- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.6 × 3.7 in (9.2 × 9.4 cm)
This sweet golden sponge cake roll features a pink strawberry cream swirl, a fresh berry on top, and a cheerful kawaii face. Grab the free roll cake paper squishy template below in US Letter or A4, which includes 3 versions: full color, a line-art coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our strawberry shortcake squishy to start your own paper bakery collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your roll cake template at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale line in the top corner; it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the sponge cake, cream swirl, and strawberry now—or try a green matcha and chocolate look—and let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Cover only the front and back cake pieces with wide clear packing tape, rather than taping the entire sheet. Smooth each strip down from the center of the swirl outward without pulling or stretching the tape, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This clear layer makes your pastry shiny, strong, and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out both the front and back roll cake pieces right along the solid outer line. Take your time curving around the whipped cream and strawberry topper, and be sure to keep the small white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back cake piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape so the sticky side faces up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper. These little flaps will follow the round pastry shape and hold your squishy together.
5Join front and back
Put the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides together, lining up the strawberry tops. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down. Leave a 3.5 cm (1½ inch) gap open along the side where the pink line in the picture shows—that is your opening for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Fill the far corners first, gently tucking stuffing up into the strawberry tip and the bottom curve before filling the middle. Stop when the cake feels soft and puffy, since too much stuffing makes the seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along the entire curved outline and the strawberry top to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Done! Squeeze your kawaii cake roll and watch the puffy sponge puff right back up. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole into the back of the cake roll so the air escapes slowly.
Free Roll Cake Squishy Template
- Color
- Coloring page
- Blank, design your own
- Step-by-step guide
One free PDF: the template in three versions (pages 1–3) and the step-by-step guide (pages 4–5). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- My cake roll feels too hard. Push a small pinch of stuffing into the strawberry tip first, then fill the body lightly so it stays soft. If the cake feels too firm, open the gap, take some stuffing out, and tape it shut again.
- Smooth tape around the curves. The rounded sponge sides and berry top can wrinkle if you pull the packing tape while placing it. Use shorter strips across the cake and lay them on without stretching so the surface stays smooth.
- Fix a split seam. The slight curve between the sponge roll and the whipped cream gets extra pressure when squeezed. If an edge splits open there, put a new short strip of clear tape across the edge, overlapping the old ones.
- Stop marker colors from smearing. Dark red berry tones and pink cream swirls can smudge under packing tape if the ink is still damp. Let your markers dry fully before taping; printer ink is fine right away.
Questions
Can I make this cake paper squishy without glue?
Yes, you only need clear tape—glue won’t stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open up. Instead, the snipped tape border folded over the edge holds your cake roll together best.
What paper works best for a roll cake paper squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best because it folds softly when you squeeze it. Cardstock makes the cake roll stiff and it won’t squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my paper squishy cake with?
Tear up plastic grocery bags for a light and crinkly feel, or use cotton balls and fiberfill for a soft plush squish. You can also use small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising cake squishy.
Can I print this cake template bigger or make a bakery set?
Yes! Print the page at a larger scale like 120%, making sure to print the front and back together on the same sheet so they match; you can also craft a cinnamon roll squishy for a sweet bakery set.
Can I make these cake squishies with a class or group?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance. Kids can color the cake roll coloring page while you help with the taping—plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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