Save 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 our go-to dessert for holiday gatherings because it always brings smiles and festive cheer.
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:
- a. Remove the store-bought cake from its packaging and if necessary trim the edges to form a neat rectangle. b. Place the cake on a piece of parchment paper. c. Gently slice off any domed top to level the cake. d. 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:
- a. Spread the whipped cream filling evenly over the surface of the cake leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. b. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cream if using. c. Gently roll the cake from the short end using the parchment paper to help guide it tightly into a log. d. Wrap the rolled cake in parchment and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (optional for cleaner slicing).
- Decorate:
- a. Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with different food colorings for sweater patterns. b. Spread a base layer of frosting over the cake roll. c. 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!
Save This recipe always brings the family together around the dessert table for laughter and compliments.
Notes
Get creative with designs use crushed candy canes edible glitter or pretzel sticks.
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
Save This ugly sweater cake roll is sure to be the star of your holiday dessert table every year.
Kitchen Tips & Answers
- → Can I use different cake flavors?
Yes, vanilla or chocolate sheet cakes both work well and can be paired with matching fillings and frostings.
- → How do I prevent the cake from cracking during rolling?
Removing any domed top and rolling gently with parchment paper helps maintain cake integrity for smooth rolls.
- → What alternatives can be used for decorations?
Edible glitter, crushed candy canes, pretzel sticks, and assorted sprinkles add variety and texture to the design.
- → Is chilling the rolled cake necessary?
Refrigerating the roll helps it set firmly and makes slicing cleaner and easier.
- → How can I make the cream filling more stable?
Ensure heavy cream is cold before whipping and beat until stiff peaks form for best stability.