Dreamy Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe: Sweet Success Awaits!

Crafting a delightful red velvet cake roll can transform an ordinary afternoon into a spectacular dessert adventure.

Soft, luxurious layers of crimson-hued cake promise pure indulgence with every slice.

Intricate swirls of cream cheese frosting promise decadent moments of pure bliss.

Rich cocoa undertones complement the velvety texture, creating a sensational treat that feels both elegant and comforting.

Mastering this recipe requires patience and a gentle touch, but the results are absolutely worth the effort.

Delicate yet impressive, this cake roll will become your new signature dessert that sparks conversation and delights everyone around the table.

You’ll want to savor each magnificent bite and share the magic with those closest to you.

Why You’ll Crave Red Velvet Cake Roll

• Master Quick Cake Roll: This red velvet cake roll delivers a showstopping dessert that's surprisingly simple to create, perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: With basic pantry staples like eggs, flour, and cocoa powder, you can transform everyday ingredients into an elegant rolled cake that looks professionally made, saving you money and time.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Versatility: Whether you're hosting a birthday celebration, holiday gathering, or weekend family dinner, this cake roll adapts perfectly to any occasion, delighting guests with its beautiful presentation and rich cream cheese filling.
• Stress-Free Make-Ahead Option: Prepare this cake roll in advance and refrigerate, allowing you to relax and enjoy your event without last-minute baking stress while still serving a delectable dessert that looks like it took hours to create.

What’s Inside Red Velvet Cake Roll

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep red color, Dutch-processed cocoa works wonderfully.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind the cake, room temperature eggs work best.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, neutral-flavored oils are preferred.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a soft crumb, can substitute with milk and vinegar.
• White Vinegar: Helps activate baking powder and adds subtle tang.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates the classic red velvet color, gel food coloring gives more vibrant results.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor, pure vanilla extract recommended.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creates a smooth, rich filling, both should be softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the filling's flavor, pure vanilla extract preferred.

Simple Steps To Make Red Velvet Cake Roll

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Surface

Grab a jelly roll pan and get it ready for your cake adventure. Warmly coat the pan with grease, line it with parchment paper, and give the paper another light grease. This trick helps your cake slide out like magic.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this fluffy mixture aside and let’s move on!

Step 3: Whip Up Egg Mixture

Grab your electric mixer and transform those eggs into a dreamy, pale cloud. Beat them on high speed until they become thick and luxurious. Slowly sprinkle in granulated sugar, continuing to mix until everything looks smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Introduce Liquid Magic

• Vegetable oil
• Buttermilk
• White vinegar
• Red food coloring
• Vanilla extract

Mix until everything just comes together – no need for overmixing!

Step 5: Combine Ingredients Gently

Fold your dry ingredient blend into the wet mixture. Use a light touch to keep the batter airy and delicate. Stop mixing when you can’t see any more flour streaks.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly to every corner. Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until the cake springs back when you touch its center – about 12-15 minutes.

Step 7: Roll With Confidence

Prepare a kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Once the cake is done, carefully flip it onto the towel. Peel off the parchment paper and start rolling the cake with the towel from the short end. Create a tight, beautiful spiral and let it cool completely.

Step 8: Craft Cream Cheese Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Mix until the filling becomes wonderfully creamy and spreadable.

Step 9: Assemble Your Cake Roll

Gently unroll the cooled cake. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a small border. Roll the cake back up without the towel, creating a stunning spiral.

Step 10: Chill and Serve

Wrap your cake roll in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and slice into delightful pieces. Enjoy your masterpiece!

Helpful Tips For Red Velvet Cake Roll

• Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the warm cake immediately after baking while it's still flexible, using a sugar-dusted towel to prevent sticking and minimize potential cracks.
• Temperature Control Matters: Allow cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before making the filling, ensuring smooth and creamy texture without lumps.
• Master the Gentle Fold: When combining wet and dry ingredients, use a spatula with light, sweeping motions to maintain air bubbles, which keeps the cake light and tender.
• Color Precision Technique: Use gel food coloring for deeper red color without adding extra liquid that might alter cake consistency, creating vibrant red velvet appearance.
• Refrigeration Hack: Chill the cake roll for at least one hour before serving to help filling set and make slicing cleaner and more precise.

How To Store Red Velvet Cake Roll Easily

• Preserve your delectable red velvet cake roll with smart storage techniques.
• Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate the cake for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and delicious.
• For longer storage, freeze the cake roll whole or in slices for maximum convenience.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.
• Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container to protect it from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Always store the cake roll in the coldest part of your refrigerator for optimal preservation.
• Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate flavor profile.

