Pink Velvet Cake Roll
This Pink Velvet Cake Roll is a beautiful dessert that’s absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day! Imagine a soft, pink sponge cake wrapped around a fluffy, light cream cheese frosting—that combo makes for a dessert that’s both elegant and totally delicious. You’re going to love it!

Don’t you just love how charming cake rolls look? I remember the first time I gave one a try—I was so worried it might crack when I tried to roll it up. But here’s the surprise: it came out perfectly smooth, no cracks at all! The sponge is tender and airy, and paired with the creamy, silky cream cheese frosting, it’s a match made in dessert heaven. Honestly, this cake roll vanished so fast, and everyone was raving about it!

If you want a delightful, festive treat for Valentine’s Day, this pink velvet cake roll fits the bill perfectly. Picture yourself serving a slice with a glass of wine after a cozy dinner—sounds wonderful, right? It’s a fun spin on the classic red velvet cake roll we all know and love. The pink color feels fresh, sweet, and just right for the holiday. Plus, this cake would totally steal the show at Easter brunch or dinner with those soft pastel vibes!
Here’s a little tip I swear by: once you’ve rolled up your cake with the frosting, pop it in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. This makes the frosting firm up nicely, which helps when slicing clean pieces. And before serving, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top—it’s that simple touch that makes the cake look extra inviting and bakery-worthy!


Storage Tips
After enjoying your Pink Velvet Cake Roll, store any leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the whole cake roll wrapped well in plastic and aluminum foil for up to 1 month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
This cake roll is a great make-ahead dessert! You can bake and roll the cake one day, then make the cream cheese frosting and assemble it the next day. Keep it wrapped and chilled in the fridge. It actually tastes better after resting overnight when the flavors have melded beautifully.
Variations
- Swap out almond extract for vanilla or lemon extract for a different flavor twist.
- Try using different food coloring shades like light lavender or mint green for other celebrations.
- Add a handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries in the frosting before rolling for a fruity surprise.
- Use a dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitute to make it vegan-friendly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Pink Velvet Cake Roll on its own or pair it with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. It also goes wonderfully with a glass of dessert wine or sparkling rosé for a special occasion. For a family-friendly dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is always a hit!
Recipe FAQs
- Can I use regular flour instead of cake flour? Cake flour gives this roll its tender crumb, but if you don’t have it, use all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons per cup, replacing it with cornstarch for a similar effect.
- Why is the cake rolled while warm? Rolling the cake warm helps it set without cracking. If it cools first, it can be more brittle and likely to break.
- Can I make this ahead and freeze it? Yes! Wrap it well and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before slicing.
- How do I avoid cracks when rolling? Rolling while warm with a dusted kitchen towel and powdered sugar really helps keep the cake from cracking. Don’t roll too tightly either, just snug enough.
- Can I use another frosting? Sure! A whipped cream frosting or simple buttercream would work, but the cream cheese frosting adds that lovely tangy balance.
A soft pink velvet sponge cake roll filled with light and fluffy cream cheese frosting, perfect for Valentine’s Day or festive occasions.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 slices 1x
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Pink food coloring (about just under 1/8 teaspoon)
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 10x15x1 inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray, line with parchment paper, then spray parchment again with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until light and frothy. Gradually add sugar while beating. Stir in milk, vegetable oil, vinegar, and almond extract.
- Add pink food coloring gradually until you get a pale pink color (just under 1/8 teaspoon).
- Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into wet mixture just until combined and smooth.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan and spread smoothly. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until cake springs back lightly when pressed.
- While cake is baking, prepare a clean tea towel and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. When cake is out of oven, invert onto sugared towel, peel off parchment, and roll cake up immediately with towel from short end. Let cool completely while rolled.
- Beat cream cheese, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
- Once cake is cool, unroll gently and remove towel. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly over cake. Roll cake tightly again, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
Chill the cake roll for 1 to 2 hours after frosting to firm up the filling, which makes slicing easier., Sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving for an elegant bakery-style finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 656 kcal per serving
- Fat: 29 g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 93 g per serving
- Protein: 9 g per serving