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Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

The Best Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Published: Nov 29, 2015 · Modified: Nov 9, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

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I love the fall season and I love baking with pumpkin! This year I thought I’d develop a Gluten-Free Pumpkin Roll recipe and I couldn’t have been happier with the results.

 Pumpkin Roll Recipe. Enjoy my Gluten Free version of this Holiday Classic!


 
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • How do I store a finished pumpkin roll?
  • Chef Dennis Tip:
  • Recipe: Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

Audio Player

To make a vegan version of this delicious cake roll, simply replace the cream cheese and butter with vegan versions. Replace the eggs with ½ cup of applesauce and increase the pumpkin puree to ¾ cup.

A neighbor made this version and I couldn’t tell the difference!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

The pumpkin roll was moist and delicious and the cream cheese-mascarpone frosting was not too sweet and oh-so creamy. I used a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend that you can find in your local grocer or online.

Cup for cup simply means that the blend has been created to mimic All-purpose flour so it can be used as a replacement in most regular recipes.

How do I store a finished pumpkin roll?

Once filled and rolled, wrap the finished pumpkin roll tightly in a piece of plastic wrap and then again in a layer of foil. Make sure that the ends are sealed well; this is important. After properly wrapping the pumpkin roll you can keep them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or you can freeze them for up to a month.

When ready to serve the pumpkin roll, remove it from the freezer or refrigerator and allow the roll to come to room temperature before serving.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

My pumpkin roll is pretty easy to make. The sponge bakes up nicely and rolling it up, using a towel is a lot easier than you may think. *Just remember to roll up your cake within a few minutes of it coming out of the oven, otherwise it will start to set and won’t roll without cracking.

Once rolled and cooled it’s pretty easy to simply add a layer of cream cheese-mascarpone frosting and re-roll this beauty back up. Roll it up in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Chef Dennis Tip:

I recommend that the cake gets rolled into the towel as soon as it comes out of the oven. When the cake is rolled while warm, the heat and moisture will help keep the cake from cracking. The cake is much more likely to crack if it is rolled when cooled.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

Then serve up some deliciousness with a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and honestly tell me if you can tell that the Pumpkin Roll is Gluten Free!

If you’re looking for another amazing gluten-free recipe try my recipe for the most ah-mazing brownies you’ll ever have.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll, recipe

Feel free to change up the filling, making this pumpkin roll your own signature dessert. The recipe also works perfectly with all-purpose flour.

Just make sure to have the recipe handy to share with your family and friends. They’ll be asking for it for sure!

If you like this recipe you may also like these:

  • Gluten-Free Cocoa Brownies
  • Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake
A close up of two slices of gluten-free pumpkin roll and candied cranberries

Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll

Chef Dennis
Everyone loves Pumpkin Roll and my Gluten-Free version is just as good as the all-purpose flour variety.   It's easy to make especially when you use a cup for cup GF flour blend found at most grocers.
4.44 from 37 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 398 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Roll

  • ¼ cup powdered sugar to sprinkle on towel
  • ¾ cup Gluten-Free Flour Blend (Cup for Cup) King Arthur, Bobs Red Mill or your favorite blend.
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounce cream cheese softened
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese or cream cheese
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with parchment paper. Grease parchment paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
  • Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick.
  • Beat in pumpkin.
  • Stir in flour mixture.
  • Spread evenly into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until the top of the cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel, and carefully peel off paper.
  • Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end.
  • Cool on wire rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Whip cream cheese, mascarpone, powdered sugar and butter until smooth and creamy.
  • Add vanilla extract, sugar and orange rind and mix together until well blended.
  • Carefully unroll cake; remove towel and spread cream cheese mixture over cake.***
  • Re-roll cake, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

To make a vegan version of this delicious cake roll, simply replace the cream cheese and butter with vegan versions. Replace the eggs with ½ cup of applesauce and increase the pumpkin puree to ¾ cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 232mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 1gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 2870IUVitamin C: 0.6mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 0.7mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    4.44 from 37 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Janet Norway says

    November 16, 2018 at 11:32 pm

    5 stars
    Chef
    Is it possible to freeze the pumpkin roll for a few days before serving?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 17, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      hi Janet

      wrap the pumpkin roll tightly in a piece of plastic wrap and then again in a layer of foil – making sure that the ends are sealed well. You can store them in the refrigerator for a few days or you can freeze them for up to a month.
      Remove the roll to room temperature about an hour or so before serving.

      Reply
  2. Lacy says

    September 12, 2018 at 10:39 am

    The recipe says to use both wax paper and parchment paper. Is this a typo, or how do I use both? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      September 13, 2018 at 7:59 am

      thanks for pointing this out Lacy, it should just be parchment paper.

      Reply
  3. Wingrl says

    November 23, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Would all purpose baking mix be the same as baking flour?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 23, 2017 at 9:39 am

      no it is not. a baking mix can have fat, leavening agents and salt in it so it will completely change the recipe.

      Reply
  4. Nancy Pevets says

    November 18, 2017 at 7:52 am

    Would a 12X17 jelly roll pan work, or will it be too thin?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 18, 2017 at 8:04 am

      hi Nancy – it would be too thin using the cake recipe. I would increase the recipe by 1/3 to make up for the added size of the pan.

      Reply
      • Nancy Pevets says

        November 30, 2021 at 10:53 am

        5 stars
        This is my fourth year of baking pumpkin rolls using this recipe. The results are perfect every time. (As for the question l asked in 2017, l bought a 10” X 15” jelly roll pan that l only use for this recipe!) Thank you, Chef!

      • Chef Dennis Littley says

        November 30, 2021 at 9:15 pm

        You’re very welcome Nancy, I’m happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the recipe!

