If fall had a flavor, this Creamy Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake would be it. Soft, sweet, warmly spiced, and filled with a silky cream filling, this cake captures everything cozy about autumn. Whether you’re looking for easy desserts to make at home, new fall cake recipes, or creative ways to use spice cake mix and pumpkin, this dessert brings together convenience and homemade flavor in the most delicious way.

A pumpkin roll cake might look fancy and complicated, but this version is shockingly simple—thanks to the magic of a box spice cake mix. With the added richness of pumpkin purée, warm spices, and a luscious cream cheese filling, this cake rolls beautifully and slices like a bakery-quality dessert. If you love spice cake, pumpkin desserts, or impressive holiday sweets, this recipe is about to become a fall favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake

✔ Uses simple, accessible ingredients

This recipe transforms a humble box spice cake mix into a stunning dessert worthy of holidays, parties, or cozy gatherings.

✔ Perfect fall flavor

Pumpkin adds moisture and richness while the spices bring warmth—creating the ideal flavor balance.

✔ Bakery-style dessert made easy

Even if you’ve never rolled a cake before, this method guarantees a soft, flexible cake that won’t crack.

✔ Make-ahead friendly

Roll cakes taste even better after chilling, making this one of the best easy dessert recipes for entertaining.

✔ Works for every skill level

Whether you’re new to homemade cake recipes or a baking expert, this roll cake is simple, quick, and absolutely delicious.

Creamy Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake

This Creamy Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake is the perfect fall dessert — soft, moist, warmly spiced, and filled with a silky cream cheese filling. Made with a simple spice cake mix and pumpkin, this recipe creates a beautiful bakery-style roll cake with minimal effort. It’s one of the best fall cake recipes, ideal for holidays, gatherings, or easy desserts to make at home.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Chill Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Pumpkin Spice Cake
• 1 box spice cake mix
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting towel
• For the Cream Cheese Filling
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Method

 

1. Prepare the Cake Batter:
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together spice cake mix, pumpkin purée, eggs, oil, water, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Bake the Cake:
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
5. Roll the Warm Cake:
6. Lay a clean kitchen towel on the counter and dust generously with powdered sugar. Immediately invert the hot cake onto the towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper. Starting from the short end, roll the cake up inside the towel. Cool for 20–30 minutes.
7. Make the Filling:
8. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until creamy and fluffy.
9. Fill the Cake:
10. Gently unroll the cooled cake. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cake, leaving a small border at the edges.
11. Re-Roll & Chill:
12. Roll the cake back up (without the towel) and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour for clean slicing.
13. Serve:
14. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing. Serve chilled.

Notes

Avoid Cracks: Rolling the cake while warm prevents breakage.

Don’t Overbake: Keeping the cake moist makes rolling easier.

Filling Variations: Add maple syrup, caramel, or extra cinnamon.

Add-Ins: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips work great.

Storage: Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. Can be frozen for 2 months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dessert uses a mix of boxed convenience and homemade flair—perfect for busy bakers.

For the Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting towel)

For the Creamy Filling

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake

You only need a sheet pan, parchment paper, and a clean kitchen towel for perfect rolling.

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a jelly roll pan (10×15 inches) with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the spice cake mix, pumpkin purée, eggs, oil, water, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and lump-free.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. You don’t want to overbake—keeping it moist makes rolling easier.

Step 3: Prepare the Roll Shape

While the cake is baking, lay out a clean kitchen towel and dust it generously with powdered sugar.
Once baked, immediately turn the cake out onto the towel, carefully remove the parchment, and roll the cake tightly from the short end—towel included.
Let it cool completely (20–30 minutes).

Step 4: Make the Cream Filling

Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy and creamy.

Step 5: Fill the Cake

Once the rolled cake is cool, carefully unroll it. Spread the cream filling evenly over the cake, leaving a small border.
Roll the cake back up—this time without the towel.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake

🔸 Don’t skip the towel method

It prevents cracking and gives the cake the perfect curl.

🔸 Use real pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling

This keeps the texture dense, moist, and perfectly spiced.

🔸 Add nuts or chocolate chips

Pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips make fun fall variations.

🔸 Let it chill

Cold cakes slice cleaner and keep their shape.

🔸 Swap filling flavors

Try maple cream cheese, cinnamon whipped cream, or mascarpone.

Ways to Customize This Dessert

This recipe is perfect as-is, but here are fun twists:

• Spice Cake Recipes Variation: Add cranberries or raisins
• Box Spice Cake Mix Ideas: Use gingerbread mix for winter
• Fall Cake Recipes: Add a caramel drizzle
• Easy Dessert Recipes: Turn into mini roll cake slices
• Dessert Ideas: Serve with vanilla ice cream

This roll cake is versatile, seasonal, and irresistible.

Serving Suggestions

This roll cake is perfect for:

• Thanksgiving dessert
• Fall brunches
• Holiday gatherings
• Potlucks
• Coffee or tea time
• Dessert platters

The warm spices, creamy filling, and pumpkin flavor shine in every slice.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pumpkin Spice Roll Cake is the perfect blend of comfort and elegance. It uses simple pantry ingredients—like spice cake mix and pumpkin—to create a beautiful, bakery-worthy dessert. Whether you’re craving easy desserts to make at home, looking for new cake recipes, or wanting a special fall treat, this recipe checks every box.