Pumpkin Roll Cake

Nothing says Fall like Pumpkin EVERYTHING. After having spent some time at the Pumpkin Show in Circleville, OH last weekend and seeing Dr. Liggit's 1900lb pumpkin, I was inspired to make something yummy with pumpkin.

Pumpkin Roll Cake
modified from Cook's Country

For the cake:

1 cup cake flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
5 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

For the frosting:
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups confectioner's sugar
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a rimmed 11.5x7" baking sheet (sometimes called a jelly roll pan) with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on medium until mixture is pale yellow and thick (about 6 minutes). Mix in the pumpkin. Add dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. 

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly in the pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until the cake is firm and springs back when pressed gently. 

While the cake is baking, dust a piece of parchment with confectioner's sugar. 

Remove the cake from the oven and immediately turn it out onto prepared parchment. Peel off the original sheet of parchment. Roll the cake and fresh parchment into a log. Allow to cool for 1 hour. 

While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter and confectioner's sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese in 4 parts, beating until well combined after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and salt. 

To assemble, gently unroll the cake and spread with the frosting, leaving a 1 inch border around the edges.  Tightly re-roll the cake, leaving the parchment behind.  Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.  Uneaten portions should be stored in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap.