This pumpkin roll recipe is a soft and sweet pumpkin cake rolled up with the most luscious elderberry cream cheese filling for the BEST pumpkin dessert ever!
It’s a quintessential fall classic that looks like it came straight out of a bakery — it’s that stunning. But it can also be super intimidating. To be completely honest, pumpkin rolls have always looked way too complicated for me. As a mom of five kiddos, I love simple and easy recipes. I don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen.
I’m Lindsey, founder and owner of Elderberry Queen. I love cooking and baking for my family, and my passion is finding ways to spice up everyday recipes with my elderberry syrup.
Yes! I add it to classic recipes. I make incredible glazes and icings and even use them to make homemade cough drops and elderberry honey lollipops. So, let’s just say most recipes don’t scare me off.
I grew up watching my grandma and mom making this delightful pumpkin-spiced treat, and it was crazy messy and took forever. At least it felt like that as a kid because I was ready for a slice as soon as they started baking! I remember powdered sugar everywhere, rolled-up messy tea towels in the freezer and sticky floors. No, thank you. Doesn’t sound fun at all.
As an adult, I tried making a pumpkin roll once. It was a huge flop, and I had no intention of trying again.
But — I love a good challenge, so I gave it one more whirl (a few years later). I’m so glad I did because I discovered a SIMPLE technique that made this recipe mind-blowingly easy and not messy at all. Ready?
The Secret to Rolling a Pumpkin Roll
Let’s be real for just a second. It’s not whipping up the cake batter or the cream cheese frosting that makes this classic recipe so hard — it’s the rolling. You feel like you need to be a pro to not have a cracked, goopy mess on your hands.
But that’s not the case at all. Guys, there’s an EASIER & BETTER way.
Here’s the secret I’ve discovered: parchment paper!
Now, you can skip the:
- Powdered sugar-covered tea towels on your counter or in your fridge
- Huge sticky mess to clean up in between all the steps
- Sticky floors (and feet) from all the powdered sugar
All you need to do is lay parchment paper down on your jelly roll pan, pour your cake batter on top, bake, take it out of the oven and roll it with that same parchment paper. Once it’s cooled, spread it with my dreamy elderberry cream cheese and you’ve got the best fall pumpkin-spiced dessert.
Mind-blown! It turns out beautiful. Every. Single. Time.
The organic elderberry syrup gives the cream cheese frosting a light purple hue that will make your pumpkin roll stand out from the crowd. Here’s why I’ve incorporated elderberry syrup into this fall classic.
Organic Elderberry Syrup & Fall Baking
As the owner of Elderberry Queen, I have the privilege of crafting homemade elderberry syrup, a natural immune-boosting elixir that has been a staple in my family’s routine for years.
As the leaves turn fiery shades of red and gold and the crisp autumn air fills our homes with coziness, it's the perfect time to infuse your baking with a wellness touch.
Incorporating elderberry syrup into my fall baking endeavors has become a cherished tradition. Whether I'm whipping up a batch of spiced pumpkin muffins or baking an old-fashioned cherry pie, a spoonful of elderberry syrup often finds its way into the mix.
This adds a unique, slightly tart sweetness to my recipes and infuses them with the potential immune-boosting benefits that elderberries are renowned for.
It's heartwarming knowing that the treats I’m making for my family are more than just delicious — they’re also contributing to their health during the flu season.
For those curious about how to infuse their fall baking with the magic of elderberry syrup, fear not! I’ve created a recipe blog just for you. It’s full of super easy recipes designed to keep you and your family healthy year-round.
Since this pumpkin roll recipe calls for elderberry syrup, be sure to order yours here so you’re ready to go. Don’t worry, my recipe is made with real ingredients and none of those junk fillers. You’ll be all set! Here are some reasons why you and your family will love this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Roll Recipe
Just in case you need a quick reminder of why you’ll love this pumpkin roll recipe before you start collecting your ingredients, here’s a recap.
You’ll love this recipe because:
Delicious Fall Flavors: My pumpkin roll recipe captures the essence of fall with its warm, spicy and comforting flavors.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions: I’ve designed this recipe with simplicity in mind. Whether you're an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, these step-by-step instructions, clear ingredient lists and helpful tips ensure you can confidently recreate this pumpkin roll at home.
