Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting

This Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delightful twist on traditional carrot cake, with a soft, spongy texture and a delicious creamy filling. It’s the perfect dessert for special occasions or when you’re craving a sweet treat with a bit of spice. The rolled-up cake combined with rich cream cheese frosting offers the ultimate indulgence, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. Plus, with the added crunch of walnuts, this cake will quickly become a family favorite!

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Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Directions

For the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper extends slightly over the edges for easy removal after baking.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
   In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat the Eggs and Sugar
   In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
4. Add Oil and Vanilla
   Mix in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
   Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until fully combined.
6. Add Carrots and Walnuts
   Gently fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts to the batter.
7. Bake the Cake
   Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Roll the Cake
   While the cake is baking, lay a clean kitchen towel flat on a surface and dust it with powdered sugar. When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and immediately turn it out onto the prepared towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one edge, roll the cake tightly with the towel, and let it cool completely.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Make the Frosting
   In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Cake Roll:

1. Unroll the Cake
   Once the cake has completely cooled, carefully unroll it from the towel.
2. Spread the Frosting
   Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the entire surface of the cake, leaving a small border around the edges.
3. Re-roll the Cake
   Gently roll the cake back up (without the towel) and transfer it to a serving platter.
4. Chill (Optional)
   For best results, refrigerate the cake roll for about 30 minutes before slicing to allow the frosting to set.

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Tips for Success:

• Shredding Carrots: Be sure to use finely grated carrots to ensure a smooth texture in the cake. You can use a box grater or a food processor for quick work.
• Cake Rolling Tip: When you roll the cake with the towel, do so gently to avoid cracking. The cake is soft, so don’t rush this step.
• Frosting Variations: Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the frosting for an extra flavor boost.
• No Walnuts?: If you’re not a fan of walnuts, you can substitute with other nuts like pecans, or leave them out entirely.
• Storage: Store the carrot cake roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

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Why You’ll Love This Cake:

• Moist and Spicy: The combination of cinnamon, ginger, and fresh carrots gives the cake a warm, spiced flavor that’s perfectly balanced with the rich cream cheese frosting.
• Impressive Look: This cake looks elegant and makes for a fantastic dessert at gatherings or holidays, especially when sliced to reveal the beautiful swirl of frosting inside.
• Light and Fluffy: The cake is light and airy, thanks to the whipped eggs, and has a lovely soft texture that pairs beautifully with the creamy frosting.
• Customizable: You can add raisins, coconut, or more spices to the cake for variations on the classic recipe.

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Conclusion:

The Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting is an irresistible treat that combines the warm, spicy flavors of carrot cake with a rich, creamy filling. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is sure to impress with both its taste and its beautiful presentation. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday, birthday, or any special moment, this dessert will be a hit with your guests!

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