Moist Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting
Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting first appeared on my counter the morning before a spring baby shower, when three different conversations were happening at once. My sister was on speakerphone debating flower colors
My neighbor dropped off borrowed cake pans, and my youngest asked if pink cake meant it tasted like strawberries. I wanted a dessert that felt celebratory without being loud, something elegant but still playful. As the batter turned soft blush in the bowl, it felt like the right direction gentle, cheerful, and a little nostalgic without leaning too hard into tradition.
Later that same week, I made the cake roll again for a quiet weekend gathering with friends who prefer desserts that look impressive but eat easily. We sliced it at the table, watching the swirl reveal itself cleanly, cream cheese frosting tucked into every curve.
The almond extract gave it a subtle warmth, and the texture stayed light instead of heavy. Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting has a way of fitting into moments both planned and spontaneous, which is exactly what I look for when I’m baking for people I care about.

Short Description
Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting is a soft sponge-style cake tinted pink, rolled with a smooth cream cheese filling, and chilled for clean slices and a beautiful swirl.
Key Ingredients
For the Cake
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Pink food coloring, just under ⅛ teaspoon
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Creamy Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tools Needed
- 10 × 15 × 1 inch jelly roll pan
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Fine mesh sieve
- Clean kitchen towel
- Offset spatula
- Cooling rack
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Batter Base
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 10 × 15 × 1 inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Beat eggs until thick and pale, then gradually add sugar while mixing.
Step 2: Add Liquid Ingredients
Mix in milk, vegetable oil, vinegar, almond extract, and pink food coloring until evenly blended.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Sift in cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently mix until the batter is smooth with no dry pockets.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 13–15 minutes until the surface springs back lightly when touched.
Step 5: Roll and Cool
Immediately invert the hot cake onto a clean towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off parchment and roll the cake gently from the short end. Allow to cool completely while rolled.
Step 6: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until creamy and spreadable.
Step 7: Fill and Chill
Unroll the cooled cake, spread frosting evenly, then roll back up gently. Chill before slicing for clean, defined swirls.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Light sponge texture that stays soft after rolling
Creamy frosting balances sweetness without overpowering
Elegant presentation with minimal decorating
Great for celebrations, showers, and holidays
Easy to slice and serve
Can be made ahead of time
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overbaking the cake
Can cause cracking when rolling.
Solution: Bake just until the cake springs back lightly to the touch.
Skipping the initial roll
Makes the cake harder to shape later.
Solution: Roll the cake while hot to train its shape.
Using cold frosting ingredients
Creates lumps in the filling.
Solution: Bring cream cheese and butter fully to room temperature.
Rolling too tightly
Can squeeze filling out the sides.
Solution: Roll gently and evenly without pressure.
Not chilling before slicing
Leads to messy cuts.
Solution: Chill at least 30 minutes for clean slices.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve chilled with fresh berries
Pair with tea, coffee, or sparkling lemonade
Plate individual slices for showers or brunch
Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving
Add edible flowers for special occasions
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store wrapped tightly in the refrigerator up to 3 days
Do not freeze once filled, as texture may change
Slice only what you plan to serve
Keep chilled until ready to present
Avoid microwaving to preserve structure
FAQs
1. Can I use vanilla extract instead of almond?
Yes, vanilla works well for a milder flavor.
2. Why is vinegar used in the cake?
It helps create a tender crumb and enhances texture.
3. Can I make this cake a day ahead?
Yes, it actually slices better after chilling overnight.
4. How do I prevent cracks?
Roll the cake while warm and avoid overbaking.
5. Can I color it deeper pink?
Yes, add food coloring drop by drop until desired shade.
Tips & Tricks
Use gel food coloring for stronger color with less liquid
Dust the towel generously to prevent sticking
Trim the ends before serving for a polished look
Use an offset spatula for even frosting
Chill the cake roll seam-side down for stability
Recipe Variations
Strawberry Cream Roll: Add ¼ cup strawberry puree to the frosting and reduce powdered sugar slightly.
Chocolate Pink Roll: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the cake batter and adjust flour accordingly.
Lemon Cream Version: Replace almond extract with lemon extract and add zest to frosting.
Vanilla Bean Roll: Use vanilla bean paste in both cake and frosting.
Holiday Swirl: Tint frosting lightly pink and add white chocolate shavings.
Final Thoughts
Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting feels like the kind of dessert that slows people down just enough to notice the details. The soft crumb, the gentle sweetness, the way the swirl shows up differently on every slice it all feels intentional without being precious. I’ve watched it move from a baking experiment to a requested favorite, especially for moments that call for something cheerful but calm.
It’s a dessert that doesn’t need layers or heavy decoration to stand out. The color speaks softly, the texture does the rest, and the frosting brings everything together in a way that feels balanced and familiar. If you’re looking for a cake that feels thoughtful and inviting, this one earns its place on the table.
Moist Pink Velvet Cake Roll With Creamy Frosting
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes15
minutes35
minutesIngredients
- For the Cake
4 large eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon almond extract
Pink food coloring, just under ⅛ teaspoon
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
- For the Creamy Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 10×15×1 inch jelly roll pan. Beat eggs until thick and pale, then slowly add sugar.
- Mix in milk, oil, vinegar, almond extract, and pink coloring until smooth.
- Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix gently until batter is smooth.
- Spread into pan and bake 13–15 minutes, until surface springs back.
- Invert hot cake onto a sugared towel, remove parchment, roll gently from short end, and cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla; whip until creamy.
- Unroll cake, spread frosting, re-roll gently, and chill before slicing.