Birthday Cake Roll

What do you get when you combine a confetti cake with a creamy filling, white chocolate ganache, and a heavy coating of sprinkles? This birthday cake roll recipe.

Did you know my homemade birthday cake is one of the top recipes on Southern Plate? It seems everyone wants to know how to make an easy birthday cake from scratch. 

Well today, we’re not making a cake from scratch. Instead, we’re using a boxed rainbow party cake mix to make my easy birthday cake roll recipe. You may refer to a cake roll as a Swiss roll, jelly roll, roll cake, cream roll, roulade, or Swiss log cake. Yep, this creation has that many names. But whatever you call it, there’s no denying a rolled-up cake with filling is a downright delectable dessert!

Now, I know there are quite a few ingredients and instructions below. But believe me when I tell y’all that this really is an easy recipe to follow. First, we have to make and bake our boxed rainbow cake in a jelly roll pan. Then we roll that up and let it chill for an hour. The next step is to make the creamy filling, which includes cream cheese, sugar, and whipped topping. It’s like cream cheese frosting… but better!

You’ve gotta be patient and let that chill overnight. But once you do, it’s time for the finishing touch! A ganache on top made from white chocolate chips and heavy cream, and lots and lots of sprinkles. The final step? Enjoying a slice of birthday cake roll, of course. The combination of the soft sponge cake with the sweet coating and creamy filling is to die for! I hope you get the chance to make it for a special someone and try it for yourself soon.

Check out some of our other recipes that would make the perfect birthday cakes like Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Molten Chocolate Cakes, Coca-Cola Cake, Viennetta Ice Cream Cake, and Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.

Recipe Ingredients

Cake

• Rainbow chip cake mix
• Eggs
• Water
• Vegetable oil
• Powdered sugar

Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Whipped topping

Coating

• Heavy whipping cream
• White chocolate chips
• Sprinkles

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Jellyroll Pan
• Electric Mixer
• Cooling Rack

How to Make a Birthday Cake Roll

Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare a jellyroll pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom with a sheet of parchment paper.

In a stand mixer, beat the eggs on high speed for 6 minutes until they are fluffy and yellow.

Make sure you mix for the full time.

Add in the cake mix, water, and oil, and mix until well combined.

Here’s our cake batter.

Pour 3/4 of the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 14 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the cake springs back when touched.

You can use the remaining batter to make birthday cupcakes if you like, baking for 14-15 minutes as well.

Here’s our golden birthday cake!

Now, while baking, lie out a tea towel and sprinkle it with 1/4 cup powdered sugar.

Once the baking is complete, immediately turn the cake over onto the prepared tea towel.

Roll up the cake with the towel.

Allow it to cool at room temperature for an hour.

Prepare the Filling

While the rolled cake cools, prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.

Then fold in the whipped cream topping.

Carefully unroll the cooled cake and spread the filling all along the surface, allowing about 1/2 to 1 inch of space at the end of the roll.

Re-roll the cake back up, without the towel, and wrap it in plastic wrap.

Chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Finish With the Coating

When the cake is done chilling, warm up the heavy whipping cream on the stove just until it starts to boil.

Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate chips and stir until a nice creamy ganache has been reached.

Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Set the chilled cake roll onto a wire rack that is sitting on top of a cookie sheet.

Pour the chocolate all over the top of the chilled cake, allowing it to cover the sides of your cake.

Then, pour sprinkles into your hand and pat them all over the cake and sides.

Return to the fridge for 30 minutes or freezer for 10-15 minutes so it firms up.

Slice the cool cake and serve.

Enjoy!

Storage

• Because of the creamy filling, this birthday cake roll is best consumed within 24 hours. However, when stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last up to three days.
• Freezing can slightly change the texture, but you can freeze it for up to three months if you like. Just double-wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.

Recipe Variations

• While this is a “birthday” cake roll, you can easily change things up to suit the occasion. First, switch the cake flavor to something simple like a yellow or white cake mix. Then add sprinkles that suit the celebration i.e. red and green sprinkles for Christmas, red sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, or pastel sprinkles for Easter. You can also swap the sprinkles for mini M&Ms.
• Another option is to use creamy chocolate frosting, store-bought vanilla frosting, or semi-sweet chocolate ganache instead. 

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep cake rolls from cracking?

Rolling the cake within the tea towel helps prevent cracking.

Do you roll cake when it’s hot or cold?

You definitely want to roll the cake when it’s warm as it’s more pliable.

How long do roll cakes last?

As mentioned, this cake roll is best eaten within 24 hours but can last up to three days.

Can I use foil instead of baking paper for a Swiss roll?

If your only choice is aluminum foil then sure. But I strongly recommend using baking paper or waxed paper for any type of cake baking.

How do you keep the cake from sticking to the baking sheet?

Use parchment paper to keep the cake from sticking to the baking sheet.

You may also enjoy these recipes:

Birthday Cake Cookies

Chocolate Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Icing

Super Easy King Cake Recipe

Lemon Angel Food Cake Roll

Pretty Cake Mix Cupcakes With Vanilla Glaze

Cookies and Cream Cookies Using Cake Mix