This moist cake roll has the signature gingerbread flavor with the addition of a rich and tangy eggnog cream cheese filling.
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, I did recently share a “gingerbread filled with something” dessert, and yes this is another one. But aside from sharing the flavor of gingerbread and being freaking delicious, they don’t have much else in common.
I’m calling this one a gingerbread cake roll instead of a gingerbread yule log, because… this doesn’t really look like a log. Although, I guess if you squint from a distance it kinda looks like a log covered in fresh snow… oh well. It’s already called a cake roll, can’t take it back now.
I didn’t get a super tight roll on the one I photographed, but I’m actually kind of okay with that because I feel like it’s perfectly imperfect. A little bit loosey goosey, and not packed to the gills – which is how I feel the holidays should be.
A little more laid back, full of festive fun, but not to the degree that you’re stressed out about how much fun you’re supposed to have.
So this is me giving you permission to take some time for yourself and truly enjoy the things that you love. Maybe this cake roll will be the next thing you love. Just sayin’.
The previous yule log recipe I shared was a light, spongey chocolate cake with a light whipped cream filling. I went a slightly different way with this one, and it was totally worth the risk I took to do it.
The idea of a dry and spongey gingerbread kinda made me cringe, so I wanted the cake to be a bit more moist and chewy, with a much richer filling.
We’re filling this one with eggnog and cream cheese, and if you’re picking up anything other than Philadelphia Cream Cheese when you’re at the store, you’re doing it wrong. I never use anything but their 8 oz bricks, which makes it so easy to measure out for this recipe because – surprise!
You’ll need eight ounces for the filling.
I wanted the eggnog and cream cheese flavors to shine, so I don’t consider this filling to be super sweet. Bill tried it, made yummy noises and asked for another piece – and he hates overly sweet stuff, so I think we’re good.
A friend of Bill’s is staying with us, and I gave both of the guys a piece of this as they sat on the living room couch. I kid you not, they had both finished their pieces before I even made it back to the kitchen. And the living room is all of eight feet from the kitchen.
Cream cheese is my go-to ingredient when I want to make an indulgent dessert, because you don’t need to use a lot of it to transform a dish. And truth be told, that goes for savory dishes, too – but we’re not talking about cheese sauces today.
We’re talking about a dessert that will become the star of your holiday tablescape, and it’s not going to take you all day to prep. It’s not even going to take you an hour! [insert raised hands emoji here]
Is there anything more festive than gingerbread? I asked myself that question, and immediately thought, “Well, eggnog…” so, I combined the two. Now it’s 2x as festive.
You’re welcome.
I may have gotten a little carried away with the powdered sugar on top, but it just makes such a nice presentation. And frankly the excess will just fall off naturally when you go to serve it, so you don’t have to get hit with a sugar bomb.
You could leave it off altogether and give it the “naked cake” treatment, but where’s the fun in that? You could get creative and use stencils to make pretty powdered sugar designs on top too, but… well, I’m lazy.
Need more gingerbread to fuel your festive fire?
- [read like a TV show] Previously on Stress Baking: Gingerbread Linzer Cookies with Cranberry Filling, Paleo Gingerbread Bars, Gingerbread Ice Cream
- And frankly, just scroll to the bottom of the linzer cookies recipe and I’ve got a fabulous list from across the web all set for ya!
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Gingerbread Cake Roll with Eggnog Cream Cheese Filling
Equipment
Ingredients
Gingerbread cake:
- 4 eggs, separated and room temperature
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Eggnog filling:
- 8 ounces Philadelphia Original Brick Cream Cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup eggnog
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¾ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Gingerbread cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 10×15 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the large bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks for 1 minute. Add brown sugar and molasses and mix on medium speed until completely combined. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
- Add flour mixture to egg yolk mixture and beat until just combined.
- In another large bowl, whip egg whites until foamy soft peaks form. With the mixer running, slowly add granulated sugar. Once all the sugar is added, increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Using a spatula, gently fold the egg white mixture into the bowl of batter. Take your time and, again, be gentle – you don’t want to eliminate all the air you whipped into them.
