Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cinnamon Roll Cake is the perfect mashup of gooey cinnamon rolls and fluffy cake. It’s easy to whip up with basic pantry ingredients, and it fills your kitchen with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. The cinnamon sugar swirl melts into the cake, creating moist, flavorful bites, while the glaze on top adds just the right touch of sweetness. Whether served warm with a cup of coffee or cooled as a dessert, this cake is sure to be a favorite.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the Cake Batter:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Make the Cinnamon Swirl:

Combine Swirl Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until a thick paste forms.
Swirl into Cake: Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture over the cake batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl it through the batter, creating a marbled effect.

Bake:

Bake the Cake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly while you prepare the glaze.

Make the Glaze:

Whisk the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.

Finish and Serve:

Drizzle the Glaze: While the cake is still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
Serve Warm or Cooled: Cut into squares and serve warm for a gooey cinnamon roll experience, or let it cool completely for a firmer, sliceable cake.

Enjoy!

This Cinnamon Roll Cake is now ready to enjoy—sweet, spiced, and absolutely irresistible.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12-16
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes

Variations

Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon swirl before baking for added crunch.
Maple Glaze: Swap some or all of the milk in the glaze for maple syrup for a maple cinnamon roll flavor.
Cream Cheese Glaze: Add 2 oz of softened cream cheese to the glaze for a tangy twist.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Reheat slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to enjoy warm.
Freezing: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

FAQs

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes! This cake can be made the night before and served the next day. Just cover tightly and store at room temperature or in the fridge.

Can I use boxed cake mix?

For a shortcut, you can use a yellow or vanilla cake mix as the base and prepare the cinnamon swirl and glaze as directed.

What’s the best way to swirl the cinnamon?

Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon filling into the batter without overmixing—it’s okay to leave thick ribbons for the best gooey texture.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to substitute the regular flour.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Cake is a mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing treat that brings all the goodness of classic cinnamon rolls with a fraction of the effort. With its moist crumb, swirls of cinnamon sugar, and a drizzle of sweet glaze, this cake is sure to become a go-to recipe for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Serve it warm, and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!