Red Velvet Cake Roll Pairings That Work

• Savor Sweet Wine Companions: Pair this decadent red velvet cake roll with a chilled moscato or sweet riesling wine, which complement the cake's rich cream cheese and subtle cocoa flavors perfectly.
• Enhance Coffee Enjoyment: Serve alongside a creamy cappuccino or smooth cold brew coffee to balance the cake's sweetness and provide a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
• Elevate Dessert with Beverage Twist: Match the cake roll with a classic cream liqueur like Bailey's Irish Cream or Kahlúa, which adds a luxurious depth and creamy undertone to each delectable bite.
• Refresh with Complementary Drinks: Consider a sparkling strawberry mocktail or raspberry-infused iced tea to cut through the cake's richness and provide a light, fruity counterpoint.

Fun Twists On Red Velvet Cake Roll

• Chocolate Chunk Delight: Fold chopped dark chocolate chunks into the batter for extra richness and surprise pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cake roll.
• Nutty Berry Swirl: Sprinkle crushed toasted almonds and swirl raspberry preserves into the cream cheese filling for a fruity, crunchy enhancement.
• Mocha Magic: Replace some cocoa powder with instant espresso powder and add a coffee-flavored cream cheese filling for a sophisticated adult version of the classic cake roll.
• Tropical Dream: Mix shredded coconut into the batter and incorporate crushed pineapple into the cream cheese filling for a summery, tropical-inspired variation.

Red Velvet Cake Roll Questions Answered

• Why is red food coloring important in red velvet cake roll?

Red food coloring gives the signature vibrant red color that makes red velvet cake distinctive. Without it, the cake would look like a chocolate cake, losing its classic visual appeal and traditional appearance.

• Can I make this cake roll without a jelly roll pan?

While a jelly roll pan is ideal, you can use a similar sized baking sheet with raised edges. The key is having a flat, rectangular pan that allows the cake to bake evenly and be rolled smoothly without breaking.

• What makes the cake roll soft and flexible for rolling?

The combination of beaten eggs, oil, and careful mixing creates a soft, spongy texture. Beating eggs until thick and pale and rolling the cake while still warm helps prevent cracking and ensures a smooth, flexible roll.

• How do I know if I've overmixed the batter?

Overmixing will develop too much gluten, making the cake tough and dense. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated, with no visible streaks of flour remaining in the batter.

Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich red velvet cake roll celebrates classic Southern charm with its elegant swirl of cream cheese frosting and velvety cocoa-infused sponge. Dessert enthusiasts will discover a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors that melt smoothly with each delightful slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor and Color Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Supporting Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) buttermilk
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups (210 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare a jelly roll pan by coating it with non-stick spray and lining with parchment paper, ensuring complete surface coverage for seamless cake removal.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a fine, uniform mixture, eliminating any potential lumps that might disrupt the cake’s texture.
3. Utilize an electric mixer to whip eggs into a voluminous, pale state, gradually incorporating granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy.
4. Gently introduce vegetable oil, buttermilk, vinegar, vibrant red food coloring, and vanilla extract, blending these liquid components until they harmonize seamlessly.
5. Delicately fold dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, using a gentle technique to maintain the batter’s airiness and prevent overmixing.
6. Transfer the crimson batter into the prepared pan, spreading it with precision to create an even layer that will bake uniformly.
7. Bake the cake until its surface springs back when lightly touched, indicating perfect doneness and a delicate, tender crumb.
8. Immediately after baking, transfer the cake onto a sugar-dusted kitchen towel, carefully peeling away the parchment paper and rolling the warm cake into a compact cylinder.
9. Allow the rolled cake to cool completely, creating the foundation for a smooth, elegant presentation.
10. Craft a luxurious cream cheese filling by blending softened cream cheese and butter into a silky mixture, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
11. Unroll the cooled cake with care, spreading the cream cheese filling evenly across its surface, leaving a narrow border to prevent overflow.
12. Re-roll the cake with precision, creating a tight, elegant spiral that showcases the beautiful red interior and creamy filling.
13. Refrigerate the cake roll for at least an hour, allowing the filling to set and the flavors to meld together.
14. Before serving, dust the exterior with a delicate layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant finishing touch that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Chilling the cake roll helps firm up the cream cheese filling, making it easier to slice and serve with clean, neat edges.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing and better incorporation of components.
• Dust the kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar to prevent the delicate cake from sticking during the initial rolling process, which can tear the tender sponge.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the cake’s delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 90mg