Save 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 fun cake roll quickly became a favorite among my family during our holiday gatherings. The whimsical decorations always bring smiles and laughter.
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:
- a Remove the store-bought cake from its packaging and if necessary trim the edges to form a neat rectangle. b Place the cake on a piece of parchment paper. c Gently slice off any domed top to level the cake. d 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:
- a Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. b Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream if using. c Gently roll the cake from the short end using the parchment paper to help guide it tightly into a log. d Wrap the rolled cake in parchment and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (optional for cleaner slicing).
- Decorate:
- a Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with different food colorings for sweater patterns. b Spread a base layer of frosting over the cake roll. c 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 Decorating the cake roll has become a beloved family tradition that brings everyone together, creating joyful memories every holiday season.
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
Nutritional Information
Calories 310 Total Fat 16 g Carbohydrates 39 g Protein 3 g per serving
Save Enjoy this festive cake roll and share your decorated creations with loved ones to brighten the holidays.
Kitchen Guide
- → What type of cake works best for this roll?
Plain store-bought sheet cakes, especially pound cakes, provide the best structure for rolling without cracking.
- → How do I prevent the cake from cracking when rolling?
Rolling the cake while it’s still slightly warm and creating a memory by unrolling and rerolling helps prevent cracks.
- → Can I substitute the filling with a different ingredient?
Yes, whipped cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract offers a light texture, but mascarpone or cream cheese spreads can be used too.
- → What decorations suit this holiday cake roll?
Colored gel frosting piped with festive patterns, mini candies, sprinkles, and edible glitter add a playful, seasonal look.
- → Is refrigeration necessary before slicing?
Chilling the rolled cake helps it hold shape and makes slicing cleaner and easier.