Cinnamon Twirl Roly-Poly

Name: Cinnamon Twirl Roly-Poly
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 3 large eggs; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/3 cup water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; Dash salt; 6 tablespoons butter, softened; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; FILLING:; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 to 2 teaspoons half-and-half cream or whole milk; 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional; GLAZE:; 1/4 cup butter; 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 to 3 tablespoons half-and-half cream or whole milk; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

My whole house smells incredible when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts—maple is heavenly. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York

Ingredients

3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash salt
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
FILLING:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 to 2 teaspoons half-and-half cream or whole milk
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
GLAZE:
1/4 cup butter
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons half-and-half cream or whole milk
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Line bottom and sides of a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper; grease paper.
Beat eggs on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; beat in water and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture, mixing just until combined.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until cake springs back when lightly touched, 10-12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off parchment paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, beat butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until creamy. Unroll cake; spread brown sugar mixture over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges.
For filling, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and cinnamon; gradually add cream until mixture reaches a spreadable consistency. Spread filling over brown sugar mixture. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts. Roll up again, without towel; trim ends if needed. Place on a platter, seam side down.
For glaze, heat butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until foamy and golden, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla, then add cream 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring well, until mixture reaches a pourable consistency. Slowly pour glaze over top of cake, allowing some to flow over sides. If desired, top with walnuts. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours before serving.

Test Kitchen tips

This easy-to-make cake is perfect for the holidays since it can be made at least a day ahead.

It's important to let the cake cool completely while it's rolled up. You'll find it easier to roll after it's been filled.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 396 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 341mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Cinnamon Twirl Rolly-Poly in Taste of Home November 2017

Reviews

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Average Rating:

BINGOBABEMI

Jul 6, 2018

In all honesty, I haven't made this yet - but I make one similar for most Christmas'
sarah20s

Dec 24, 2017

I was really, really hesitant to make this. I have never made a roll up cake before.. but I'm really glad I took the time to make this! I did find the topping extremely sweet though.I followed the recipe exactly and the cake turned out beautiful. No problems rolling it up and no cracks. The only thing I changed was I added a teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake itself. I will make this again, maybe with just no topping. Thanks!