Birthday Cake Rolls

One of the most versatile recipes on Jenna Rae Cakes at Home is our Birthday Cake Rolls! We love swapping the Liquid Cake Batter for any of our other liquid flavours to keep all the sweet roll goodness you crave, while adding unique flavours each time you make them! Our latest variation— Sugar Cookie Rolls using our Liquid Sugar Cookie!

☕️ Birthday Cake Rolls (makes 12 rolls) ☕️

Birthday Cake Rolls:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole (3.25%) milk
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons JRC Liquid Cake Batter, Liquid Sugar Cookie, or flavouring of choice
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs

Birthday Cake Roll Filling:
1/3 cup margarine
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon milk powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 3 drops hot pink gel food colouring, or colour of choice
2 tablespoons long rainbow sprinkles
1 tablespoon round rainbow sprinkles

Birthday Cake Crumble:
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons skim milk powder
1 1/2 teaspoons long rainbow sprinkles
1 1/2 teaspoons small, round rainbow sprinkles
1/8 teaspoons alt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/16 teaspoon JRC Liquid Cake Batter, Liquid Sugar Cookie, or flavouring of choice (optional)

Birthday Cake Icing:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups icing sugar
3 tablespoons whole (3.25%) milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon JRC Liquid Cake Batter, Liquid Sugar Cookie, or flavouring of choice
1 to 2 drops hot pink gel food colouring, or colour of choice

Garnish:
1/2 cup JRC Candy Sprinkles or your favourite sprinkle mix

Method:
Birthday Cake Rolls:

1. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine approximately half of the flour, and the sugar, yeast, and salt on low speed, until just combined. Replace the whisk attachment with the dough hook attachment.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat (or in a heat-resistant bowl in the microwave), heat the milk and butter until the butter is completely melted and the temperature is between 90℉ and 95℉. Whisk in the flavouring and vanilla.
4. With the mixer on medium-low speed, slowly pour in the warm milk mixture, followed by the eggs. Knead until the dough starts to come together. Increase the speed to medium. Gradually add the remaining flour. The dough should begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough still seems too wet, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup at a time. Continue kneading the dough for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the dough is shiny and unified and a gluten window has formed.
5. Spray a medium bowl with a cooking spray. Transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Let rest in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Birthday Cake Roll Filling:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the margarine, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, milk powder, vanilla, and salt on low speed for 30 seconds to combine. Scrape the bowl. Whip on high speed for 1 minute. Add the food colouring. Whip on high for 1 minute, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Birthday Cake Crumble:

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, skim milk powder, sprinkles, and salt to combine.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla, and flavouring (if using) to combine. Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and mix with a spatula until combined. Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 2 to 4 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Break up the crumble into smaller pieces using a spatula. Let cool to room temperature.
4. Store the crumble in an airtight container at room temperature.

Birthday Cake Rolls:

1. Uncover the dough and punch it down. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured counter. Use a rolling pin to roll out a retangle about 12 by 20 inches. Use an offset spatula to spread the Birthday Cake Roll Filling evenly across the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch strip without filling along one of th elong edges of the rectangle. Sprinkle the filling with Birthday Cake Crumble, and long and round rainbow sprinkles. Starting at the long edge of the dough covered in filling, roll it into a log. The edge without filling should run along the length of the log. Use a serrated knife to cut the log into 12 equal cylinders.
2. Arrange the rolls in the prepared baking dish with an equal amount of space in between. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let rest in a warm place until the buns have doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and spring back from pressed lightly. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Birthday Cake Icing:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the butter on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the icing sugar. Whip on low speed for 1 minute. Add the milk, vanilla, and flavouring. Whip on high speed for 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the food colouring. Whip on medium-high speed for an additional 2 minutes..

Assembly:

1. Use an offset spatula to evenly spread the Birthday Cake Icing over the rolls. Sprinkle with Sprinkles and serve immediately.
2. These rolls are best enjoyed fresh. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Baker's Tip: Be careful not to roll the buns too tight. If you do, the middle will start to pop out the top of the bun while rising and baking. Gently roll the dough, without stretching it or leaving gaps between the rolls.

Find more recipes in our cookbook, Jenna Rae Cakes and Sweet Treats, over 100 recipes for the modern baker, and Jenna Rae Cakes At Home, featuring our favourite recipes to make for family and friends.