Pumpkin-Cheesecake Roll Recipe

IT'S AUTUMN.  And if you haven't caught on already, it's definitely my favorite time of year.  In the true spirit of the season, I have a couple of delicious pumpkin recipes that give a different side of the normal make it yourself type things you can do at home.  This recipe was a treat that my friend and roommate from college, Khara had given me. She brought it back with her after Thanksgiving one year and I was in heaven. That being said, it's definitely not the healthiest indulgence, but once or twice a year is definitely acceptable. Besides, it's a good twist after you've pumpkin-latted and cookies yourself to the max.

Items needed:
3/4 cup flour*
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar*
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 can (15oz) pumpkin purée
1/4 cup butter*
3 eggs
5 oz confectioners sugar
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese*

(** Some healthier alternatives include: *whole wheat or gluten free flour, *1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup honey, *smart balance butter made with olive oil, *fat free cream cheese).

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan or cookie sheet.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in pumpkin purée, eggs, and lemon juice. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread the mixture evenly by tapping or using a rubber spatula.

3. Bake for 15 minutes or until bread is browned and slightly crispy on the edges.

4. Lay a damp linen towel (wet it and ring it out to the best of your ability) on the counter, sprinkle it with confectioner's sugar, and turn the cake onto the towel. Carefully roll the towel up (lengthwise) with the cake in it.

5. Place the cake-in-towel on a cooling rack and let it cool for 20 minutes. It's really important not to unroll this too early, so the bread won't stick to the towel.

6. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and confectioners sugar with a whisk.

7. When the cake has cooled 20 minutes, unroll it and spread icing onto it. Immediately re-roll (not in the towel this time), and wrap it with plastic wrap.

8. Freeze the roll in aluminum foil. Cut the cake in slices just before serving.

Happy fall!