Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Kimberly Stroh

I love the sweet and tart combination of any lemon dessert. This Lemon Blueberry Cake Roll is the best of two fruits, with a creamy frosting that rolls between a soft spongecake. It’s light, refreshing, sweet and tart. It’s the perfect springtime dessert and easier to make than you think!

I’ll walk you through all of the steps to make a cake roll, if you’ve never made one before. It’s actually quite easier than you think – if you know the right tricks!

Cake rolls have been around for years! They’re made in a jelly roll pan and it’s a great vintage cake style. After baking, the cake is sponge-like. It’s easily rolled because of the shape, which is perfect for the filling. The end result is a beautiful swirl that can be seen in every slice.

Lemon is such a great light and refreshing flavor and compliments the blueberry so well. Make this cake roll for any occasion, but it’s especially great in the spring or summer months. Everyone will love this homemade cake and I promise it’ll be a big hit.

Looking for even more great cake roll recipes? Check out some of these unique variations to bake:

• Cannoli Cake Roll
• Pumpkin Cake Roll With Toffee Filling
• Chocolate Swiss Cake Roll

How To Make A Lemon Blueberry Cake Roll

There are a couple of kitchen tools you’ll need to make your cake roll. Obviously, the must have is the jelly roll pan (that’s non-negotiable). Mixing bowls, an electric hand mixer and parchment paper are also used to make the cake.

When To Make This Cake & What To Serve With It

I love to make this cake for Easter or a summer BBQ. Any spring or summer occasion is the perfect time for this cake. It’s lighter, refreshing and full of zesty lemony flavor. Fresh blueberries are also best during their peak summer season from April through July.

For main course ideas, I like to add a meat. A Bourbon Glazed Ham or Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs are the perfect choice to serve in the warmer months. After a heavier main course meat, a lighter dessert is always welcomed!

How To Bake Your Lemon Blueberry Cake Roll Ahead of Time

There are two different ways to prepare your cake ahead of time. First, you can make the whole cake, as directed, and it stays fresh. I roll it onto the serving dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Make it up to 24 hours ahead of time before serving. Even with the filling, it won’t get soggy.

The second way to make the cake roll ahead of time is to bake the cake, but not fill it. You can make the filling ahead of time, and the cake, but don’t roll the cake until an hour before serving. Be sure to refrigerate the filling. Making it this way will ensure it’s completely fresh when it’s served.

Either way works well! I think it depends on your own situation and how much prep time you have for an occasion.

Tips For Making Cake Rolls

The beautiful spiral design of a cake roll can seem overwhelming if you’ve never made one previously. The worst case scenario is your Lemon Blueberry Cake Cake Roll is breaking or falling apart. Acting quick and reading up on these few cake roll tips will help you every time:

• Don’t skip adding parchment paper to your jelly roll pan prior to baking. It’s an important step to ensure your cake doesn’t stick to the pan.
• The most crucial part of the whole cake roll process is taking it out of the oven. Turn it over to your parchment paper sprinkled with powdered sugar. Or you can use a tea towel.
• Let the cake cool completely with the parchment paper or the tea towel rolled into it. This is training the cake to roll easily later. It needs to cool completely and that’s when you make the filling.
• The last step is to refrigerate the cake again so it keeps the nice spiral shape.

How To Store Leftover Lemon Blueberry Cake Roll

After the cake has cooled completely and is filled, it can stay out for several hours without worry. However, I prefer to refrigerate the cake once I’m done serving because of the ricotta cheese dairy component. It will only take a few minutes to thaw to room temperature before enjoying leftovers. For best freshness, enjoy the cake within 3-4 days of baking.

Can You Freeze This Cake?

To freeze the cake, cover the whole cake in plastic wrap. Place the cake in the back of your freezer, where temperatures vary less. Freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake on the countertop when you’re ready to serve it again. It should only take a few hours to completely thaw. Serve the cake again once thawed. Refrigerate any leftovers.

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

• Large Eggs
• Granulated Sugar
• Vanilla Extract
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Powdered Sugar
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Powdered Sugar
• Lemon Curd (Typically found in the baking section)
• Fresh Blueberries

Directions To Make Lemon Blueberry Cake Roll

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Using an electric hand mixer, Beat the eggs, gradually adding a cup of granulated sugar. Stir in water and vanilla extract.

Sift in flour, baking powder and salt, and fold batter together. Pour the batter into the pan.

Bake for 15 minutes. Cake will be springy to the touch and start to shrink away from the sides of the pan.

Lay out a sheet of parchment paper slightly longer than the cake and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar. Take off the foil or parchment paper and cut away the crusty edges of the cake.

Roll the cake up in the parchment paper sprinkled with powder sugar. Place in the refrigerator to cool.

In the meantime, whip heavy whipping cream on high, with a mixer, until cream is thick, in a medium bowl. Fold in powdered sugar and lemon curd until well combined.

Unroll cake and spread the lemon cream filling over the cake. Add blueberries over the top of the filling. Tightly roll the cake back up and refrigerate for an hour before serving. 

Sift powdered sugar over the top of the cake to garnish. Add extra blueberries to the top if desired.

To slice, run hot water over a knife and wipe dry before slicing straight through. Rinse in hot water and dry knife in between cutting each slice. This allows for a cleaner slice.