Pin 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.
Last year, I made this cake roll for our annual holiday party: everyone loved choosing their own sprinkle combinations and making it uniquely festive. It was a hit with both kids and adults because decorating brought out everyone’s creativity.
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
- Unroll 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.
- Prepare Base:
- Place the cake roll seam-side down on a serving platter.
- Tint Frosting:
- Divide the vanilla frosting into three bowls. Tint one portion red, one green, and leave the third white.
- Decorate:
- 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 Accents:
- Decorate with sprinkles, mini candies, chocolate chips, colored sugar, and coconut as desired for playful sweater designs: zig-zags, polka dots, snowflakes, or reindeer.
- Set and Serve:
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to set decorations before slicing and serving.
Pin Moms, dads, and grandparents always get a kick out of seeing which sweater patterns the little ones invent: no two slices ever look the same!
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 (per serving)
Calories: 320, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 46 g, Protein: 3 g
Pin This playful cake roll is guaranteed to bring smiles to your holiday table: just slice and share the joy!
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use a chocolate Swiss roll instead of vanilla?
Yes, using a chocolate Swiss roll adds a rich base flavor that pairs wonderfully with peppermint or vanilla frosting in this decoration style.
- → What tools do I need for decorating?
An offset spatula or butter knife works well for spreading and creating patterns with frosting. Medium mixing bowls help with tinting colors separately.
- → How do I achieve the snow effect on the cake?
Sprinkle shredded coconut lightly over the frosting; it mimics a soft snow texture and adds a seasonal touch.
- → Can children participate in decorating?
Absolutely! Letting kids decorate their own sections with colors and candies makes this a fun party activity.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Cover the cake roll and refrigerate for up to 3 days to keep the frosting fresh and maintain decoration quality.