Published: September 10, 2021 · Modified: May 21, 2023

This Pecan Cake Roll is so impressive, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The cake is soft and flavorful with crushed pecans, and the creamy caramel filling is totally addicting!

I love cake rolls. They are so versatile. You can make them in so many flavors. With this one, I wanted something simple, not overly rich. Something with a mild nutty flavor, and that’s just what I got.

This cake has a soft texture with lots of crushed pecans, and the creamy caramel filling is to die for!  It’s also easy to make and SO impressive!

Pecan Cake Roll.

INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE 

  • 1/2 cup cake flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 7 large eggs, separated and at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup ground pecans
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

MAKING THE CAKE BATTER

  1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding in sugar as you go.
  3. Mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl.  
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet.  Add the pecans.
  5. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the wet mixture.

INGREDIENTS FOR CARAMEL FILLING

  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 (.25-ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup boiling water
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (12 – 12.25-ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping

MAKING THE CARAMEL FILLING

  1. Add the 2 tablespoons of cold water and the gelatin to a small bowl and mix together.  Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the 1/4 cup of boiling water until dissolved.  Set aside while you whip the whipping cream.
  2. Add the whipping cream to a large mixing bowl.  Using a mixer, beat the whipping cream on medium speed until soft peaks form.  Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.  Add the caramel and beat just until combined.
  3. Beat the gelatin mixture into the whipping cream mixture just until combined.  The mixture will be runny, but it will firm up again once refrigerated.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using, or up to 2 days. 
Pecan Cake Roll.

ROLLING THE CAKE

  1. Once the cake is baked, immediately invert it onto a kitchen towel that has been generously sprinkled with powdered sugar.  Startling at a short end, gently roll the cake up with the towel.  Place the cake seem side down on a wire rack to completely cool.
  2. Once the cake is completely cooled, very gently unroll it.  
  3. Using an offset spatula, generously spread the caramel filling over the cake, stopping at about 1/2-inch from the edge.  (You will have leftover filling, but don’t worry you’ll eat it).
  4. Gently reroll the cake roll, leaving the towel behind.  Transfer the cake roll to a serving plate and cover securely with foil or plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

More cake roll recipes…

Chocolate Cake Roll

Lemon Cake Roll

Strawberry Cream Cake Roll

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Pecan Cake Roll

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  • Author: Cindy @mycountrytable
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Pecan Cake Roll is soft and flavorful with ground pecans and the caramel filling is to die for.  It’s not overly sweet but simply perfect in flavor, sweetness, and texture!  A great fall dessert!

Ingredients

Units Scale

CARAMEL FILLING (I suggest making this the day before)

  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 (.25-ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup boiling water
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 (12 – 12.25-ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping*

CAKE ROLL

  • 1/2 cup cake flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 7 large eggs, separated and at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup ground pecans
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

GARNISH

  • Powdered sugar
  • Pecan halves

Instructions

CARAMEL FILLING 

  1. Add the 2 tablespoons of cold water and the gelatin to a small bowl and mix together.  Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the 1/4 cup of boiling water until dissolved.  Set aside while you whip the whipping cream.
  2. Add the whipping cream to a large mixing bowl.  Using a mixer, beat the whipping cream on medium speed until soft peaks form.  Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.  Add the caramel and beat just until combined.
  3. Beat the gelatin mixture into the whipping cream mixture just until combined.  The mixture will be runny, but it will firm up again once refrigerated.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using, or up to 2 days. 

CAKE ROLL

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly butter a 15 x 10-inch rimmed baking sheet and line it with parchment or waxed paper.  Butter the paper and inside edges of the pan and lightly flour.  Alternately, you can use baking spray with flour in it.  Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, using a mixer, beat the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of the sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is thick and pale in color, about 3 minutes.  Set aside.
  4. In a separate large mixing bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites at high speed until soft peaks form.  Slowly add the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
  5. Add the egg mixture, pecans, butter, and vanilla to the egg whites and using a spatula gently fold the egg whites into the other ingreients.  Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
  6. Bake until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center or a toothpick comes out clean, about 10 minutes.  Do not overbake.
  7. Meanwhile, spread a clean lint-free dish towel, bigger than the baking sheet, onto a counter.  Sift powdered sugar over it. 
  8. Remove the cake from the oven and run a knife around the edges of the pan.  Immediately invert the cake onto the towel.  Gently peel off the paper.  Starting with a short end, roll up the cake and towel together.  Place seam side down on a wire rack, and allow to cool completely. 
  9. Gently unroll the cooled cake.  Spread a generous amount of the chilled caramel filling on the cake roll, stopping at least 1/4 inch from the edges.  Starting on a short end, slowly reroll the cake with filling, leaving the towel behind as you roll.
  10. Place the cake, seam side down, on a serving platter.  Sift powdered sugar over the top, and place pecan halves on the top for garnish, optional.
  11. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours before serving. 
  12. To serve, slice the cake into 1-inch thick slices, using a sharp knife, and wiping the knife clean between slices.
  13. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.  

Notes

  • *I used Smucker’s salted caramel topping, but hot caramel topping is also great.
  • You will have extra caramel filling, but don’t worry you’ll eat it.  It’s delicious!
  • I suggest making the caramel filling the day before, since it needs about 4 hours of refrigeration time.
  • Eggs separate easier when they are cold, but egg whites beat up quicker and better when at room temperature.
  • Recipe adapted from Paula Deen’s Fall Baking 2016 magazine.