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.
My family always enjoys how fun and colorful this cake roll looks during holiday gatherings, making every celebration a little more special.
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 This cake has become a favorite during our holiday dessert table, bringing joy and fun colors that the whole family admires.
Notes
Get creative with designs: use crushed candy canes, edible glitter, or pretzel sticks.
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.
Save This whimsical cake roll is sure to brighten any holiday table and delight guests with its fun designs and flavors.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of cake works best for this roll?
A sturdy, store-bought plain sheet cake like vanilla or chocolate works best, with pound cake as a particularly good option.
- → How do I make the whipped cream filling stiff enough?
Use cold heavy cream and whip it with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form for a stable filling.
- → What’s the best way to create the sweater patterns?
Divide frosting into bowls, tint each with gel food coloring, and use piping bags or zip-top bags with snipped corners to pipe zigzags, dots, and lines.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, refrigerate the rolled cake wrapped in parchment for at least 30 minutes which helps with cleaner slicing and flavor melding.
- → Any decoration tips for a festive look?
Use holiday sprinkles, mini candies, edible glitter, and crushed candy canes to add playful, colorful details to your designs.