Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll

When I brought this to our family Christmas Eve party last year, everyone stood around taking photos of the slices before eating because the red and white swirl looked too pretty to destroy. Then my cousin bit into one and literally said "This tastes like Christmas wrapped in velvet!" She wasn't exaggerating. This Christmas red velvet cake roll proves that the most show stopping holiday desserts combine stunning visual impact; those dramatic red and white spirals; with incredible flavor from tender cocoa infused cake wrapped around tangy sweet cream cheese filling.

Jump to:

• What is Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll
• How To Make Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll
• What Pairs Well With Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll?
• Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Variations
• Equipment
• Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Storage Tips
• Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Top Tips
• Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll FAQs
• Your New Holiday Tradition
• Related
• Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll

What is Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll

Christmas red velvet cake roll is a festive swiss roll featuring thin red velvet sponge cake rolled around sweetened cream cheese frosting to create beautiful spiral slices perfect for holiday celebrations. Unlike traditional layer cakes that require stacking and complicated frosting, this red velvet roll cake uses a simple rolling technique where you bake the cake flat, spread filling over it while warm, then roll it up like a jelly roll to create those stunning swirls. The result is an elegant holiday cake roll that looks professionally made but requires no special decorating skills beyond spreading and rolling.

How To Make Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll

Our Christmas red velvet cake roll recipe uses a specific flour ratio that creates the perfect tender crumb that rolls without cracking, combined with rolling the cake while still warm in a powdered sugar dusted towel. The secret is spreading the cream cheese filling on the warm cake which allows it to soften slightly and meld with the sponge, creating seamless layers instead of cake and filling that separate. This method ensures a soft red velvet roll cake with perfect swirls every single time.

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cake:

• ¾ cup all purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel preferred)
• Powdered sugar for rolling

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For Decoration:

• Extra powdered sugar for dusting
• Fresh cranberries (optional)
• Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Step by Step Method

Prepare Pan and Oven

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Line 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper
• Spray parchment with nonstick cooking spray
• Proper preparation prevents sticking and tearing

Mix Dry Ingredients

• Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt
• Sift mixture to remove lumps for smooth batter
• Set aside while you prepare wet ingredients
• Sifting creates lighter more tender cake

Beat Eggs and Sugar

• Beat eggs and sugar with electric mixer on high 5 minutes
• Mixture should be thick, pale, and tripled in volume
• Proper beating incorporates air for light fluffy cake
• This step is crucial for rollable texture

Combine and Add Color

• Gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture
• Add vanilla extract and red food coloring
• Fold just until combined with no flour streaks
• Overmixing deflates batter and creates tough cake

Bake Until Just Set

• Spread batter evenly in prepared pan
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes until cake springs back when touched
• Do not overbake or cake will crack when rolling
• Edges should just start pulling from pan sides

Roll Cake While Warm

• Dust clean kitchen towel generously with powdered sugar
• Immediately flip hot cake onto towel and peel off parchment
• Starting from short end, roll cake up in towel
• Let cool completely rolled up for 1 hour minimum

Make Cream Cheese Filling

• Beat softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy
• Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt
• Beat until smooth and spreadable
• Filling should be thick enough to hold shape

Unroll and Fill Cake

• Gently unroll cooled cake and remove towel
• Spread cream cheese filling evenly over entire surface
• Leave ½ inch border on edges for spreading
• Even layer prevents filling from squishing out

Roll Final Time and Chill

• Carefully roll cake back up without the towel
• Place seam side down on serving platter
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours minimum
• Chilling sets filling and makes slicing easier

Dust and Serve

• Dust finished roll with powdered sugar before serving
• Slice with sharp serrated knife for clean cuts
• Wipe knife between slices for prettiest presentation
• Garnish with cranberries and rosemary if desired

What Pairs Well With Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll?

This festive Christmas red velvet cake roll pairs beautifully with hot chocolate, coffee, or eggnog for cozy holiday beverage combinations. Try it alongside other christmas desserts like sugar cookies, peppermint bark, or chocolate truffles for variety on dessert tables. For Christmas morning, serve with fresh berries, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Variations

Peppermint Red Velvet Cake Roll

• Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to cake batter
• Mix crushed candy canes into cream cheese filling
• Top with more crushed peppermints before serving
• Creates minty twist perfect for candy cane lovers

Red Velvet Cake Roll with Cake Mix

• Use red velvet cake mix prepared as jelly roll
• Follow package directions for thin sheet cake
• Bake in jelly roll pan lined with parchment
• Easier shortcut method with similar results

Snowflake Red Velvet Cake Roll

• Use stencil to dust snowflake pattern with powdered sugar
• Add white chocolate snowflake decorations
• Creates winter wonderland presentation
• Perfect for New Year's celebrations too

Red Velvet Swiss Roll with White Chocolate

• Add white chocolate chips to cream cheese filling
• Drizzle melted white chocolate over finished roll
• Extra sweetness and elegant appearance
• Perfect for fancy holiday parties

Equipment

• 10x15 inch jelly roll pan for proper size
• Parchment paper to prevent sticking
• Clean kitchen towel for rolling
• Electric mixer for proper volume
• Offset spatula for spreading filling

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Storage Tips

Best Fresh

• Serve cake roll within 3 days for the softest texture
• Fresh rolls have the most vibrant red color
• Cream cheese filling stays creamiest when newly made
• Room temperature slices show prettiest swirl pattern

Make Ahead Strategy

• Bake cake up to 2 days ahead and keep rolled in towel
• Make filling and assemble day before serving
• Wrapped cake roll stays fresh refrigerated for 5 days
• Let come to room temperature 30 minutes before slicing

Freezer Storage

• Wrap finished unfrosted roll tightly in plastic then foil
• Freeze up to 2 months for advance holiday prep
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving
• Dust with fresh powdered sugar after thawing

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll Top Tips

The first Christmas I attempted this in 2015, I used a recipe that called for too much flour and the cake cracked in three places when I tried rolling it; complete disaster. My aunt who's been making swiss rolls for church fundraisers since the 1980s saw my sad broken cake and immediately diagnosed the problem. She explained that her mother who grew up in Switzerland taught her that proper roll cakes need a very thin, delicate crumb with just enough structure to hold together but not so much that they're stiff. The ratio should be about ¾ cup flour to 4 eggs maximum. Any more flour and you get regular cake texture that's too rigid to roll.

Christmas Red Velvet Cake Roll FAQs

Your New Holiday Tradition

Now you have the secrets to creating this incredible Christmas red velvet cake roll that transforms your holiday dessert table into something truly special. This recipe proves that the most impressive festive desserts combine stunning visual presentation with incredible flavor and simpler technique than most people realize.

Ready for more red velvet magic? Try our Red Velvet Cake for classic layered perfection, or explore our Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast twist. For holiday rolls, our Libby's Pumpkin Roll uses similar rolling techniques with autumn spice flavor.

Share your Christmas red velvet cake roll! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #ChristmasRedVelvetCakeRoll; we're dying to see your perfect swirls and hear about your holiday celebrations!

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