- Pour batter onto the prepared pan, gently using a spatula to evenly distribute the batter.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes, or until the cake is spongey and bounces back when touched.
- While it’s baking, lay out a flour sack or kitchen towel on the counter and sprinkle it with a layer of powdered sugar.Tip: I like to use my flour sifter so that it’s a relatively even layer and I don’t miss any spots!
- Let the cake cool for a minute on the baking sheet, then carefully turn it out onto the towel and remove the parchment paper from the bottom.
- Starting from one of the short ends, roll the cake up (rolling the towel with it as you go). Lay the wrapped cake seam side down and let cool completely.
Eggnog cream cheese filling:
- In a large bowl using a stand or hand mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg on medium speed until well combined.
- Slowly add powdered sugar and turn up to medium high speed to completely combine.
Assemble the cake roll:
- Once the cake is completely cooled, carefully unroll it. Using a spatula, add an even layer of the eggnog cream cheese filling to the top of the cake, leaving about ¼″ of space on the edges.
- Gently re-roll the cake and then move it, seam side down, to a serving platter.
- Dust with powdered sugar, slice, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
This post is sponsored by PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese – as always, all opinions are mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Stress Baking possible!
Mary
Followed directions exactly and roll came out perfect! Gingerbread cake is delicious and full of flavor perfect for the holidays. I did add more powdered sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to filling. Thank you for this recipe that will go into the holiday favorite recipes!
Leslie Kiszka
I’m so glad you liked it – your comment made my day!
Carolann
Can I make this a day ahead and fill before serving? If so what is the best way to store the gingerbread do you think?
Leslie Haasch
Absolutely! You can make the whole thing and just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve (just wait to top it with powdered sugar, if you’re going to do that, until just before serving). I actually like it best after a day or two because the flavors really meld together :)
Charity
I love this! We made a traditional buche de noel a couple years ago, but haven’t made another cake roll since. I really should try it again. Thanks for the recipe!
Julie
What a beautiful cake roll! It’s amazing how the simple act of rolling (well, not simple at all, actually!) takes a cake from ordinary to extraordinary. This is absolutely worthy of being the star of any holiday party.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
This sounds AMAZING! Love the combination of gingerbread and eggnog you have going on in this cake!
georgie
OMG! this looks absolutely incredible, I love all the flavour combinations and it is so so pretty!!!
Amy
Oh man! This filling looks killer! I cannot wait to make this. I’m pinning it right now for the holidays!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum, this gingerbread roll looks amazing! That egg nog filling is the perfect touch. This would be such a treat after a holiday party.
Leslie Haasch
Thank you for stopping by!
lauren
Giiiiiiiirrrl, this is RIGHT up my alley! I am gingerbread OBSESSED and that cream cheesey eggnog filling is so holiday perfect.
Leslie Haasch
You really are quite gingerbread obsessed. But I understand why, so we can still be friends.
Allison
I’ve always wanted to make a cake roll, and now I will finally do it. That creamy frosting is speaking to me!
Leslie Haasch
It’s calling to you! hah
Anne Lawton
The perfect dessert for the holidays! I would eat anything with gingerbread and that filling just makes it even better.
Leslie Haasch
Gingerbread is such a good holiday flavor!
Farwin | Love & other Spices
I love the way you write! I love this this roll more than that, lol ! Gingerbread and cream cheese is the perfect combo.
Leslie Haasch
Haha, thank you!
Amanda Mason
Oh my goodness I’m loving the cinnamon, cloves and ginger in this recipe! And with the molasses…yum! And I love that this is “perfectly imperfect”! Sounds like my house! This recipe fits with us perfectly! Perfect holiday dessert!
Gloria
This time of year I cannot get enough “gingerbread” everything. I am eating some cookies my daughter made right now. This cake sounds so good. I would love to serve this for brunch on the weekend.