Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (unsweetened)
- 4 large eggs (separated)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease the jelly-roll pan, line it with parchment paper, and lightly grease the parchment.
- Beat the egg yolks, pumpkin purée, and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin/yolk mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the pumpkin batter in two additions, maintaining as much air as possible.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cake springs back lightly when touched.
- While the cake bakes, lay a large, clean cotton tea towel flat on your counter and generously dust it with powdered sugar.
- Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, invert the hot cake directly onto the sugared tea towel. Carefully peel off the parchment paper.
- Starting from one short end, use the tea towel to tightly roll the warm cake into a log shape. Place the rolled cake seam-side down on a wire rack and allow it to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
- To make the filling, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Once cool, gently unroll the cake. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the entire surface, leaving a small border at the edges.
- Re-roll the cake tightly (without the towel this time), ensuring the seam is on the bottom.
- Wrap the finished roll tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the roll to set before slicing and serving.