This is THE most foolproof pumpkin roll recipe you’ll make! Once you make this simple pumpkin roll, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!

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Finding a recipe for pumpkin roll isn’t difficult if you have access to Pinterest. However, finding a recipe that actually turns out like the picture is a whole different story.

I’ve been using this recipe for years, and the only time I’ve ever screwed it up is when I used the wrong ingredients. I kid you not I re-made it WITH THE WRONG INGREDIENTS three times. And every time I was so frustrated that it didn’t turn out.

What makes this a foolproof Pumpkin Roll recipe?

There are two tricks to making this Foolproof Pumpkin Roll.

1. Wax paper. It’s the key to everything, basically.
2. Pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie mix. Those are two totally different ingredients. If you use pumpkin pie mix in a can, and not plain pumpkin puree, it won’t work. Remember what I said about using the wrong ingredient? Yeah, that was it. Took me making it three times with pumpkin pie mix and it not turning out for me to actually LOOK at the can of pumpkin I was using.

How do you make a foolproof Pumpkin Roll?

The full recipe is below, but I’m gonna show you the step-by-step with pictures here first. If you’ve made this Foolproof Pumpkin Roll before, just skip below to the printable recipe page so it’s easier to read.

Step 1: Make the batter.

Combine the pumpkin, eggs, sugar, and vanilla together in one bowl and mix well. In a separate mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix well. Slowly add in the dry mixture to the wet pumpkin mixture and mix until it’s completely combined. It will be a wet batter.

Step 2: Pour the batter in the pan.

Lightly spray your cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Then line it with wax paper. Let it overlap on the edges a bit to make it easier to get out of the pan when it’s done baking. Use a silicone spatula (or four silicone spatulas…I literally lost mine three times while making this recipe…two of them are still MIA) and spread the batter into the cookie sheet. Smooth it evenly so you don’t have high and low spots. It doesn’t need to be perfect by any means, just try to give is some semblance of being even.

Step 3: Bake it.

Bake it at 350 for 15 minutes exactly. When you take it out of the oven it will look like this. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes, then grab the excess wax paper and lift it out of the pan, and lay it flat on a cooling rack.

Step 4: Roll it up.

Wait ten minutes longer, then roll the pumpkin roll up WITH the wax paper still on it. A ton of recipes will tell you to powder a dish towel and roll it up in that, but that never really works well for me, and makes an ugly nasty dish towel. So, just use the wax paper.

The above picture is what your Foolproof Pumpkin Roll will look like once it’s rolled up in the wax paper. Let it cool completely before unrolling it to spread the cream cheese mixture (it tastes just like cheesecake!!!) on.

Sometimes if I’m in a hurry (no, I didn’t bake this at 1:30 in the morning, why would you ask that?!) I will stick it in the fridge like this for about half an hour and that makes the cooling process go by much quicker.

Step 5: Make the filling.

Mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until it’s smooth. Unroll the pumpkin cake, and spread the icing evenly over the entire surface. Roll the whole pumpkin roll back up now, slowly removing the wax paper as you go.

Step 6: Refrigerate the pumpkin roll.

Your Foolproof Pumpkin Roll needs to sit in the fridge overnight, or for 4-6 hours minimum before serving. I always wrap mine in a fresh piece of wax paper and seal it with a piece or two of scotch tape. It’s not pretty, but it works. When you’re ready to serve it, put it on a tray and slice it into 1″ pieces and enjoy!

How long does a Pumpkin Roll last in the fridge?

I’ve only ever kept mine in the fridge for a few days (if that long) before my family has gobbled the whole thing. As long as it’s kept in a sealed container, you should be fine to keep it in the fridge for a week.

Want to try some other fall recipes?

• Mama’s Pumpkin Pie – this is the best pumpkin pie recipe I’ve had, and I love it so much!
• Pecan Pie French Toast – this is one of my all-time favorite recipes! It’s so rich and easy to make!
• Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole – this is a simple dump and cook recipe that’s a staple on our Thanksgiving table each year!

I can’t wait for you to make this foolproof pumpkin roll recipe! They’re not difficult to make, but they are absolutely delicious! You’ll never buy another store-bought one again!