Description

Cinnamon Roll Cake is an easy-to-make, sliceable dessert that captures the warm, comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls. Featuring gooey cinnamon swirls and a sweet, smooth glaze atop a moist, tender cake, it is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or anytime sweet cravings strike. This recipe skips the fuss of rolling dough while delivering rich, aromatic cinnamon ribbons in every bite, making it a delightful, shareable treat for family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
½ cup milk or cream (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free version)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons melted butter

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk (or dairy-free alternative)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the batter: Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat softened butter with eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually combine wet ingredients into the dry, mixing gently until just incorporated to form a silky batter without overmixing.
Make the cinnamon swirl filling: In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter until fully combined to create the fragrant cinnamon mixture.
Layer the batter and swirls: Pour half of the batter into a greased baking pan and smooth the surface. Drizzle half of the cinnamon filling over the batter in a ribbon pattern. Pour the remaining batter on top, then spoon the rest of the cinnamon filling over it. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter to create marbled ribbons without fully mixing.
Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden on the edges and tender inside. Start checking at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Prepare and add the glaze: While the cake cools slightly, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Drizzle this glaze generously over the warm cake, letting it melt into every swirl and crevice for a sweet, glossy finish.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best batter consistency and even baking.
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake tender rather than dense.
Swirl the cinnamon filling gently with a twisting motion to create visible ribbons without blending completely.
Check the cake early during baking to prevent drying out the crumb.
Glaze the cake while it is still warm for optimal absorption and shine.
To make a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with plant-based milk and eggs with flax eggs; replace butter with vegan alternatives.
For gluten-free, use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and omit baking powder if using self-rising gluten-free flour.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
Calories: 310 kcal
Sugar: 27 g
Sodium: 160 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 1.5 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg