Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

Jolly Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe for Festive Joy

Winter’s magical charm comes alive with a spectacular christmas red velvet cake roll that promises pure indulgence.

Soft crimson layers swirl around delicate cream cheese filling, creating a festive masterpiece.

Delightful chocolate undertones dance through each tender bite, making taste buds celebrate.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert brings warmth to holiday gatherings.

Guests will marvel at the intricate spiral design and rich velvety texture.

A simple technique turns an ordinary cake into an extraordinary centerpiece.

You’ll fall in love with every decadent slice that melts softly on your tongue.

Cake Roll Base for Red Velvet Flavor

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for cake structure with soft texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and deep color.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and creates light texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create tender crumb.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and soft.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create tender texture.
  • White Vinegar: Activates baking powder and enhances rise.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor.
  • Red Food Coloring: Creates signature red velvet color.
Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese, Butter: Creates smooth, rich frosting base.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to filling.

Bake A Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll

Step 1: Prepare Dry Mixture

Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl.

Set aside this powdery blend.

Step 2: Whip Egg Base

Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat eggs on medium speed for 5 minutes until they become light and fluffy.

Gradually stream in sugar and oil while mixing.

Step 3: Enhance Liquid Ingredients

Pour in buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.

Blend everything smoothly.

Step 4: Combine Cake Batter

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

Transfer batter to prepared baking sheet and spread evenly.

Step 5: Bake Cake Base

Slide pan into preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake for 13-15 minutes until cake surface bounces back when gently touched.

Step 6: Initial Cake Rolling

Remove cake from oven and immediately lift using parchment paper.

Place on wire rack.

Let steam release for 3 minutes.

Tightly roll cake with parchment paper while still warm.

Allow to cool completely.

Step 7: Create Cream Cheese Filling

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Add:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until creamy.

Refrigerate momentarily.

Step 8: Final Assembly

Carefully unroll cooled cake.

If sticky, let rest for 5 minutes.

Spread cream cheese filling evenly, leaving small margin at one edge.

Roll cake tightly, keeping filling smooth.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Wrap cake roll and refrigerate 1-2 hours to set filling.

Before serving, dust with powdered sugar.

Slice with clean serrated knife, rinsing between cuts for perfect presentation.

Cake Roll Tips With Christmas Red Velvet Style

  • Let the cake cool slightly warm to prevent cracking when rolling the first time. The residual heat helps create a flexible, pliable surface for smooth rolling.
  • Keep your offset spatula constantly in the cream cheese frosting while spreading to avoid lifting cake crumbs into the white filling. This technique ensures a clean, smooth appearance.
  • Chill the cake roll for 1-2 hours before serving to help the filling set and make slicing easier. Overnight freezing works perfectly for firmer texture and cleaner cuts.
  • Use a serrated knife and rinse between cuts to achieve clean, even slices. This method prevents crumbs and ensures each piece looks professionally prepared.
  • Add extra red food coloring if you want a deeper, more vibrant red color. Start with small amounts and mix gradually to reach your desired holiday-perfect shade.

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll: Keep it Festive and Fresh

  • Store the cake roll tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap the cake roll securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months for maximum freshness and flavor.
  • Remove from freezer and let the cake roll thaw in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or enjoy chilled directly from the refrigerator. Dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving to restore its festive appearance.

Soft Sips For Red Velvet Cake Roll

  • Savor Rich Wine Pairing: Select a sweet ruby port or dessert wine that complements the cake's decadent red velvet flavor, balancing the cream cheese frosting's tangy richness.
  • Elevate Coffee Companion: Brew a smooth medium-roast coffee or creamy cappuccino that cuts through the cake's sweetness, providing a warm, comforting contrast to each delightful bite.
  • Match Festive Beverage: Serve with spiced mulled wine or warm cinnamon-infused apple cider, echoing the holiday spirit and enhancing the cake's warm, celebratory essence.
  • Enhance Dessert Sidekick: Pair with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to add an extra layer of creamy indulgence that perfectly rounds out the cake's texture and flavor profile.

