The Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe Everyone Adores

Soft, pillowy layers of sweet dough swirled with decadent cinnamon roll cake recipe promise pure comfort in every slice.

Warm spices dance through each moist crumb, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon and butter will drift through your kitchen, tempting everyone nearby.

Rich cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that melts delicately across the tender cake surface.

Breakfast or dessert, this cake transforms a classic pastry into a shareable, crowd-pleasing treat.

Weekend baking just got more delightful with this irresistible recipe that delivers bakery-style magic right from your oven.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that brings pure joy to the table.

Cinnamon Roll Cake: The Dessert Mashup Everyone Wants

• Marble-like cinnamon patterns make this cake visually stunning and add a playful texture that transforms a simple dessert into an artistic treat.
• Perfect for beginners, this recipe involves basic mixing and simple techniques that anyone can master without advanced culinary training.
• The classic combination of cinnamon, butter, and sweet glaze delivers a nostalgic flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings and potlucks.
• With straightforward ingredients and minimal prep time, this cake becomes an excellent spontaneous baking adventure that doesn’t demand extensive kitchen commitment.

All the Essentials for Cinnamon Roll Cake Magic

• Flour: A key component that provides the structural foundation for the cake.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cake texture.
• White Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and contributes to the cake’s moisture.

• Softened Butter: Creates a creamy, rich cinnamon swirl layer.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and creates a caramel-like sweetness.
• Flour: Helps thicken the topping mixture.
• Cinnamon: Provides the signature warm, spicy flavor of cinnamon rolls.

• Confectioners’ Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combine to create a smooth, sweet glaze that adds a finishing touch to the cake.

Cake Baking Tools to Make Cinnamon Roll Swirls

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients thoroughly and preparing both cake layers.
• Whisk or electric mixer: Perfect for beating and blending ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Crucial for creating the cake’s base and ensuring even baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helpful for stirring and spreading batter evenly.
• Knife: Used for creating the beautiful swirl pattern on top of the cake.
• Small bowl: Useful for preparing the glaze.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.

Layering and Baking Cinnamon Roll Cake Flawlessly

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C).

Grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

• Flour
• Milk
• White sugar
• Eggs
• Baking powder
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Whisk everything together until smooth.

Gently fold in melted butter.

Pour this dreamy mixture into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 3: Craft Cinnamon Swirl Topping

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Cinnamon

Mix until the texture is creamy and irresistible.

Using a spoon, dollop this mixture across the cake batter’s surface.

Step 4: Create Marbled Magic

Take a knife and gently drag it through the batter and topping, creating beautiful swirls and patterns.

This will give your cake a gorgeous marbled look.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out nearly clean, around 25-30 minutes.

Step 6: Whip Up Sweet Glaze

• Confectioners’ sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Stir until silky smooth.

Step 7: Finish with Glaze

Once the cake is warm, drizzle the glaze generously over the top, letting it cascade down the sides.

Secrets to Gooey, Swirled Cake Perfection

• Use a butter knife or wooden skewer to create gentle, sweeping motions through the batter for a beautiful marbled cinnamon pattern without overmixing.
• Ensure eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature for smoother batter and more consistent cake texture.
• Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and crispier cake edges.
• Pour the glaze over the cake while it’s still warm to help it seep into the cake and create a more delicious, moist result.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its soft, tender crumb.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Variations for Extra Sweetness

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure baking powder is gluten-free. Maintain same measurements and baking process for a celiac-friendly cake.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute milk with almond milk or coconut milk. Use dairy-free margarine instead of butter. Keep all other ingredients and preparation techniques consistent.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of white and brown sugar. Cut sugar quantity by half and add extra spices like nutmeg or cardamom for enhanced flavor profile.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. Use plant-based milk and vegan butter substitute. Maintain original cake texture and cinnamon swirl technique.

Ideas for Serving Cinnamon Roll Cake Warm or Cold

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair this cinnamon roll cake with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a delightful morning treat.
• Sweet Celebration Slice: Serve at brunch gatherings or potlucks as a crowd-pleasing dessert that offers a twist on traditional cinnamon rolls.
• Ice Cream Dream Topping: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a warm slice to create a decadent and indulgent dessert experience.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Enjoy with a cup of Earl Grey tea for a perfect midday pick-me-up that satisfies sweet cravings.

How to Keep Leftover Cinnamon Roll Cake Fresh

• Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap cake securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices on a microwave-safe plate for 15-20 seconds. Add a small splash of milk to prevent dryness and maintain moisture.
• Warm cake in a preheated 300F oven for 10-15 minutes. Cover loosely with foil to keep edges from burning and preserve the cake’s soft texture.

FAQs

• What makes the cinnamon flavor stand out in this cake?

The brown sugar and cinnamon mixture creates a rich, intense flavor layer that gets swirled throughout the cake, ensuring every bite has a warm, spicy cinnamon taste.

• Is this cake difficult to make for beginner bakers?

No, this cake is quite simple. It uses basic ingredients and requires just a few easy steps like mixing layers and creating a swirl pattern, making it perfect for home bakers of all skill levels.

• Can I adjust the sweetness of the cake?

Yes, you can reduce the white sugar in the bottom layer or use less glaze if you prefer a less sweet dessert. The recipe allows flexibility in sugar content without compromising the overall texture.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich cinnamon roll cake delivers classic bakery flavors in a delightful sheet cake form. Warm spices and sweet cream cheese glaze make this dessert a comforting treat you’ll want to share with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (200 g) white sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) butter, softened
• 14 cup (57 g) butter, melted

Leavening and Flavoring:

• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Topping and Glaze:

• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (240 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease to prevent sticking.
2. Create the base layer by combining flour, milk, white sugar, eggs, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend until ingredients are evenly incorporated, then gently fold in melted butter until smooth.
3. Carefully transfer the base layer batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the surface.
4. Craft the cinnamon topping by whipping softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl until the mixture becomes creamy and well-blended.
5. Dollop the cinnamon mixture over the cake batter in random spoonfuls, ensuring distributed coverage.
6. Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon topping through the base layer, creating intricate marble-like patterns throughout the cake.
7. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted near the center emerges almost clean.
8. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
9. Once the cake has finished baking, remove from the oven and immediately drizzle the glaze generously across the warm surface, allowing it to seep into the cake’s texture.

Notes

• Softening butter is crucial for achieving a smooth, even mixture in the top layer, ensuring a consistent cinnamon swirl throughout the cake.
• Use room temperature eggs to help ingredients blend seamlessly and create a more uniform cake texture.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s rich flavor and tender crumb.
• Adjust cinnamon intensity by increasing or decreasing the amount to suit personal taste preferences without compromising the cake’s structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 338
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 58 mg