Pin It 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.
This cake roll became a hit at my holiday party every year. Decorating it with bright colors and sprinkles really brings out the festive spirit.
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:
- Remove the store-bought cake from its packaging and if necessary trim the edges to form a neat rectangle. Place the cake on a piece of parchment paper. Gently slice off any domed top to level the cake. 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:
- Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream if using. Gently roll the cake from the short end using the parchment paper to help guide it tightly into a log. Wrap the rolled cake in parchment and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (optional for cleaner slicing).
- Decorate:
- Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with different food colorings for sweater patterns. Spread a base layer of frosting over the cake roll. 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!
Pin It My family loves gathering around the table to decorate each slice adding their own creative touch to the ugly sweater designs.
Notes
Get creative with designs use crushed candy canes edible glitter or pretzel sticks. Pair with hot cocoa or a dessert wine for a festive touch.
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.
Pin It This ugly sweater cake roll is the perfect festive dessert that brings fun and flavor together in every bite.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use any type of store-bought cake?
Yes, plain sheet cakes like vanilla, chocolate, or pound cake work well for rolling and filling.
- → How do I prevent the cake from cracking when rolling?
Trimming the cake edges and gently unrolling it to create a memory fold helps minimize cracks during rolling.
- → What fillings pair best with the cake roll?
Light whipped cream sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla extract provides a fluffy, mild complement to the cake.
- → How can I decorate the cake roll with colorful patterns?
Divide frosting, tint with gel food coloring, then pipe zigzags, dots, and lines to mimic playful sweater designs.
- → Is it necessary to refrigerate the cake roll before slicing?
Refrigerating for at least 30 minutes helps the roll set and slices more cleanly.
- → Are there any allergen considerations?
The cake contains dairy, eggs, and wheat; check decorations for soy or nut content if needed.