Pumpkin Roll

Years ago (about seventeen), in the early days of my teaching career, one of the kindest students I've taught brought me a few slices of a pumpkin roll. It was my first time to try it, and needless to say, I was a fan. And, a few days later (after I bragged about how good it was), she brought me the recipe. :-) But, for some reason I never made it. I think I thought it sounded too hard. The recipe is written on yellow index cards, so I see it all the time in my recipe pile. 

The hint of fall reminded me of it. So here it is!

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 cup of sugar

2/3 cup of pumpkin

3/4 cup of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling:

1 - 8 oz bar of cream cheese

1 stick of margarine

2 cups of powdered sugar

Not pictured - flour!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray or grease and then flour a jelly roll pan. I used Crisco.

Beat eggs at high speed for 5 minutes (I know, that sounds like a long time). Gradually beat in the sugar and stir in the pumpkin. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.

Fold into the pumpkin mixture. Mix well.

Spread onto the jelly roll pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Turn out on a towel sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Roll it up in the towel and let it cool. I was terrified it would crack, but it didn't. The next time I make it, I may even roll it a little tighter.

Mix all the filling ingredients together. After the roll has cooled, unroll it and spread the filling. There is a lot of filling. Don't be alarmed when it is oozing off the edge. Next time, I may not use it all.

Roll it back up, and let it chill in the refrigerator.

This is where I messed up. I let it chill for about thirty minutes and sliced it. It was a mess, but I was impatient and wanted to try it. I covered it in foil and let it chill over night. When I finally got home from school, and tried again, it sliced perfectly and tasted great. I'm not really a big pumpkin fan, but this I like!

CHILL, slice, serve, and enjoy!
Happy Fall, Y'all,
Kathryn