Description
Easter Cake Roll is a soft vanilla sponge cake baked with pastel tie dye swirls and filled with smooth, creamy buttercream. This colorful spring dessert is perfect for Easter brunch, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations. It is simple to prepare using a boxed cake mix and creates a stunning presentation with every slice.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 white cake mix plus ingredients listed on the box
Purple gel food coloring
Yellow gel food coloring
Pink gel food coloring
Blue gel food coloring
For the Buttercream Filling:
1 half cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Thoroughly grease a jelly roll pan with shortening and lightly dust it with flour. Proper pan preparation is essential to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
Mix the white cake batter according to the package directions. Once fully combined, divide the batter evenly into four separate bowls.
Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl. Stir well until each portion is evenly tinted with bright, smooth color. Gel food coloring works best because it produces vibrant shades without thinning the batter.
Transfer each colored batter into its own zip top bag. Snip a small corner from each bag. Pipe diagonal stripes of each color across the prepared pan, alternating shades until the surface is covered. Fill in any empty spots with remaining batter.
Gently tap or shake the pan to level the batter evenly.
Using a toothpick, lightly drag through the colored stripes in gentle curves to create a tie dye pattern. Avoid over mixing so the colors stay distinct.
Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the cake is set and springs back lightly when touched. Be careful not to overbake, as this can cause cracking later.
Place a clean kitchen towel on a flat surface and lightly dust it with flour. Immediately flip the baked cake onto the towel. Lightly sprinkle flour over the top and cover with another towel.
Starting from one end, roll the cake up tightly with the towels inside. Rolling while warm helps maintain flexibility and prevents cracks. Allow it to cool completely in the rolled position.
Notes
Roll the cake while it is still warm to prevent cracks.
Do not overbake, as this can cause the cake to break when rolling.
Gel food coloring provides brighter pastel shades without thinning the batter.
Cream cheese frosting can be used instead of buttercream for a tangy variation.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American