Few things can match the comfort and sweetness of a warm, freshly baked cinnamon roll—unless it’s in cake form! Cinnamon Roll Cake combines the gooey, cinnamon-spiced layers of a cinnamon roll with the ease and convenience of a cake. This dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving it at brunch, a family gathering, or just indulging in a sweet treat for yourself. The marbled cinnamon sugar swirls, soft cake, and luscious glaze will quickly make this a go-to recipe in your kitchen.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Cake
To make this decadent Cinnamon Roll Cake, you will need the following ingredients:
Bottom Layer:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Top Layer:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
These simple pantry ingredients come together to create layers of buttery cake, cinnamon sugar swirls, and a sweet vanilla glaze. The soft cake base provides the perfect foundation for the rich cinnamon filling, while the glaze adds a final touch of sweetness that mimics the iconic icing on a cinnamon roll.
Instructions for Cinnamon Roll Cake
1. Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and comes out easily.
2. Prepare the bottom layer:
- In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups of milk, 1 cup of white sugar, 2 eggs, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir in ¼ cup of melted butter. Mix until all ingredients are well-combined and smooth.
- Pour the batter into the greased baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
3. Prepare the top layer:
- In another bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until smooth and well-combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of this cinnamon mixture over the batter in the baking pan.
4. Create the swirl:
- Using a knife, swirl the top layer into the bottom layer to create a marbled effect. This gives the cake its signature cinnamon roll look, with pockets of cinnamon sugar spread throughout the batter.
5. Bake the cake:
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out nearly clean. Be sure not to overbake, as the cake should remain soft and moist.
6. Prepare the glaze:
- While the cake is baking, mix together 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar, 5 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth and glossy.
7. Drizzle the glaze:
- Once the cake has finished baking and is still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. The warmth of the cake will allow the glaze to melt slightly and soak into the cake, enhancing its sweetness and moisture.
8. Serve and enjoy:
- Slice the Cinnamon Roll Cake into squares and serve while still warm. The cake can also be stored at room temperature and enjoyed later—though it might not last long once people take a bite!
Serving Suggestions for Cinnamon Roll Cake
This Cinnamon Roll Cake is best served warm, allowing the glaze to melt into the cinnamon swirls and cake layers. Pair it with a cup of coffee, tea, or even hot cocoa for a comforting and delicious breakfast or dessert.
For a more indulgent treat, serve the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The combination of the warm cinnamon cake and the cool ice cream is simply divine.
If you’re hosting brunch or a holiday breakfast, Cinnamon Roll Cake can be a star attraction. It’s a fun and unexpected twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, and it’s much easier to serve to a crowd.
Helpful Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Room temperature ingredients: For the best results, make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps them combine smoothly and creates a more tender cake.
- Swirling the cinnamon layer: When swirling the cinnamon sugar layer into the cake batter, don’t be afraid to create deep swirls to ensure the cinnamon mixture is well-distributed throughout the cake.
- Baking time: Keep an eye on the cake during the last few minutes of baking. You want the cake to be slightly underbaked when you pull it from the oven so that it stays moist. A toothpick should come out mostly clean with a few crumbs attached.
- Customizing the glaze: You can adjust the consistency of the glaze by adding more or less milk, depending on your preference. If you like a thicker glaze, use less milk. For a thinner glaze, add a bit more.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 44g
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 4g
Please note that these nutritional values are estimates based on standard servings of Cinnamon Roll Cake and can vary depending on ingredient brands and exact quantities used.
Time Needed for Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
- Cool Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 55 minutes
Conclusion
Cinnamon Roll Cake brings all the flavor and joy of cinnamon rolls into a simple-to-make cake that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of the soft, fluffy cake with cinnamon swirls and a sweet vanilla glaze is irresistible. Whether you’re serving it at a special brunch or simply enjoying it with a cup of coffee, Cinnamon Roll Cake is guaranteed to please. Plus, its ease of preparation means you can whip it up without the hassle of rolling out dough like traditional cinnamon rolls. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll find yourself coming back to it time and time again!
Recipe Card
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Ingredients
Bottom Layer:
- – 3 cups all-purpose flour
- – 1 ½ cups milk
- – 1 cup white sugar
- – 2 eggs
- – 4 teaspoons baking powder
- – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- – ¼ teaspoon salt
- – ¼ cup butter melted
Top Layer:
- – 1 cup butter softened
- – 1 cup brown sugar
- – 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- – 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- – 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- – 5 tablespoons milk
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven:
- – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and comes out easily.
2. Prepare the bottom layer:
- – In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups of milk, 1 cup of white sugar, 2 eggs, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir in ¼ cup of melted butter. Mix until all ingredients are well-combined and smooth.
- – Pour the batter into the greased baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
3. Prepare the top layer:
- – In another bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until smooth and well-combined.
- – Drop spoonfuls of this cinnamon mixture over the batter in the baking pan.
4. Create the swirl:
- – Using a knife, swirl the top layer into the bottom layer to create a marbled effect. This gives the cake its signature cinnamon roll look, with pockets of cinnamon sugar spread throughout the batter.
5. Bake the cake:
- – Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out nearly clean. Be sure not to overbake, as the cake should remain soft and moist.
6. Prepare the glaze:
- – While the cake is baking, mix together 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar, 5 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth and glossy.
7. Drizzle the glaze:
- – Once the cake has finished baking and is still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. The warmth of the cake will allow the glaze to melt slightly and soak into the cake, enhancing its sweetness and moisture.
8. Serve and enjoy:
- – Slice the **Cinnamon Roll Cake** into squares and serve while still warm. The cake can also be stored at room temperature and enjoyed later—though it might not last long once people take a bite!