Velvety Red Velvet Cake Roll Twists

  • Gluten-Free Velvet Roll: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend flour, ensuring texture remains moist and tender. Add xanthan gum for better binding and structure.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese alternative. Use coconut oil instead of butter in frosting. Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar.
  • Reduced Sugar Version: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugar. Decrease overall sugar content while maintaining cake's rich red velvet flavor profile. Consider using unsweetened applesauce to enhance moisture.
  • Vegan Christmas Roll: Replace eggs with aquafaba or flax eggs. Use plant-based cream cheese made from tofu or nuts. Swap regular food coloring with natural beet powder for red coloration.

FAQs

  • Why is vinegar used in the recipe?

Vinegar helps activate the baking powder and creates a tender, soft cake texture while enhancing the red velvet’s signature tangy flavor.

  • How do I prevent my cake roll from cracking?

Roll the cake while it’s still warm and use a gentle, steady motion. Cool it completely before filling to maintain flexibility and prevent breaking.

  • Can I make this cake roll ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake roll 1-2 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

  • What's the key to getting a smooth cream cheese filling?

Beat the cream cheese and butter until completely smooth before adding powdered sugar, and use room temperature ingredients for the best consistency.

Red Velvet Cake Roll With Classic Holiday Color

  • Wow Easy Skill Level: Perfect for bakers with basic skills, this recipe requires minimal complicated techniques and allows beginners to create a stunning dessert without stress.
  • Quick Festive Preparation: From mixing to baking, this cake roll takes under an hour to create, making it an ideal last-minute holiday dessert that looks impressively professional.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: The beautiful rolled design and vibrant red color transform an ordinary cake into a show-stopping centerpiece that guarantees compliments and delighted guests at Christmas gatherings.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Cake can be prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen, providing incredible convenience during busy holiday season when time is precious and entertaining demands are high.
Print
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Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Festive Christmas red velvet cake roll brings holiday cheer with its elegant swirl of rich cocoa and cream cheese frosting. Delightful dessert promises a sweet celebration that melts hearts and creates cherished memories for seasonal gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (20 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon oil (canola/vegetable)
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or 2 tablespoons milk plus 1/2 teaspoon vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 g) brick cream cheese, cold
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) butter (1 stick), room temperature
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a meticulous mise en place by sifting the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt – into a pristine mixing vessel. Set this powdery mixture aside for later incorporation.
  2. Harness the power of your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whipping eggs at medium velocity for five minutes until they transform into a voluminous, aerated cloud. Gradually cascade sugar and oil into the egg mixture while maintaining a steady medium-low speed.
  3. Infuse the batter with tangy buttermilk, sharp vinegar, aromatic vanilla, and vibrant red food coloring. Blend these liquid elements until harmoniously integrated.
  4. Gently fold the reserved dry ingredient mixture into the wet batter, stirring just until combined. Carefully transfer the crimson batter into a prepared baking surface, ensuring an even, smooth distribution.
  5. Heat the oven to 350˚F and bake the delicate cake for 13-15 minutes. The surface should spring back responsively when gently touched, indicating perfect doneness.
  6. Elevate the cake using the parchment paper, transferring it to a wire rack. Allow a brief three-minute resting period for steam dissipation. While still warm, tightly roll the cake using the parchment paper as a guide, creating a compact log shape.
  7. Craft the luscious cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until a uniform consistency emerges. Refrigerate the frosting to maintain its structure.
  8. Delicately unroll the cooled cake, allowing a short resting period if necessary. Apply the chilled cream cheese frosting with surgical precision using an offset spatula, leaving a narrow border. Roll the cake with deliberate tension, ensuring a tight, uniform spiral.
  9. For optimal texture and flavor development, encase the rolled cake and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. When ready to serve, dust with a delicate veil of powdered sugar. Slice into twelve elegant portions using a serrated knife, cleansing the blade between cuts for pristine presentation.

Notes

  • Master the egg whipping technique by ensuring eggs are at room temperature for maximum volume and fluffiness.
  • Use precise measurements and sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a smoother, more even cake texture.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a delicate, tender crumb and prevent a tough cake roll.
  • Experiment with natural food coloring alternatives like beetroot powder for a healthier red velvet option.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 235
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 105 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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