Gingerbread Roll Cake

A Gingerbread Roll Cake is a festive, spiced holiday dessert that combines the warmth of ginger and cinnamon with a light, airy sponge cake rolled around fluffy cinnamon whipped cream. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, this roll cake makes an elegant centerpiece for any Christmas or winter celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Light and airy sponge cake with cozy holiday spices
• Filled with sweet, spiced whipped cream for a creamy contrast
• Beautiful rolled presentation, perfect for holiday tables
• Easier to make than it looks with step-by-step rolling technique
• Can be made ahead and stored for stress-free entertaining
• A lighter alternative to heavy desserts, but still indulgent

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cake:

3 eggs, room temperature
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon melted butter
¼ cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the Filling:

1½ cups heavy cream
⅓ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Prepare the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, then grease and flour both the pan and paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until thickened (about 3 minutes). Mix in molasses, honey, and melted butter.
3. In a separate grease-free bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly add sugar and continue whisking until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold egg whites into the yolk mixture.
5. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon. Fold into the egg mixture carefully to preserve airiness.
6. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for about 11 minutes, until the top springs back when lightly touched.

Roll the Cake

7. Cool cake in the pan for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, heavily dust a clean, damp tea towel with powdered sugar.
8. Turn the cake out onto the towel and peel off parchment. Starting with the short side, roll the cake up with the towel inside. Cool completely while rolled.

Make the Filling

9. In a grease-free mixing bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until firm peaks form.

Assemble the Cake

10. Carefully unroll the cooled cake, peel away the towel, and spread ⅔ of the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface.
11. Roll the cake up again, this time without the towel. Spread remaining filling on top.
12. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon or powdered sugar for garnish.
13. Let sit for a couple of hours before serving to set.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 8–10 slices
• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Bake time: 11 minutes
• Cooling/assembly: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total time: About 2 hours 10 minutes

Variations

• Cream Cheese Filling: Swap whipped cream for a cream cheese frosting.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Add melted chocolate over the finished roll.
• Extra Spice: Add nutmeg or cloves for deeper holiday flavor.
• Festive Garnish: Decorate with sugared cranberries or sprigs of rosemary.
• Mini Rolls: Bake in smaller pans and make individual roll cakes.

Storage/Reheating

• Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, freeze (without topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature. Not suitable for reheating.

FAQs

Why do I roll the cake in a towel?

It helps shape the cake while warm and prevents cracking when you roll it with filling later.

Can I make the cake ahead of time?

Yes, bake and roll the cake a day ahead. Add filling and finish before serving.

What if my cake cracks when rolling?

Don’t worry—filling and topping can help cover cracks, and it will still taste delicious.

Can I use blackstrap molasses?

No, it’s too bitter. Use light or regular molasses for best flavor.

Can I skip the molasses?

Molasses adds classic gingerbread flavor, but you can replace it with more honey.

Can I use stabilized whipped cream?

Yes, this will help the filling hold longer, especially if making ahead.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the towel?

Dust the towel heavily with powdered sugar before rolling.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results.

How long should the cake cool before filling?

Let it cool completely (about 1 hour) before unrolling and adding filling.

Can I add other flavors to the filling?

Yes, try vanilla extract, orange zest, or a splash of rum extract for festive flavor.

Conclusion

The Gingerbread Roll Cake is a festive and elegant dessert that captures the essence of the holidays with its warm spices and creamy filling. Perfect for Christmas gatherings or winter celebrations, this cake is as beautiful as it is delicious—and surprisingly easy to make.

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