Pumpkin Roll With Coffee-Caramel Cream

Updated Oct. 1, 2025

Pumpkin Roll With Coffee-Caramel Cream
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. Prop Stylist: Sophia Eleni Pappas.
Total Time
1 hour, plus at least 2 hours’ cooling
Rating
4(579)
Comments
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A roulade is a classic dessert made by rolling a thin cake around a flavorful filling, which creates an inviting swirl once sliced. This roulade starts with a subtly spiced, moist pumpkin cake that is wrapped around a rich filling made with cream cheese, heavy cream, caramel and coffee. The filling is bittersweet and slightly savory, which works nicely with the earthy pumpkin sponge. Make sure to use very finely ground coffee, like what you would use to make a cup of pour-over.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

    For the Cake

    • Unsalted butter, for greasing
    • cups/160 grams all-purpose flour
    • 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¾teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼teaspoon baking soda
    • ½teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1cup/240 grams canned pumpkin purée
    • 3large eggs
    • ½cup/100 grams granulated sugar
    • ½cup/110 grams dark brown sugar
    • 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • Powdered sugar, for dusting

    For the Filling

    • ½cup/100 grams granulated sugar
    • ¼cup/60 milliliters heavy cream
    • 1tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2teaspoons very finely ground coffee
    • 8ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened to room temperature
    • ¼cup/30 grams powdered sugar

    For Serving

    • ½cup/120 milliliters heavy cream
    • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

498 calories; 23 grams fat; 14 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 6 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 67 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 49 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 320 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper, then butter the parchment.

  2. Step 2

    Prepare the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, whisking gently if needed to eliminate any lumps.

  3. Step 3

    Spread the batter onto the prepared sheet in an even layer. (It won’t look very thick.) Bake until the cake is puffed, set and springs back when pressed gently in the center, about 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Meanwhile, set a clean dish towel on a work surface. Dust until evenly coated with powdered sugar.

  5. Step 5

    Remove the cake from the oven and use a paring knife to loosen it from the edges. Immediately flip the cake out onto the prepared towel and peel off the parchment paper. Starting from one of the short edges of the towel, roll the cake and towel up into a spiral, taking care not to compress the cake. Transfer the towel-wrapped cake to a rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

  6. Step 6

    While the cake bakes, prepare the filling: Add 1 tablespoon water to a small saucepan. Add the granulated sugar and bring to a simmer, without stirring, over medium-high heat. Once the sugar starts to turn amber in spots, swirl the pan to help the sugar cook evenly. Continue to cook the sugar mixture, swirling occasionally, until it turns a deep amber color, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove it from the heat and immediately stir in the cream, butter and ground coffee. (Be careful, as the mixture will steam and bubble.)

  7. Step 7

    Cook for another minute or two over medium heat, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy, then carefully pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Let the caramel cool for a few minutes but don’t let it cool completely, as it will harden.

  8. Step 8

    With the mixer on low, add the cream cheese a few pieces at a time until it’s all incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. (Don’t worry if the first few pieces melt a bit when they hit the caramel.) Beat in the powdered sugar. Transfer to a smaller bowl, if you’d like, cover and chill until completely cold, at least 1 hour.

  9. Step 9

    When you’re ready to assemble, whip ½ cup heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the chilled cream cheese mixture.

  10. Step 10

    Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Spread the filling evenly over the cake and then roll it back up without the dish towel. Trim about 1 inch from each end of the cake. Transfer to a serving plate, dust with powdered sugar, if using, and serve immediately. (You can also make the cake in advance and refrigerate up to 24 hours, but wait to dust with powdered sugar until you’re ready to serve.)

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Ratings

4 out of 5
579 user ratings
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Comments

I made the filling only, using espresso grounds, and popped it in the freezer for a couple hours. It was the richest, smoothest, most complex and thoroughly indulgent frozen dessert we have ever served. Caramel Coffee Frozen Mousse. ( I'm sure the pumpkin cake is very good, too.)

Made this as written, using instant espresso, and it was perfect. To be sure none of the filling oozed out the sides, I left 1/2 inch edge when spreading filling. Presentation was beautiful (exactly like photo) and festive. Absolutely delicious!

I followed instructions exactly and my sugar did not turn an amber color. It just hardened after about 5 minutes of simmering. I swirled it just occasionally. What did I do wrong? Thanks

The recipe says you can make the cake up to 24 hours in advance, but does this mean the entire swiss roll? Or, just the cake bit? And if it’s the cake bit, do we put it in the fridge in its kitchen towel-rolled form? Or, can we make the entire swiss roll, filling and all, and store it in the fridge 24 hours in advance?

This is the best pumpkin roll I have ever tasted! Yes, it’s finicky to make the caramel, I almost chose a different recipe after reading the comments others wrote about struggling with it, but wow, this was well worth the work!!! I wonder if warming the cream before stirring it into the caramel might help to prevent the sugar from seizing up. I plan to try that next time. Another change I will try is to allow the roll (that I made a day in advance) to come to room temperature before dusting it with powdered sugar.

The filling didn't work for me, it came out too liquid and leaked all over the kitchen table. It tastes very good though, so I am trying again next week when I have recovered from the disappointment. I think my mistake was with the heavy cream being too thick but if anyone has any recommendation it would be very appreciated!

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