Pumpkin Roll Troubleshooting: Tips for Unrolling & Re-Rolling

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around troubleshooting issues related to making Pumpkin Rolls, particularly focusing on the challenges of unrolling and re-rolling the cake. Participants share their personal experiences and tips regarding baking techniques and materials used.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with unrolling and re-rolling their Pumpkin Roll, seeking advice on potential mistakes and alternative pans.
  • Another participant clarifies that a large bar pan is equivalent to a jelly roll pan.
  • Several users mention using waxed paper and discuss its drawbacks, suggesting parchment paper as a better alternative.
  • One participant shares their experience of using parchment paper successfully, noting it helps with rolling and cooling times.
  • Another participant discusses the challenges of rolling tightly and the issues with cracking when unrolling, expressing interest in the effectiveness of parchment paper.
  • One participant describes a method of using parchment paper for both baking and rolling, suggesting that timing and temperature affect the ease of rolling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best materials and techniques for rolling the Pumpkin Roll, with some participants advocating for parchment paper while others mention using towels with powdered sugar. No clear consensus emerges on a single best method.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal baking experiences, emphasizing the variability in results and the importance of technique and materials used in the process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants and home bakers looking for insights into improving their Pumpkin Roll-making techniques.

KristyH
Messages
22
I want to make a Pumpkin Roll and when I've made it in the past, I seem to have trouble. My cake usually doesn't 'unroll' and 're-roll' very well. Does anyone have any tips??? I wonder if I'm doing something wrong!! Can I use the Large Bar Pan instead of a Jelly roll pan? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!!
 
The large bar pan is a jelly roll pan - they're the same size as each other.
 
Do you cook it on waxed paper? Sometimes mine are perfect other times I have issues....not alot of help here...i think it is a touchy recipe!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Hehe! I guess that was a silly question about the bar pan! :D

I did use wax paper when I have tried it in the past. Maybe it's all about the cooling times?? I found a recipe that has specific cooling times, and the one I've used in the past didn't have that.
 
I have made these two years running for Thanksgiving (as a way of completely winning over the father-in-law, who would probably PAY for a homemade one each year!). The first year I totally didn't know what I was doing and the rolling/re-rolling was tough, but last year I figured out that parchment paper is my friend. Bake it on parchment paper and then use the paper to help you roll it the first time and let it cool almost all the way before you unroll, spread the frosting on and re-roll. And the flour/sugar shaker is perfect for powdered sugar to sprinkle on top! :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
sklay723...do you just use the parchment paper to roll it or do you still use the towel with powdered sugar on it?
 
lisa717 said:
Do you cook it on waxed paper? Sometimes mine are perfect other times I have issues....not alot of help here...i think it is a touchy recipe!

You shouldn't bake on waxed paper, you should use parchment. Waxed paper is similar, but the wax has a lower melting point and will actually get on your food when you bake with it. The silicone that's used in parchment won't melt.
 
KristyH said:
sklay723...do you just use the parchment paper to roll it or do you still use the towel with powdered sugar on it?

I'd love to hear the answer to this as well. I did the traditional recipe with rolling it on a powdered towel and it didn't roll up very tight and when I unrolled it, it cracked almost all the way through in two spots. Re-rolling was a nightmare.

It certainly would make it easier to just roll it in the parchment paper. It shouldn't stick should it?
 
Parchment paper is your friend! I love the roll recipes.
 
OK, I cheat and use parchment paper to roll it. I bake it in parchment (lining the pan), and then I flip it out onto parchment that is laid across a towel. The towel thing has always messed with my head (lint anyone? mmmm...), and I didn't think the parchment would hurt anything.
As for it breaking up when you roll and unroll, I've just tried to work on getting it unrolled again before it's fully cooled. The icing gets runny that way, but if you ice it and roll it back up again fast enough and put it in the fridge right away to set, usually you can salvage it. When the cake is still a bit warm and moist, that's when it's easier to unroll and roll back up...if you wait til it's fully cooled, you will definitely have trouble with it breaking apart. I'm far from the expert on this, so take it with a grain of salt, but that's what has worked for me. :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my pumpkin roll cracks when I try to unroll it?

If your pumpkin roll cracks while unrolling, don't panic! This can happen if the cake is too cold or if it was baked too long. To fix it, gently press the cracked areas together and use frosting to cover the cracks once you re-roll it. Make sure to let the cake cool slightly before unrolling it next time, and consider rolling it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How can I prevent my pumpkin roll from sticking to the pan?

To prevent sticking, make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper and grease it lightly. Additionally, dusting the parchment with a bit of flour can help create a barrier. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting it onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar, which will help it release more easily.

What is the best way to re-roll a pumpkin roll if it breaks?

If your pumpkin roll breaks, carefully spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire surface of the cake. Then, gently re-roll it, starting from one end. The frosting will help hold the cake together and mask any cracks. Wrap the re-rolled cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour to help it set.

Can I fix a pumpkin roll that has become too dry?

Yes, if your pumpkin roll is too dry, you can add moisture by brushing it lightly with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water. You can also add a bit more frosting between the layers when you re-roll it to help keep it moist. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much moisture can make the cake soggy.

What should I do if my pumpkin roll is too thick to roll?

If your pumpkin roll is too thick to roll, it may have been baked too long or at too high of a temperature. To salvage it, try slicing the roll into thinner sections and re-rolling those pieces. Alternatively, you can layer the slices with frosting to create a pumpkin roll cake instead of a traditional roll. Adjust your baking time and temperature for future attempts to achieve a thinner, more pliable cake.

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