Learn how to make the perfect Vanilla Sponge Cake Roll with homemade Funfetti Whipped Cream filling. Enjoy this rolled cake for a birthday treat or to celebrate any occasion!
Today’s recipe is oozing with childhood nostalgia. If you loved Funfetti cake as a kid, here’s an Funfetti Dip recipe you’ll love just as much as a grown-up!
What is a Cake Roll
A Cake Roll is a sponge cake that’s baked in a sheet pan, topped with a creamy filling, then rolled into a cylinder. Each slice of cake roll reveals the spiraled layers of filling and cake inside!
Most people think of pumpkin rolls when they think of a cake roll.
Cake rolls like this one are also known as “Swiss rolls” or “roll cakes” depending where you live. When jelly is used instead of a whipped cream filling, this tasty dessert is usually called a jelly roll.
Today’s Vanilla Funfetti Cake Roll starts with a light vanilla sponge cake and a rich whipped cream filling. A generous amount of rainbow sprinkles rolled inside give the Vanilla Cake roll a fun, festive touch!
Ingredient Notes
To make this Funfetti Cake Roll, you’ll need your standard cake baking staples including eggs, sugar, and flour. You will also need these key ingredients for a perfect roll.
- Vanilla Extract. As the primary flavor of the sponge cake and filling, a good quality pure vanilla extract is essential. Try my Instant Pot Vanilla Extract recipe for this cake if you have time to plan ahead!
- Heavy whipping cream. Use this to make a fluffy homemade whipped cream to spread across your baked sponge cake.
- Sprinkles. We used assorted colors of jimmies sprinkles to give this cake roll a classic Funfetti look.
- Powdered sugar. This is dusted on a dish towel that’s then used to roll up the baked cake. The powdered sugar keeps the warm cake from sticking to the towel. I also use it to garnish the finished cake roll before slicing.
Things You Need To Know
Have you made a cake roll before? Here’s some tips:
- TIP#1: don’t use a regular cake mix or cake recipe when making a cake roll. They will fall apart.
- TIP#2: have your towel with powdered sugar ready when the cake comes out of the oven!
- TIP#3: Have your broom ready when you spill powdered sugar all over your kitchen trying to flip the towel and cake together.
Recipe FAQs
No, a boxed mix will NOT work for this cake rolling method! The sponge cake recipe here is specifically formulated to be rolled in to the desired shape.
A 15 x 10 inch baking sheet (also called a jelly roll pan) works best for this recipe.
Do not use a smaller pan or the cake will bake too thick and bread when you attempt to roll it.
Before slicing and serving, store the roll cake tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It is best enjoyed within 1 -2 days of making.
I use a rainbow colored assortment of jimmies sprinkles. The “official” Funfetti sprinkles from Nestle would be great in this cake too!
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Vanilla Funfetti Cake Roll
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- â…“ cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ÂĽ teaspoon kosher salt
- ÂĽ cup powdered sugar for dusting towel
For the filling:
- 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ÂĽ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sprinkles jimmies
Instructions
- Line a 15x10x1 baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with baking spray (or grease and flour). Set aside. Sprinkle powdered sugar onto a large, clean dish towel (same size or bigger than baking sheet). Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl beat eggs for 2-3 minutes. Add sugar, water and vanilla and beat an additional minute until fully incorporated. Beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Pour into prepared baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 11-13 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately flip cake onto powdered sugar towel. Peel off parchment paper. Place a clean sheet of parchment paper over back of cake and roll cake up in towel carefully (from short end to short end). Cool for one hour.
- To make filling, beat heavy cream for several minutes until soft peaks form. Add in granulated sugar and vanilla and continue beating until desired consistency. Very gently, fold in sprinkles. Try not to over stir the sprinkles or the colors will start to bleed.
- When cake is cooled, unroll gently. Remove parchment paper and spread filling in the cake. Re-roll the cake without the towel. Sprinkle with extra powdered sugar or sprinkles, if desired. Refrigerate cake on a plate with plastic wrap over the top. Serve and enjoy! This cake is best served within 1-2 days.
Notes
- Don’t use a regular cake mix or cake recipe when making a cake roll. They will fall apart.
- Store cake in airtight container in the refrigerator.
I love your delicious vanilla sponge cake roll with funfetti whipped cream.your decorating is so beautifull.i try to make this .thank you so much
Never thought of using a second sheet of parchment paper when rolling the cake. What a great idea.
I attempted this cake. I’ll admit, it was delicious. But I used a slightly smaller pan and it was thick so when I attempted to roll it, it broke. Next time, I’ll remember the wise words of Sharpay Evans: bigger is better.
Hi! I am dying to make this today! However, I only have a 12×17 pan. How do you think that would work? Or, do you think I could do a smaller version in a 9×13?
Hi Cassie,
I think the bigger sheet might work, you would just have to adjust baking time (lower). Definitely not use the 13×9. Good luck.
has anyone thought of doing this in chocolate and/or ice cream filling? just add cocoa?
Coming from Germany it’s called a
We also make our Torten like for Black Forest Torte with the same dough.
I use regular granulated sugar on the towel
and I use half cake flour and half potato starch and only
1 Tablespoon of warm water.
has anyone thought about doing a chocolate version and/or doing ice cream in the middle? just add cocoa?
This cake roll looks awesome!!! Today is my birthday so I may just try to make this just for my special day =)
Happy blogiversary, Aimee! You always have amazing recipes to share and I’m so glad I “found you” last year. 🙂
Awwww…..that’s the sweetest cake ever! 🙂