In the last three days, I've made Pumpkin Cake Roll twice. Apparently I was so eager to have it this year that I promised it for multiple social occasions. I'm just glad that Spyder reminded me I'd offered to make one for tonight's blogger meetup. Otherwise, I might have forgotten.
I've come to the conclusion that I am incapable of rolling one up without having the cake crack into large sections. Fortunately the filling sticks it together, but it would certainly look nicer if that didn't happen. I wonder if it's my Airbake pan that's causing that to happen? I suppose I could eventually get a regular jelly roll pan and see if that helps.
Here's a little baking tangent that's only relevant because it concerns something I happen to like. Via a comment by Monkey on Rancid Raves, I've learned way more than I wanted to know about Cool Whip. Ew. I guess it's time I switched to whipped cream like a grownup. It'll be the kind in the can, though, because that's so much more fun.
If you find any typos in today's post, it's because Xena decided that she needed to drape herself across my arm the entire time I was composing it. She's gone on to add "nipping the inside of my elbow" and "hooking a claw in my forearm" to her list of intrusions as I finish this up, so I'll just say "Happy Friday" and sign off.
Ha! I just sent that Cool Whip link to my friend who was just telling me how much she likes Cool Whip. She's gonna kill me...
Posted by: Pharmgirl | October 26, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Not sure where I link to you from, but why did you have to go and tell me about the cool whip. Whatever, I am still eating it. Lube and all.
And about the cake cracking. I do mine in a regular pan, but i also roll it up in a dish towel right out of the oven, let it cool then spread the cream stuff once it is cool. My mother and grandmother taught me this and it works great.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 26, 2007 at 08:28 AM
mmm polysorbitol 60.....
Posted by: super des | October 26, 2007 at 08:48 AM
Stephanie - I roll mine up in a dish towel sprinkled with powdered sugar and let it cool per the instructions. I've even experimented with different kinds of dish towels, but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Posted by: Average Jane | October 26, 2007 at 08:55 AM
Cool Whip - YUCK. That article only stiffened my resolve to not use it. Bah. It took me less than 2 minutes to whip up some real cream for the dish I was making. The only downside of real cream is that your dish will fall flat by the end of the next day. But, the dish is still pefectly edible and so much more flavorful.
Posted by: cagey | October 26, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Yeah, the cracking problem happens no matter what. That is what a sprinkling of powdered sugar is for...camouflage.
If you taste cool whip, really taste it, you realize instantly how horrible it is.
Posted by: Suebob | October 27, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Step 1 When I Get Home: Copy all of Average Jane's recipes and learn to COOK!!!!! :)
Posted by: blondie | October 28, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Sooo fun meeting you Friday night! And also... that pumpkin cake roll you brought was as good as sex. Omgosh. *love*
Posted by: Kristine | October 28, 2007 at 11:17 AM
I LOVE pumpkin roll, but I have never, ever tried to bake one myself, because I am so intimidated by the whole "roll it up in a dish towel" thing. What kind of dish towel? Terrycloth? Cotton? Tea towel? I just can't bring myself to even try it.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 28, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Loved the pumpkin roll!!!! Was great meeting you. Hope you come to the next blogger gathering.
Posted by: Spyder | October 28, 2007 at 10:38 PM