Birthday Cake Roll

Birthdays can be made extra special with a tasty and colorful birthday cake roll. Not only is it a beautiful and unique way to present a cake, but it’s also delicious and easy to make at home. 

With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a perfectly rolled cake filled with your favorite frosting flavors, sprinkles, and decorations. Here’s how to make a birthday cake roll that’s sure to impress your loved ones and make their celebration even more memorable.

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Why you’ll love a birthday cake roll

Cake rolls are not only visually appealing, but they’re also versatile. You can use any cake or frosting recipe you like, and they’re perfect for any occasion. 

Birthdays are the most popular event to make a cake roll for, but they’re also great for holidays, weddings, baby showers, and more. Plus, they’re easy to customize with different colors, sprinkles, and decorations to fit any theme or occasion.

For example, you could create an easy pumpkin roll cake recipe for an event like Thanksgiving, an Easter cake roll, or even try a Christmas cake roll recipe!

Cake roll tips

Before you begin making your cake roll, here are a few tips to help. 

• First, make sure to measure your ingredients precisely, especially when it comes to flour and sugar.
• Next, line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. 
• Once you bake the cake, remove it immediately from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before rolling it up. 
• We recommend fresh egg whites rather than carton egg whites for the best results.

What’s the difference between a swiss roll and a roulade?

The terms “Swiss roll” and “roulade” are often used interchangeably, but there are a few slight differences. 

A Swiss roll is typically a thin sponge cake that’s filled with cream or jam and rolled up, while a roulade is a thin sheet of cake or pastry that’s rolled up with a filling. 

Roulades can be made with thicker cakes or pastry dough and are often baked in a large sheet, rather than a thin layer.

Ingredients for this cake roll

• ½ c unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ⅔ c sugar
• 6 egg whites
• 2 c flour
• 2 ½ t baking powder
• ½ t salt
• 2 t cake flavoring *
• 1 ¼ c milk
• ¼ c oil
• ¼ c sprinkles
• Frosting:
• ½ c unsalted butter, softened
• 1 c cream cheese, softened
• ½ t salt
• 1 t cake flavoring
• 4 c powdered sugar
• Additional sprinkles for decoration

Helpful tools for this recipe

• 11×17 Sheet pan
• Parchment paper
• Stand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Silicone spatula
• Serving tray
• Sprinkles
• Pastry bag

How to make a birthday cake roll

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Prep a sheet pan that is approximately 11×17 inches in size.  Line with a sheet of parchment (with sides extending at least 2 inches over the short edge), spray with some non-stick spray and sprinkle with a little bit of flour.  Tap off the excess and press the parchment into the corners of the pan.  The weight of the cake batter will keep it in place shortly.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, softened butter, and cream until smooth.  Add in the egg whites, oil, milk, baking powder, salt and cake flavoring.  Mix well. 

Stir in the flour and combine until smooth.  Stop the mixer when needed, scrape down the sides, and mix again until thoroughly combined.

Add in the sprinkles and fold in by hand.  Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Bake in preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until slightly browned and set in the middle.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for approximately 10 minutes.

Once cool enough to touch, but still warm, remove the cake from the pan using the parchment paper.  Starting on one of the shorter ends, fold the end of the parchment over the cake. 

Then using the parchment, gently fold the cake over itself and roll, keeping the parchment as a layer between the cake to prevent sticking.  Rest the cake so that the open edge is on the bottom.  Allow to cool for at least an hour – transferring to the fridge to expedite if desired. 

In the meantime, mix the frosting.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese.  Add in the cake flavoring, salt and powdered sugar.  Combine well – scraping down the sides and mixing again until smooth and creamy. 

Once the cake is cooled throughout, gently unroll the cake.  If it is still warm in the center, reroll and allow it to cool for a bit longer. 

Spread a thin layer of frosting across the surface of the cake.  Reroll the cake from the same short edge you started with – this time, leaving the parchment on the outside of the roll. 

Gently roll the cake and rest the open edge on the bottom.  Rewrap with the parchment and transfer to the fridge to cool for at least an hour.  Place a towel over the bowl of frosting until ready to use again. 

Remove the cake roll from the fridge and place on the serving tray.  Using the remaining frosting, smooth a thin layer over the entire surface.  Then transfer the remaining frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe spiral decorations on top (or similar).  Decorate with the extra sprinkles. 

To serve, use a serrated knife to cut slices about ½ to ¾ of an inch thick.

Do you roll a cake roll while it’s hot or cold?

It’s best to roll a cake roll cake when it’s still warm. However, don’t make the mistake of rolling it up too tightly as it may crack. Use a gentle hand and keep the roll slightly loose, so the filling can move around inside. 

Place the rolled cake in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight, so it can firm up and hold its shape better.

How to decorate your cake roll

There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your cake roll. You can use colored frosting to match a specific theme or event, add sprinkles or edible glitter for a fun touch, or even add fresh fruit or flowers on top. Alternatively, you can use a piping bag to create designs or add lettering.

How to store a cake roll

After you’ve decorated your cake roll, it’s important to store it correctly to keep it fresh and delicious. 

Store it in the fridge for up to three days, but make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. 

You can also freeze your cake roll for up to three months, but make sure to wrap it tightly before placing it in the freezer.

A birthday cake roll is a beautiful and delicious way to celebrate someone you love. With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a cake roll that’s flavorful, colorful, and just as sweet as the occasion. 

As long as you follow the steps carefully and take your time, you’ll be sure to impress your guests with a perfectly rolled cake filled with their favorite flavors and decorations.

Other cake recipes to make next

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Dirt Cake Recipe

Cherry Cheesecake Dump Cake

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake