Save to Pinterest A festive, whimsical cake roll decorated to resemble a classic holiday ugly sweater, using store-bought ingredients for a fast and fun dessert perfect for parties.
I first made this Ugly Sweater Cake Roll for our annual holiday bash, and it instantly became the centerpiece of the dessert table. Everyone loved getting creative with the decorations and adding their own festive touch to the cake.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 store-bought vanilla or chocolate Swiss roll cake (about 13–16 oz / 370–450 g)
- Filling (optional, for extra flavor): 1/2 cup (120 ml) whipped cream or vanilla frosting
- Decoration: 1 1/2 cups (180 g) vanilla or cream cheese frosting, Red and green gel food coloring, Assorted holiday sprinkles, mini candies, and colored sugar, 1/4 cup (30 g) mini chocolate chips or candy pearls, 1/4 cup (25 g) shredded coconut (optional, for snow effect)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Carefully unroll the store-bought Swiss roll cake. If desired, spread an even layer of whipped cream or frosting over the inside, then gently reroll the cake.
- Position the Cake:
- Place the cake roll seam-side down on a serving platter.
- Tint the Frosting:
- Divide the vanilla frosting into three bowls. Tint one portion red, one green, and leave the third white.
- Decorate the Cake:
- Using an offset spatula or butter knife, frost the cake roll with the colored frostings in sections or fun patterns to mimic the look of a holiday sweater.
- Add Decorations:
- Decorate with sprinkles, mini candies, chocolate chips, colored sugar, and coconut as desired to create playful sweater designs: zig-zags, polka dots, snowflakes, or reindeer.
- Chill and Serve:
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to set the decorations before slicing and serving.
Save to Pinterest Last Christmas, my family gathered around the table, each person designing a section of the cake in their favorite holiday colors. It was hilarious seeing the wild patterns and made for perfect holiday photos!
Required Tools
Offset spatula or butter knife, medium mixing bowls, food-safe gloves (optional for coloring frosting), serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy). May contain soy and nuts, depending on store-bought cake and decorations.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 46 g, Protein: 3 g (per serving)
Save to Pinterest This Ugly Sweater Cake Roll adds playful cheer to any holiday spread and brings everyone together for creative, sweet fun!
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of cake works best for this dessert?
A store-bought vanilla or chocolate Swiss roll cake provides an ideal base that's easy to unroll and decorate.
- → Can I add filling inside the cake roll?
Yes, spreading whipped cream or vanilla frosting inside adds extra flavor and moisture before re-rolling.
- → How do I achieve the colorful sweater patterns?
Divide vanilla frosting into portions, tint them with gel food coloring, and use a spatula to create festive designs on the cake roll.
- → Are there decoration ideas for a holiday theme?
Use red and green sprinkles, mini candies, chocolate chips, colored sugar, and shredded coconut to mimic classic sweater motifs like snowflakes and zig-zags.
- → What is the best way to serve this cake roll?
Chill the decorated roll for at least 15 minutes to set the frosting, then slice and serve chilled for a neat presentation.
- → Can children participate in decorating?
Absolutely, decorating the cake roll can be a fun and interactive activity for kids to design their own sweater sections.