This Carrot Cake Roll is an elegant twist on the classic homemade carrot cake, featuring a soft, tender sponge filled with warm cinnamon and fragrant spices, then rolled around a rich and silky cream cheese filling. Every slice reveals a beautiful spiral of moist carrot cake and creamy frosting, creating a bakery-style dessert that’s as impressive as it is delicious.
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
Made with freshly shredded carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of ginger, this cake has all the comforting flavors of traditional carrot cake in a lighter, easy-to-serve presentation. The smooth cream cheese filling adds a delicious tangy contrast, while optional walnuts and raisins provide extra texture and flavor.
Why This Carrot Cake Roll Is So Special
- Perfectly Spiced Cake: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg create the warm, comforting flavor of classic carrot cake.
- Soft and Moist Texture: Freshly shredded carrots help keep the cake tender and flavorful.
- Creamy Cheesecake-Style Filling: Cream cheese and butter create a smooth, rich filling that balances the sweetness.
- Beautiful Spiral Design: Each slice features an elegant swirl that looks professionally made.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Baking: Chilling helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.
- Customizable Ingredients: Add walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to suit your taste.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Carrot Cake Roll is perfect for Easter celebrations, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, family gatherings, afternoon tea, and holiday dessert tables. Its beautiful presentation makes it an excellent choice when you want a homemade dessert that looks elegant without requiring complicated cake decorating.
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
Ingredient Notes
Carrot Cake
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the sponge soft and tender.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds classic warm spice and enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and develop a light texture.
- Ground ginger: Provides a subtle spicy warmth that complements the cinnamon.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Eggs: Create structure and help produce a flexible sponge that rolls easily.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its tender texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and rich caramel-like flavor.
- Canola oil: Keeps the cake soft and moist.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the warm spice flavors.
- Shredded carrots: The star ingredient, adding natural sweetness, moisture, and classic carrot cake flavor.
- Ground walnuts: Optional, adding nutty flavor and delicate texture.
- Powdered sugar: Used for dusting and helping prevent sticking while rolling.
Cream Cheese Filling
- Cream cheese: Creates a rich, tangy, and velvety filling.
- Unsalted butter: Adds smoothness and richness.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling while maintaining a silky consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the cream cheese flavor.
- Raisins: Optional, providing little bursts of natural sweetness.
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
Tips for the Best Carrot Cake Roll
- Do Not Overbake: Check the cake after 10 minutes. A dry sponge is more likely to crack when rolled.
- Roll While Warm: Carefully roll the cake immediately after baking while it is still flexible.
- Use Parchment Paper: Makes removing and rolling the cake much easier.
- Shred Carrots Finely: Finely shredded carrots distribute evenly and help maintain a tender texture.
- Use Softened Filling Ingredients: Room-temperature cream cheese and butter create a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Chill Before Slicing: Refrigerate the assembled cake for a few hours so the filling firms up and the spiral holds its shape.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Powdered Sugar Finish: Dust the outside generously with powdered sugar.
- Extra Cream Cheese Frosting: Pipe decorative swirls along the top for a bakery-style presentation.
- Walnut Garnish: Sprinkle finely chopped walnuts over the filling or around the serving plate.
- Caramel Drizzle: Add a little caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: Serve alongside cheesecake bars, cookies, and other seasonal desserts.
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
A Must Try
This Carrot Cake Roll combines everything you love about traditional carrot cake with the elegance of a beautifully layered dessert. Its moist, warmly spiced sponge, silky cream cheese filling, and delicate spiral make every slice irresistible. Whether you’re preparing an Easter dessert, hosting a holiday gathering, or simply craving a homemade bakery-style treat, this carrot cake roll is guaranteed to impress.
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
This Carrot Cake Roll is soft, moist, and warmly spiced, wrapped around a silky cream cheese filling that makes every bite irresistible! 🥕🍰
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Roll
- 94 g all-purpose flour ¾ cup
- 4 g ground cinnamon 1½ tsp
- 4 g baking powder 1 tsp
- 1 g ground ginger ½ tsp
- 3 g salt ½ tsp
- - 0.5 g ground nutmeg ¼ tsp
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g granulated white sugar ½ cup
- 55 g brown sugar ¼ cup
- 30 ml canola oil 2 tbsp
- 5 ml vanilla extract 1 tsp
- 220 g shredded carrots 2 cups, about 3 medium carrots
- 35 g walnuts very finely ground (⅓ cup), optional
- 30 g powdered sugar ¼ cup, for rolling
Cream Cheese Filling
- 120 g powdered sugar sifted (1 cup)
- 227 g cream cheese room temperature (8 oz)
- 85 g unsalted butter softened (6 tbsp)
- 5 ml vanilla extract 1 tsp
- 75 g raisins ½ cup, optional
Instructions
Carrot Cake Roll
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, allowing about 1 inch to extend beyond the sides. This extra parchment will make it much easier to lift the cake out once baked.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, and nutmeg until evenly distributed.
- In another large bowl, whisk the eggs with both sugars for about 1 minute, until nicely blended. Add the oil, vanilla, finely ground walnuts, and shredded carrots. Whisk gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Using a rubber spatula, gradually fold the dry ingredients into the carrot mixture. Stir gently, just until the flour disappears and the batter comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer, making sure it reaches the corners. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until the surface springs back when gently touched.
- Remove the cake from the oven and carefully transfer it to a flat work surface. While it is still hot, gently roll it up from one short end to the other. Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a wire rack and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the frosting is silky and lump-free, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl whenever needed.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, carefully unroll it onto a flat surface. Allow the ends to remain slightly curled, as this will make rolling it back up easier.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake, leaving approximately a 1-inch border around all four edges. If you like a little extra texture and sweetness, scatter raisins or chocolate chips over the frosting.
- Starting at the same short end, gently roll the cake back up, keeping the filling tucked neatly inside. Slowly remove the parchment paper as you roll.
- Wrap the finished carrot cake roll securely in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for a few hours. This resting time helps the filling firm up and makes the cake much easier to slice.
- When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap and carefully transfer the roll to a serving platter. Dust the outside generously with powdered sugar, slice into portions, and enjoy.
Notes and Helpful Tips
- Line your pan with parchment paper to make removing the cake simple and effortless.
- Keep a close eye on the baking time. An overbaked cake becomes dry and is much more likely to crack. Begin checking after 10 minutes, and remove it once the surface springs back when gently touched.
- Roll the cake while it is still hot. Allowing it to cool before its first roll can make it more difficult to shape without cracking.
- If using a clean kitchen towel instead of parchment paper, a light dusting of powdered sugar can help prevent the cake from sticking as you roll it.
A Few More Kitchen Tips
- Always roll the cake while it is warm to help it hold its shape.
- If small cracks appear, do not worry. Use a little frosting to hold the cake together, then prepare some extra frosting to cover the outside if needed.
- If you do not have a jelly roll pan, a large sheet pan can be used instead.
- Let both the butter and cream cheese soften to room temperature before preparing the frosting. This makes it much easier to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Lightly coat the parchment paper
Easy Homemade Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling