Pumpkin Roll

This recipe is 100% mom.  She has made this pumpkin roll for years- usually at Christmas.  I hate (despise, loath) pumpkin in any edible form (I prefer them carved into jack-o-lanterns on the porch…).  So this recipe is for all the people who say mom’s pumpkin roll is the MOST amazing dessert ever– I will take your word for it- I didn’t even lick the spoon!

INGREDIENTS:

Roll:

• 2/3 cups pumpkin
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda

Filling:

• 8 oz. brick of Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. margarine

DIRECTIONS:

• Grease a jelly roll pan.  Put wax paper on bottom and grease the wax paper.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix together all of the roll ingredients, adding the flour, cinnamon and soda last.  Blend well.
• Pour batter into pan over greased wax paper and spread evenly to all sides.  Tap pan on counter to settle batter and get air bubbles to top.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and immediately -with wax paper on- roll pumpkin cake up from short end of pan to short end of pan (you will probably burn your fingers a little- I usually do!) Roll this up in a clean towel to hold it tightly together.

• Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• While roll is chilling, make filling:
• Cream together softened cream cheese and powdered sugar.  Add vanilla and margarine and mix until smooth and creamy.
• After one hour, remove roll and unroll it carefully.
• Spread filling over top of opened roll and then re-roll this up *removing the wax paper as you roll*

• Place this back in the refrigerator for about 4-6 hours minimum.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar or decorate as desired.
• Before serving, slice into beautiful spirals!  Enjoy!

My thoughts: Even though I’m not a fan of pumpkin, I AM a fan of desserts that make you say “wow” when you see them– this qualifies– I think its just so pretty and fun (and it is NOT hard to make!!!)   Now if I could just make it chocolate instead of pumpkin…hmmm….. 🙂