Cake rolls, with their soft, sponge-like texture and variety of delectable fillings, are an absolute treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. From the indulgence of chocolate and caramel to the refreshing zing of lemon, cake rolls provide a versatile base for countless creative flavor combinations. This article takes you through a collection of mouthwatering cake roll recipes that range from rich and decadent to light and fruity. Whether you’re hosting a celebration or simply satisfying a sweet craving, these cakes will surely impress.
1. Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll
If you love the combination of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, this Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll is the perfect dessert for you. The rich and moist chocolate cake, rolled up with a creamy filling, and topped with caramel and crunchy pecans, delivers the ultimate indulgence.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale, then mix in melted butter and vanilla.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then stir in chocolate chips and pecans.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Dust the cake with powdered sugar and roll it in a clean kitchen towel to cool.
- For the filling, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.
- Once the cake has cooled, unroll it, spread the filling, drizzle with caramel, and re-roll.
- Garnish with more caramel sauce, pecans, and powdered sugar.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 350 kcal per slice
2. Easy Strawberry Cake Roll
Light, fluffy, and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor, the Easy Strawberry Cake Roll is perfect for anyone who loves fruit-forward desserts. The combination of whipped cream and strawberry jam provides a lovely contrast to the soft cake, making each bite a delightful experience.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, and gently fold into the egg mixture. Add warm milk and mix until combined.
- Spread the batter onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Once cooled, roll the cake in a towel dusted with powdered sugar.
- Whip the cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Unroll the cake, spread with strawberry jam and whipped cream, then roll it back up.
- Chill for 30 minutes, then garnish with fresh strawberries before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 250 kcal per slice
3. Elegant Black Forest Roll Cake
Black Forest Roll Cake takes inspiration from the beloved Black Forest cake, with cherries, whipped cream, and chocolate all rolled up in a tender sponge cake. This dessert is perfect for special occasions, offering a luxurious yet easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- ½ cup dark chocolate shavings
- Whipped cream for decoration
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 10×15-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then fold into the egg mixture.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Roll the cake in a towel dusted with powdered sugar and let it cool.
- Whip the cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Unroll the cake, spread with cherry pie filling, and whipped cream. Re-roll.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and whipped cream. Chill before serving.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 300 kcal per slice
4. Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake
For those who love citrusy desserts, the Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake is a delightful option. The light lemon sponge cake is filled with a luscious lemon cream, offering a refreshing contrast to the richness of other cake rolls.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Lemon Cream Filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup lemon curd
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and pale. Add oil, vanilla, lemon zest, and juice.
- Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold into the yolk mixture.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients and spread the batter in the pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Roll the cake in parchment and let it cool.
- For the lemon cream, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla, then fold in lemon curd.
- Unroll the cooled cake, spread the lemon cream, and re-roll. Dust with powdered sugar or extra lemon curd before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 280 kcal per slice
5. Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake Rolls
For an ultimate indulgence, the Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake Rolls bring together the best of both worlds—cookie dough and ice cream. The soft, chocolatey cake is filled with edible cookie dough, ice cream, and topped with whipped cream for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk
For the Cookie Dough Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
For the Ice Cream:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra mini chocolate chips for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the cake batter, then bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Roll the cake in a towel dusted with powdered sugar and allow it to cool.
- Make the cookie dough filling by creaming together butter, sugars, and vanilla. Stir in flour and chocolate chips.
- Unroll the cooled cake, spread with cookie dough, then re-roll.
- Spread softened vanilla ice cream over the cake, roll it up, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Make the frosting by whipping the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Spread over the frozen cake and garnish with mini chocolate chips.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Freezing Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
6. Pumpkin Cannoli Cake Roll
The Pumpkin Cannoli Cake Roll combines the rich flavors of pumpkin and warm spices with the creamy indulgence of a cannoli filling. This fall-inspired treat is perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn celebration.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a jelly roll pan.
- Whisk together dry ingredients, then beat eggs and sugar until light. Add pumpkin puree and mix in the dry ingredients.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, then roll in a towel to cool.
- Make the cannoli filling by mixing ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
- Once the cake is cool, unroll it, spread with the filling, and re-roll. Chill before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Calories: 320 kcal per slice
Conclusion
From the decadent Gooey Chocolate Caramel Turtle Cake Roll to the light and refreshing Velvet Lemon Cream Roll Cake, these recipes offer a wonderful variety of flavors and textures. Whether you crave a rich, indulgent treat or something with a fruity zing, cake rolls are a versatile and impressive dessert option. With these recipes in hand, you can create the perfect cake roll for any occasion, ensuring your guests will always leave with a smile on their faces.v