Elegant Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

Quick Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe: A Festive Spiral Treat!

Decadent desserts often spark joy, and this red velvet cake roll whispers pure indulgence.

Bakers adore this stunning red velvet cake roll that combines silky cream cheese filling with soft, velvety cake layers.

Rich crimson swirls promise a visual and taste sensation that delights every sweet tooth.

Smooth and elegant, the cake roll brings a touch of sophistication to any gathering.

The delicate texture and vibrant color make this dessert a showstopper at parties or intimate celebrations.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of tender cake and creamy filling that melts in your mouth.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible red velvet masterpiece that transforms an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 263 kcal

Servings: 9

All Ingredients For Red Velvet Cake Roll

For Cake Batter:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cake's delicate texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep red color, opt for high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa for intense taste.
  • Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising power.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, balances sweetness in the cake.
For Liquid Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and provides moisture, use pure cane sugar for best results.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender, choose neutral-flavored oil like canola.
  • Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and adds subtle tanginess, can substitute with milk and vinegar.
  • White Vinegar: Helps activate baking powder and contributes to tender texture.
  • Red Food Coloring: Creates signature vibrant red color, use gel-based coloring for intense hue.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to flavor, choose pure extract over imitation.
For Filling and Decoration:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy filling, use full-fat Philadelphia-style cream cheese.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to filling, ensure it's softened at room temperature.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens filling, sift to remove lumps.

Tools To Roll Red Velvet Cake Roll

  • Electric Mixer: Essential for beating eggs and creating smooth, fluffy cake batter.
  • Jelly Roll Pan (10×15-inch): Specifically designed for creating thin, even cake layers perfect for rolling.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy cake removal.
  • Kitchen Towel: Used for rolling the cake while warm, preventing cracking.
  • Mixing Bowls (Medium and Large): Necessary for separating dry and wet ingredients.
  • Sifter: Helps combine dry ingredients smoothly and remove lumps.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and quickly.
  • Knife: Useful for loosening cake edges and spreading filling.
  • Plastic Wrap: Helps set and store the cake roll.
  • Powdered Sugar Sifter/Strainer: For dusting the final cake with a delicate sugar layer.

Steps To Bake Red Velvet Cake Roll

  • Prep the Baking Surface

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Create a soft, non-stick surface ready for your delicious cake adventure.

  • Whip Up the Fluffy Base

Crack eggs into a mixing bowl and beat them until they become light and airy. Slowly add sugar while continuing to mix, creating a silky smooth foundation for your cake roll.

  • Blend in Color and Flavor

Pour in the vibrant red food coloring, buttermilk, and other liquid ingredients. Gently mix until everything combines into a rich, velvety batter that screams deliciousness.

  • Create the Cake Canvas

Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly with a smooth motion. Make sure every corner gets covered for a perfect cake canvas.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into a preheated oven and let the magic happen. Watch as the cake transforms into a beautiful, springy masterpiece in about 12-15 minutes.

  • Roll and Cool

Immediately after baking, flip the cake onto a sugar-dusted towel. Roll it up carefully, creating the signature spiral shape. Let it cool completely while dreaming of the creamy filling.

  • Craft the Cream Cheese Filling

Whip up a dreamy cream cheese mixture, blending until it’s smooth and irresistibly creamy. This will be the heart of your cake roll’s deliciousness.

  • Assemble and Chill

Unroll the cooled cake, spread the cream cheese filling generously, and roll it back up. Wrap it up and let it chill in the refrigerator to set the flavors and texture.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Dust with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, slice, and dive into your homemade red velvet cake roll. Prepare for a taste explosion that’ll make everyone’s day!

Tips For A Perfect Red Velvet Cake Roll

  • Cake Roll Magic Hacks
  • Moisture Master: Brush the cooled cake with simple syrup before adding filling to keep the roll extra tender and prevent cracking during rolling.
  • Color Boost: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant red color without changing cake batter consistency.
  • Room Temperature Trick: Always use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smoother, more even mixing and better texture.
  • Make-Ahead Wonder: This cake roll can be prepared a day in advance and stored wrapped in the refrigerator, making it perfect for stress-free entertaining.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to create a delicious alternative for those with wheat sensitivities.

How To Serve Red Velvet Cake Roll

  • Sweet Slice of Happiness: Perfect for celebrating birthdays with friends and family, this red velvet cake roll brings joy to any gathering.
  • Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream to enhance the cake's rich, velvety texture and complement its cream cheese filling.
  • Elegant Presentation Tip: Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries around the plate, creating a stunning visual contrast against the deep red cake and adding a subtle fruity freshness to each delightful bite.
  • Coffee Companion Delight: Pair with a hot espresso or creamy cappuccino to balance the cake's sweetness and elevate the overall dessert experience with a sophisticated touch.

Storing Red Velvet Cake Roll Properly

  • Chilled Sanctuary: Store the cake roll wrapped in plastic film inside an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This method maintains moisture and prevents flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Freezing Magic: Slice the cake roll into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen rolls stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Counter Caution: Never leave the cream cheese-filled cake at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Always refrigerate promptly after serving.
  • Make-Ahead Masterpiece: Prepare the cake roll one day in advance and refrigerate. The flavors will meld together, creating an even more delightful dessert experience.
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Elegant Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

Elegant Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Red velvet cake roll delights dessert enthusiasts with its elegant swirl of creamy filling and rich cocoa-kissed cake. Elegant simplicity and Southern charm combine in this classic Swiss roll, inviting you to savor each luxurious slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsps (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp red food coloring
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ¾ cups (210 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsps (30 mL) vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsps (30 mL) buttermilk
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Coat a jelly roll pan with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper, ensuring complete surface coverage for effortless cake removal.
  2. Dry Mixture: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a uniform blend, eliminating potential lumps that could affect cake texture.
  3. Egg Mixture: Whip eggs using an electric mixer until voluminous and pale, gradually adding granulated sugar until light and airy.
  4. Liquid Integration: Incorporate vegetable oil, buttermilk, vinegar, red food coloring, and vanilla extract, blending until harmoniously combined.
  5. Batter Creation: Fold dry ingredients into liquid mixture with a delicate technique, maintaining the batter’s airiness and preventing overmixing.
  6. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and bake until the surface springs back when lightly touched, indicating perfect doneness.
  7. Initial Rolling: Immediately transfer baked cake onto a sugar-dusted kitchen towel, carefully remove parchment paper, and roll the warm cake into a compact cylinder.
  8. Cooling Stage: Allow the rolled cake to cool completely, creating a foundation for the final presentation.
  9. Filling Preparation: Blend softened cream cheese and butter into a silky mixture, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract to create a luxurious filling.
  10. Filling and Final Rolling: Delicately unroll cooled cake, spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving a narrow border, then re-roll with precision to create a tight, elegant spiral.
  11. Finishing Touch: Refrigerate cake roll for at least an hour to set filling, then dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Prevent Cake Cracking: Roll the warm cake in a sugar-dusted towel immediately after baking to prevent splitting and create a smooth, flexible texture.
  • Maintain Moisture Balance: Avoid overmixing the batter to preserve the cake’s delicate airiness and prevent a dense, tough texture.
  • Color Intensity Tip: Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red hue without altering the batter’s consistency compared to liquid food coloring.
  • Filling Stability Trick: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling that spreads easily and sets perfectly.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 263
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 186 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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