Healthy and Nourishing: What sets our pumpkin roll apart is the use of organic elderberry syrup, which not only adds flavor but also provides a dose of antioxidants and vitamins, making this dessert as wholesome as it is delicious.
Impressive Presentation: Whether you're baking for a family gathering, a holiday spread or simply indulging yourself, this pumpkin roll's beautiful spiral design is sure to impress. It's a dessert that looks as good as it tastes, making it the perfect centerpiece for your fall table or a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
Convinced yet? Good. Time to grab your ingredients!
Pumpkin Roll Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this gorgeous fall dessert.
FOR THE CAKE:
- Oil for greasing pan
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
FOR THE ELDERBERRY CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
- 1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons organic elderberry syrup
You’ll also need a mixer, two bowls, parchment paper, a jelly roll pan and a spatula. Let’s get started!
Pumpkin Roll With Elderberry Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then line the bottom of your jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Be sure to leave a little paper hanging over the edges so it’s easy to lift the cake from the pan once it’s done baking. Lightly grease the pan and parchment paper with avocado oil or coconut oil.
Now it’s time to whip up the batter! In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, put the eggs and sugar in a separate large bowl and mix on medium until thick. Then, beat in the pumpkin puree.
Now you can add your flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture and stir with a spatula. No beating necessary!
Next, spread the cake batter on the greased parchment paper and smooth it into an even layer. Now you’ll bake it for 10-15 minutes.
When the cake is done, immediately lift it from the pan, sift or simply sprinkle a thin layer of powdered sugar on top and roll it up inside the parchment paper. This is my secret technique! It makes things so much easier and less messy.
No tea towels, no sugar all over the place. It also helps with cracking because there’s no towel to stick to! Place your rolled pumpkin cake on top of a wire cooling rack (it takes about an hour to completely cool), or you can also set it in the freezer (it only takes about 30 minutes). I tend to put mine in the freezer because I’m not very patient when it comes to dessert, haha!
Now it’s time to make the elderberry cream cheese filling!
In a mixer on medium-high speed, whip the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat a little longer until fluffy. Then, drizzle in the organic elderberry syrup for that perfect purple hue.
Once the cake’s cooled completely, unroll the pumpkin cake and throw away the parchment paper. If your cake is still warm, don’t worry — the filling will be fine on the counter for at least half an hour. If your cake is taking longer than that to cool, just set your bowl of frosting in the fridge until you’re it’s ready.
Now, you can spread the cream cheese filling evenly inside. Then, roll it back up as tight as possible, wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge.
I like to refrigerate my pumpkin roll overnight because I love the cream cheese filling cold and dense. But you’ll have beautiful slices even after two hours in the fridge.
Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar on top before serving for a finished touch! I cut the roll into about 1-inch slices for serving.
You’re going to love every single bite of this delicious fall favorite.
I’m not teasing when I say this is the BEST and EASIEST pumpkin roll recipe. Plus, it’s made with real, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about. Because dessert can be both delicious and nutritious!
How to Keep Your Pumpkin Roll From Cracking
This is a common issue, and honestly, the answer is pretty simple. The key to keeping your pumpkin roll from cracking is rolling the cake up in the parchment paper as soon as it comes out of the oven. Like right away! It’ll be hot and steamy but also pliable and should roll up pretty easily without one crack.
How Long Is It Good For?
This pumpkin roll stays good in the fridge for 4-5 days. If I make it ahead of time, I simply freeze it and take it out the day before I’m ready to serve it to let it thaw. It will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months easily.
More Easy Fall Recipes
Fall recipes don’t need to be hard. They also don’t need to be full of sugar, either. Fall is a season rich with flavors, and there are countless opportunities to create nourishing, heartwarming dishes that your family and friends will adore.
✨ Here are a few I think you’ll love:
With my recipes, you'll find that fall cooking and baking can be both simple and sensational.
Here's to a season of delicious memories, and may your kitchen be filled with the sweet scents of fall. 🍁 Happy baking!
>>> Tired of the sickness surrounding you and your family this fall? Get healthy and stay healthy with Organic Elderberry Syrup & Elderberry Gummies. Absolute game-changers!
