Save It A festive, whimsical cake roll inspired by ugly holiday sweaters, made easy with store-bought cake and playful decorations. Perfect for parties or a cheerful dessert table.
This cake roll quickly became a holiday favorite in my family for its fun design and simple preparation.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 large store-bought plain sheet cake (approx. 9x13 inches, vanilla or chocolate)
- Filling: 1 cup heavy cream, cold 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Decorations: 1 1/2 cups ready-to-spread vanilla or chocolate frosting Assorted colored gel food coloring Assorted holiday sprinkles, mini candies, and edible decorations 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cake:
- Remove the store-bought cake from its packaging and, if necessary, trim the edges to form a neat rectangle. Place the cake on a piece of parchment paper. Gently slice off any domed top to level the cake. With the short side facing you, carefully roll the cake (with parchment) into a log, then unroll to create a memory for easier rolling.
- Assemble the Roll:
- Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream, if using. Gently roll the cake from the short end, using the parchment paper to help guide it tightly into a log. Wrap the rolled cake in parchment and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (optional for cleaner slicing).
- Decorate:
- Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with different food colorings for sweater patterns. Spread a base layer of frosting over the cake roll. Use piping bags or zip-top bags with snipped corners to pipe ugly sweater designs zigzags, dots, lines, and whimsical shapes. Add sprinkles, candies, and edible decorations for a playful look.
- Slice and Serve:
- Cut the cake roll into 1-inch slices and enjoy!
Save It This recipe has brought so much joy and laughter to our holiday gatherings.
Notes
Get creative with designs use crushed candy canes edible glitter or pretzel sticks. Pair with hot cocoa or a dessert wine for a festive touch.
Required Tools
Serrated knife Parchment paper Mixing bowls Electric mixer or whisk Offset spatula or butter knife Piping bags or zip-top bags
Allergen Information
Contains dairy, eggs, and wheat (gluten). May contain soy and nuts depending on cake and decorations&check all labels for allergens.
Save It This cake roll is an easy and festive dessert that brightens up any holiday table.
Recipe FAQs
- → What kind of cake works best for this roll?
Plain store-bought sheet cakes like vanilla or chocolate work well. Pound cake is sturdy and easy to roll without cracking.
- → How do I create the sweater designs on the cake?
Divide frosting into bowls, tint with gel colors, and pipe patterns such as zigzags and dots using piping bags or zip-top bags with snipped corners.
- → Can I prepare this cake in advance?
Yes, after assembling and decorating, refrigerate the roll wrapped in parchment to help it set and improve slicing.
- → What can I use for filling inside the cake roll?
A whipped cream filling sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla extract provides a light, creamy texture perfect for this roll.
- → Are there any tips for handling the cake when rolling?
Slice off any uneven dome, roll the cake gently with parchment paper to form a log, then unroll before adding filling to create a memory for easier rolling.