’s chilling in the fridge. This will prevent it from becoming dry. Clean Slices: Ensuring your cake is nice and chilled will help with getting beautiful clean slices. For super clean slices, be sure to use a very sharp knife and wipe it off between each slice.
In the Refrigerator: If you have some leftover carrot cake roll, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place it in your fridge and it will keep for up to 3 days! In the Freezer: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then wrap in aluminum foil. It will keep for about a month. Write the date on it! Before serving, thaw for about an hour at room temperature. Then, slice and enjoy!
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