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The Carrot Cake Roll stands as a perfect choice for anyone who prefers traditional carrot cake with an eye-catching presentation. Soft and moist carrot cake with delicate sweetness and spiced flavor becomes a delightful wrap for cream cheese frosting.
The best part? The home preparation of this bakery-quality dessert proves to be simpler than expected. This cake roll serves as an ideal treat for Easter celebrations or spring parties, or any other occasion, because its beautiful appearance matches its delicious taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe uses both a boxed carrot cake mix and fresh grated carrots to create a convenient shortcut.
- A simple cake rolling technique produces an elegant presentation without requiring extensive additional work.
- The combination of sweet cake with spiced flavors pairs perfectly with cold and tangy cream cheese frosting.
- The dessert remains fresh in the refrigerator and produces neat slices when chilled.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box carrot cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the package)
- 1 cup grated carrot
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 5 tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pan & Towel
Set your oven to reach 350°F (175°C) before beginning.
The parchment paper must cover a raised-edge cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) before applying a light layer of nonstick spray.
The kitchen towel needs to be heavily dusted with powdered sugar for later use.
Step 2: Make the Cake
The carrot cake mix should be prepared by following the instructions on its packaging.
Fold in the grated carrot.
Place the batter into the prepared pan and bake it for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center produces a clean result.
Step 3: Roll the Cake
You should roll out the cake immediately after it cools down onto the sugared towel surface.
Peel off the parchment paper.
The towel needs to be folded over the ends before you roll the cake into a log shape (short side to short side).
The cake needs 45–60 minutes of cooling time before you can proceed.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
Mix in vanilla extract.
Beat the mixture of powdered sugar until it becomes spreadable.
Step 5: Assemble & Chill
Unroll the cooled cake carefully.
Spread frosting evenly over the surface.
The cake should be rolled again while placing the seam side facing downwards on a serving plate.
The cake needs to spend at least thirty minutes in the refrigerator before you can slice it.
Tips & Tricks
- Use parchment + sugar: The process of dusting the towel with powdered sugar protects it from sticking.
- Chill before slicing: A short chill makes for cleaner, prettier slices.
- Decorate: The final touch includes dusting with additional powdered sugar and either white chocolate drizzle or chopped nuts as toppings.
- Storage: The cake must be stored in the refrigerator under a cover for a maximum of four days.
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! The flavors of the cake will meld together while the cake becomes easier to slice when refrigerated overnight.
Can I use homemade carrot cake batter?
The batter should have the right consistency for rolling since a heavy batter will prevent easy rolling.
How do I prevent cracks?
The cake needs to be rolled immediately after it cools down, when it remains pliable. The small cracks will be completely hidden by the frosting when it is applied.
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