  5. Alisha says

    November 13, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    My cake completely broke apart when I unwrapped it from the towel. What did I do wrong or what should I do to prevent it?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 13, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      my best guess would be that you baked it too long or did not coat the towel with enough powdered sugar. Here is a video I did that might help you https://youtu.be/4dmONicMl6U

      Reply
  6. Ginnie Higgins says

    October 31, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    I hate to sound dumb, but cup for cup please explain to me.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      October 31, 2017 at 1:37 pm

      hi Ginnie
      not a dumb question at all. Cup for Cup is a designation used to show that a Gluten Free flour blend can be used with the same measurements as regular flour. If you’re mixing your own blends you sometimes need more or less depending upon the types of GF flours you use.
      If you’re looking for a non GF pumpkin roll (using regular flour) you can find it here https://www.askchefdennis.com/classic-pumpkin-roll-recipe/

      If you’re looking for a cup for cup blend of GF flour your grocer may carry it. King Arthur and Bobs Red Mill make them.

      Reply
  7. Carrie says

    January 10, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last night – I have gotten SO many compliments!! Excellent recipe!

    A couple of quick questions which might help me when I make this again: How long should I whip the eggs and sugar for? The pumpkin portion was really thick when I pulled it from the oven – does this mean I overwhipped the eggs?

    Also, I used a linen towel and sprinkled it with the powdered sugar, but the pumpkin roll still stuck quite a bit to the towel. Is the solution just to sprinkle with more powdered sugar?

    Thanks for sharing this, it was easy and delicious!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      January 10, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      hi Carrie

      I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the pumpkin roll, I love them! As for sticking, yes more powdered sugar would help. Whipping will generally just lighten the mixture, so I don’t think that’s it. I usually whip the eggs for 5-7 minutes but on a lower speed building it up gradually until its thick. Pumpkin is dense and the end product will be a little heavy and sometimes a little wet. Hopefully next time will go a bit smoother.

      Reply
  8. MommaL says

    December 14, 2016 at 1:29 am

    I have never made this before and it is my honey’s favorite childhood treat. His mother is gone so I can’t even ask her advice. So I just want to clarify: I’m going to grease the pan, then line it with wax paper, then put a greased parchment sheet on top of the wax paper?

    We are also Dairy Free so I’m planning to use Kite Hill cream cheese and Earth Balance margarine for the filling.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      December 14, 2016 at 8:53 am

      you only need one sheet of parchment, no wax paper. grease the pan and then the parchment.
      I’ve never used non dairy cream cheese but if it whips and mixes well it should be no problem

      I hope it turns out well and your honey enjoys it.

      Reply
      • MommaL says

        December 19, 2016 at 12:24 am

        Thank you!

        I’ll let you know how it goes!

      • MommaL says

        December 26, 2016 at 12:09 pm

        5 stars
        This is delicious!
        I wound up using only 8 oz. of the Kite Hill cream cheese (because it’s so expensive) with Spectrum Palm shortening for the filling. It was just the right amount and delicious!
        My honey said the flavor was just right and his mother would have been impressed. 🙂

        Thank you!

  9. Vanessa Amor Vance says

    November 24, 2016 at 2:02 am

    4 stars
    I used a silpat mat. Please listen to Chef Dennis and apply grease!! Novice mistake on my part!

    I sampled the cake and frosting (yummy!). It is in the refrigerator cooling…I look forward to enjoying it tomorrow on Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 24, 2016 at 10:38 am

      thanks for your comment Vanessa, and I’m sorry the silpat mat didn’t work. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  10. tayland says

    November 13, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    it actually looks good

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 13, 2016 at 8:08 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  11. tayland says

    November 13, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    5 stars
    srry ive just been looking for a while for a recipe that actually uses pumpkin itself and not canned. i could just make puree.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 13, 2016 at 8:09 pm

      no worries, I understand your frustration.

      Reply
  12. tayland says

    November 13, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    1 star
    why is it every time i look up log cakes from SCRATCH they all use canned pumkin. this is a flipping rippoff

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 13, 2016 at 8:08 pm

      you can always use fresh pumpkin, but most people wouldn’t be able to, so I use canned. If you do want to use fresh make sure to get the smaller sugar pumpkins and you may want to let it drain for awhile to get some of the extra moisture out of the puree after its made.

      Reply
  13. Sage says

    October 07, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    I am very confused by the way you have written out the recipe. Does “cup 1/4” mean 1 cup and 1/4 or just 1/4 cup?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      October 08, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      I am very sorry Sage, I just converted to a new recipe plugin and it must not have transferred my recipes correctly. Thank you so much for pointing it out, I have gone in and adjusted the recipes. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

      Reply
  14. B Rizzonelli says

    December 10, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    Is this correct?

    For Cream Cheese Frosting, it says:
    1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
    8 ounces mascarpone Cheese (or cream cheese)

    It is on here twice, isn’t that alot of cream cheese or too much?

    BR

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      December 10, 2015 at 8:51 pm

      Yes it’s correct for my recipe. Feel free to make adjustments

      Reply
      • B Rizzonelli says

        December 12, 2015 at 2:52 pm

        So it uses 16 ounces of cream cheese total? Isn’t that alot? Or is either cream cheese or mascarpone cheese?

      • Stella J. says

        September 04, 2016 at 2:56 pm

        Yes, I am wondering that too.

      • Chef Dennis Littley says

        September 04, 2016 at 8:43 pm

        that’s what my recipe calls for

  15. Mary Frances says

    December 04, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Your pumkin roll looks so good and easy to make!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      December 04, 2015 at 10:35 am

      it really is easy to make Mary Frances and amazingly delicious!

      Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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