Introduction

This festive Christmas Cake Roll is a delightful holiday treat featuring a colorful tie-dye pattern inside a soft, fluffy white cake. Finished with a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting, this dessert is perfect for impressing guests or adding a special touch to your holiday table.

A rolled cake with four clear spiral layers visible from the side, alternating colors of red, white, green, and white again, each layer showing a soft and moist texture with a fine crumb. The outside of the roll has broad horizontal stripes in the sequence red, green, white, red, green, and white, wrapping neatly around the cake. The cake sits on a clean white rectangular plate placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 white cake mix (including ingredients listed on the box)
Red food coloring gel, as needed

Green food coloring gel, as needed
½ cup butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

3-4 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Grease a jelly roll pan with shortening and dust it with flour to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the white cake batter according to the package directions. Divide the batter evenly into two separate bowls.

Step 3: Add red food coloring gel to one bowl and green food coloring gel to the other. Mix each until the color is evenly distributed.
Step 4: Transfer each colored batter into separate ziplock bags and cut a small corner off each. Pipe diagonal strips of alternating colors into the prepared pan until it is filled. Use any remaining batter to fill in gaps.
Step 5: Gently shake the pan to level the batter. Use a toothpick to swirl the batter, creating a tie-dye effect.

Step 6: Bake for 18 minutes or until the cake is set and springs back lightly to the touch. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
Step 7: Place a clean towel on a flat surface and sprinkle it with flour. Carefully flip the cake out of the pan onto the towel. Sprinkle the top side of the cake with a little flour and cover it with another towel.
Step 8: Starting at one end, roll the cake tightly with the towels on each side to help shape it. Set the rolled cake aside to cool completely.

Step 9: Once cooled, gently unroll the cake. Prepare the frosting by beating softened butter and vanilla together, then gradually adding powdered sugar and milk to reach desired consistency. Spread frosting evenly over the cake surface.
Step 10: Roll the cake again, this time using one towel to guide you. Wrap the roll tightly in the towel and place it in the freezer for 4 hours to set.
Step 11: Remove the cake roll from the freezer, unwrap, and cut into slices. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
To add extra flavor, mix a teaspoon of almond or peppermint extract into the frosting.
Swap the green color for blue or purple to create a different holiday color scheme.

For easier rolling, let the cake cool slightly but while still warm to prevent cracking.

Storage

Wrap the cake roll tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To serve, allow it to come to room temperature or enjoy it chilled. You can freeze the cake roll for up to one month; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

How to Serve

A rolled cake is shown on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has three colorful sponge layers: the outer layer is bright red, the middle layer is green, and the innermost layer is a white cream filling. Red crumbs are scattered on the board near the cake, and the top red layer has a light dusting of powdered sugar. The background is softly blurred with brown pine cones and green pine leaves. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake roll ahead of time?

Yes, this cake roll can be prepared and frozen up to a month in advance. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

What if my cake cracks when rolling?

Rolling the cake while it is still slightly warm and using a floured towel to roll helps prevent cracking. If cracks appear, you can cover them with frosting once the cake is unrolled and frosted.