The Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor takes everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls — from their irresistibly gooey, spiced centers to that creamy, sugary glaze — and transforms it into an unbelievably easy cake you can whip up any day of the week. This cozy dessert is soft, buttery, and shot through with ribbons of cinnamon-sugar, then topped with a vanilla-scented glaze that melts into every swirl. It’s joy in a pan, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a late-night sweet fix with friends and family.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how a few pantry staples come together to create this show-stopping treat! Each ingredient in this Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor plays an essential role, lending either richness, sweetness, or that perfectly spiced warmth everyone craves.

All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, giving it just the right tender crumb without being dense.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that classic cake texture.
Salt: Only a pinch, but it balances all the flavors and keeps things from being overly sweet.
Baking powder: Your trusty leavening agent for a fluffy, light bite.
Milk: Brings moisture and softness to the cake; whole milk is especially dreamy here.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the cake a lovely lift.
Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor and brings a touch of fragrant warmth.
Unsalted butter (melted): Infuses buttery richness that’s the hallmark of a great cinnamon roll.
For the cinnamon swirl – Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the swirl extra ooey-gooey and distributes the cinnamon perfectly.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds caramel-like sweetness and that sticky cinnamon roll magic.
All-purpose flour (for swirl): Thickens the swirl so it holds its shape in the batter.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice that delivers those signature swirls of flavor in every bite.
For the glaze – Powdered sugar: The base for a lusciously smooth glaze.
Milk (for glaze): Loosens the glaze just enough to drizzle perfectly over the cake.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with classic vanilla notes to echo what’s in the cake.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat Your Oven

Start by heating your oven to 350°F and greasing an 8×8-inch baking dish. This ensures your cake comes out with golden edges and zero sticking, making for an easy cleanup and those picture-perfect squares you’ll want to share immediately!

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Then, add the milk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix! This gentle approach means a soft, tender cake that’s never tough.

Step 3: Prepare the Swirl Mixture

In a separate, smaller bowl, blend the softened butter, brown sugar, additional flour, and ground cinnamon into a thick paste. This fragrant mixture is the secret to those irresistible, sugary ribbons threading through your cake.

Step 4: Swirl and Layer

Pour the cake batter into your prepared dish, smoothing out the top. Dollop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly across the surface, then use a butter knife to swirl it gently through the batter. Every swirl you make will become a delicious surprise in each piece!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake will be puffed, golden, and bubbling with cinnamon goodness.

Step 6: Whip Up the Vanilla Glaze

While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. This dreamy glaze should be pourable but not watery, ready to soak into the warm cake.

Step 7: Glaze While Warm

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, drizzle the vanilla glaze generously over the top. The warmth helps the glaze seep into every nook and cranny, making each bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Step 8: Cool Slightly and Enjoy

Let the cake cool for a few minutes so the flavors settle and it’s easy to slice. Serve warm and watch as everyone clamors for seconds!

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor

Garnishes

This cake is gorgeous as is, but a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts adds some nutty crunch to the top, and a light dusting of extra cinnamon just before serving gives it that “bakery window” look. For a true treat, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a warm slice!

Side Dishes

Pair your Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor with a steaming mug of coffee, a tall glass of cold milk, or even a simple fruit salad for balance. If you’re enjoying it for brunch, some crispy bacon or scrambled eggs round out the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, cut the cake into thick, rustic sticks and serve them on a platter for dipping into extra glaze. Or, use small biscuit cutters for individual, circular cakes—just like bite-sized cinnamon rolls! Pile slices high on a cake stand for a stunning, shareable dessert centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If by some miracle you have leftovers, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to five days—the flavors deepen beautifully as it rests.

Freezing

This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor freezes well! Slice the cooled cake into individual portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store in a zip-top freezer bag. You can freeze it for up to two months for emergency dessert cravings.

Reheating

To reheat, unwrap a slice and pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm and soft. For larger portions, warm in a low oven (300°F) for about 10 minutes. If you’re feeling indulgent, add a fresh drizzle of glaze right before serving.

FAQs

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Check for doneness at the 32-minute mark, but it may need a few extra minutes since the cake will be a bit thicker.

Can I make this cinnamon roll cake gluten free?

Yes—swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that your baking powder is gluten-free too, and the cake will come out just as delicious.

What if I don’t have brown sugar for the swirl?

You can substitute with an equal amount of granulated sugar and add a small spoonful of molasses if you have it; otherwise, just using granulated sugar will still give a lovely sweet swirl.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the cake?

Of course! Fold 1/2 cup of chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or golden raisins into the swirl mixture for added texture and flavor. The extras make this already cozy cake even more special.

Is it possible to prepare the batter in advance?

For the best texture, assemble and bake right before serving. However, you can make the swirl and glaze ahead of time, then whip up the batter and swirl it together just before baking.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert or breakfast bake, you really can’t go wrong with the Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor. Give it a try, share it with your favorite people, and let those gooey swirls and sweet vanilla glaze turn any day into a delicious celebration!

Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: A Sweet Swirl of Comfort and Flavor Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 9 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the warm comfort and enticing flavors of this Cinnamon Roll Cake. A delightful twist on traditional cinnamon rolls, this cake offers a perfect blend of sweetness and spice in every bite. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, it’s a must-try for any dessert lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

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

Cinnamon Swirl:

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

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add milk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter, stir until just combined, and pour into the baking dish.
Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a separate bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to form a paste. Drop spoonfuls over the batter and swirl with a knife.
Bake: Bake for 28–32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze.
Glaze and serve: Drizzle the warm cake with glaze and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

This cake is best enjoyed warm and can be reheated in the microwave.
For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the batter or swirl mixture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American