Carrot Cake Roll
Thank you for stopping by—because you’re in for a treat that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious! This Carrot Cake Roll is a soft…

Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare pan & oven – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line jelly roll pan with parchment and lightly grease.
- Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Make batter – In another bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and thick. Stir in grated carrots. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts if using.
- Bake – Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake 12–14 minutes, until cake springs back when touched.
- Roll cake – While warm, invert cake onto a towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment. Starting at the short end, roll cake and towel together. Cool completely.
- Make filling – Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Assemble – Carefully unroll cake, spread filling evenly, then gently roll back up without the towel.
- Chill & serve – Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.
- Citrus twist – add orange zest to the filling.
- Extra indulgence – stir shredded coconut into the batter.
- Chocolate lover’s – drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the roll.
- Holiday version – add ginger and cloves for a spicier cake.
Thank you for stopping by—because you’re in for a treat that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious! This Carrot Cake Roll is a soft, spiced sponge cake wrapped around a rich cream cheese filling. It looks bakery-perfect but is surprisingly easy to make at home. Imagine classic carrot cake flavors—warm cinnamon, tender crumb, tangy frosting—rolled into a sliceable dessert that’s as fun to serve as it is to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A stunning presentation without complicated decorating.
- Moist, spiced cake balanced by creamy, tangy filling.
- Can be made ahead—perfect for parties or holidays.
- Lighter texture than traditional layer cake, but just as satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 5 tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar (plus more for dusting)
Tools You’ll Need
- 10×15-inch jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Kitchen towel (clean, lint-free)
- Offset spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare pan & oven – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line jelly roll pan with parchment and lightly grease.
- Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Make batter – In another bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and thick. Stir in grated carrots. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts if using.
- Bake – Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake 12–14 minutes, until cake springs back when touched.
- Roll cake – While warm, invert cake onto a towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment. Starting at the short end, roll cake and towel together. Cool completely.
- Make filling – Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Assemble – Carefully unroll cake, spread filling evenly, then gently roll back up without the towel.
- Chill & serve – Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.
What to Serve With Carrot Cake Roll
- A hot cup of chai tea or coffee ☕
- Fresh fruit on the side
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate leftovers tightly wrapped for up to 4 days.
- Freeze whole roll (wrapped in plastic + foil) for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before serving.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded carrots? It’s better to grate fresh carrots—they’re finer, moister, and blend better into the batter.
My cake cracked while rolling—what now? Don’t worry! The filling acts as glue, and powdered sugar dusting hides imperfections.
Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! This roll actually tastes better after chilling overnight.
Conclusion
This Carrot Cake Roll is everything you love about classic carrot cake wrapped into an elegant, sliceable dessert. With its spiced sponge, creamy filling, and impressive presentation, it’s sure to be a favorite for Easter, birthdays, or any special occasion.
If you loved this, try:
- Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling
- Lemon Swiss Roll Cake
- Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Nutritional Information (per slice, approx. based on 10 servings)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 27g
Tips for Success
- Roll the cake while it’s still warm—this prevents cracking.
- Don’t overbake or the cake will be dry and hard to roll.
- Use finely grated carrots for even texture.
- Refrigerate before slicing for clean cuts.
Variations
- Citrus twist – add orange zest to the filling.
- Extra indulgence – stir shredded coconut into the batter.
- Chocolate lover’s – drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the roll.
- Holiday version – add ginger and cloves for a spicier cake.
