Menu Monday: McPumpkin Roll

The first Thanksgiving I spent with Aaron was celebrated at his parent house. I remember a conversation taking place a few days prior to turkey day in which Jim (McPepe) was telling one of us that he'll miss the pumpkin roll he used to eat every year because the person who used to make him one was no longer going be able to. I forget the exact reason but I feel like it was something about an employee who used to work for him and now no longer works there, or something or rather. I was still, some what, in the awkward, "new girlfriend" stage of the relationship so I thought, "I can try to make one and we'll see how it goes, if it's crap I'll trash it."

It was a success and I have made one for McPepe every year since.

Ingredients (from Libby's)

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin 

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.

2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

3. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

4. BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

I'm not going to lie and say it's an easy dessert to make but, it's very delicious and well worth the effort.

Enjoy McPepe's pumpkin roll!