Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

#### For the Cream Cheese Filling:
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

### How to Make Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

#### Step 1: Prepare the Cake Roll
1. **Preheat your oven**: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, allowing a bit of overhang on the sides for easy removal later.

2. **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves (if using), and salt. Set this bowl aside.

3. **Whisk the wet ingredients**: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until everything is well combined.

4. **Incorporate the carrots**: Stir the grated carrots into the wet mixture. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in as well.

5. **Combine the dry and wet ingredients**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth and well-combined.

6. **Bake the cake**: Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it, as overbaking can cause the cake to become dry.

#### Step 2: Roll the Cake
1. **Cool the cake**: As soon as the cake is done, remove it from the oven and carefully lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place the cake on a clean kitchen towel, and while it’s still hot, roll it up gently (with the towel inside) into a tight log. Let it cool completely on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.

#### Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
1. **Mix the filling**: While the cake is cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling. In a medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

2. **Add powdered sugar and flavorings**: Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon (if using) until well combined.

#### Step 4: Assemble the Carrot Cake Roll
1. **Unroll the cake**: Once the cake has cooled completely, carefully unroll it from the towel. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese filling over the entire surface of the cake, leaving a small border around the edges.

2. **Re-roll the cake**: Gently roll the cake back up, this time without the towel, making sure the cream cheese filling stays inside the roll. If you find that the cake is cracking, don’t worry—it adds to the rustic charm of this dessert.

#### Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
1. **Chill the roll**: Once the roll is assembled, place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up.

2. **Slice and serve**: When ready to serve, slice the cake roll into 1-inch wide slices. If desired, you can dust the top with powdered sugar or garnish with additional chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.

### Tips for the Perfect Carrot Cake Roll

– **Grate the carrots finely**: Finely grated carrots will give the cake a smoother texture, helping it roll up without cracking.
– **Don’t overbake**: Keep a close eye on the cake while baking. Overbaking can lead to a dry cake, making it harder to roll.
– **Make it ahead**: This carrot cake roll can be made a day or two ahead. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and slice it right before serving for a fresh, chilled treat.
– **Customize the filling**: Add a little orange zest, a splash of maple syrup, or even some coconut flakes to the cream cheese filling for added flavor.

### Why You Should Make This Carrot Cake Roll

– **A Perfect Balance of Flavors**: The combination of the warm spices in the carrot cake and the tangy, creamy filling is simply irresistible. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at any celebration, from birthdays to holiday gatherings.

– **Impressive Yet Easy**: The rolled shape gives this cake an impressive presentation, but don’t let that fool you—it’s incredibly easy to make! You don’t need any fancy cake-decorating skills, yet the result looks beautiful and elegant.

– **Nutrient-Rich**: The addition of carrots adds a touch of sweetness while boosting the nutrient content with **vitamins** and **fiber**, making this a more wholesome option compared to other desserts.

### Final Thoughts

**Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling** is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, offering a wonderful balance of flavors and textures that will leave everyone asking for more. It’s a beautiful, easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or just indulging in a weekend treat, this cake roll is sure to become a family favorite.

So, grab those carrots and cream cheese, and get ready to make the most delicious, show-stopping dessert—your taste buds will thank you!