The Best Fluffy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe for Sweet Mornings

Crafting a mouthwatering cinnamon roll cake brings pure comfort to any kitchen adventure.

Sweet aromas will dance through your home as butter melts and spices swirl.

Soft layers promise decadent moments of pure indulgence.

Memories of childhood bakery treats inspire this delightful dessert.

Warm spices blend seamlessly with tender cake textures.

Each slice transforms an ordinary afternoon into something magical.

You can create this irresistible treat that looks impressive yet feels wonderfully simple.

What Makes Cinnamon Roll Cake So Tempting

• Tackle Baking Breeze: Craft a delightful cinnamon swirl cake with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting to impress without complicated techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a warm, inviting dessert that brings families together, offering nostalgic flavors everyone from kids to grandparents will adore.
• Customize with Creativity: Personalize the cake by adjusting cinnamon intensity, adding nuts, or experimenting with frosting variations to match individual taste preferences.
• Multipurpose Dessert Magic: Shine at potlucks, weekend gatherings, or casual celebrations with a versatile treat that transitions seamlessly from breakfast to after-dinner indulgence.

What Goes into Cinnamon Roll Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises and becomes light and fluffy.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Eggs: Provide richness and help with the cake's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
• Melted Butter: Contributes to the cake's rich taste and soft texture.

• Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a sweet and aromatic swirl throughout the cake.
• Softened Butter: Helps bind the cinnamon mixture and provides a creamy texture.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Form the base of the smooth and creamy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract, Milk: Enhance flavor and adjust the frosting's consistency.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake Effortlessly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent any cake sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder

Blend until everything looks perfectly combined and clump-free.

Step 3: Create Smooth Cake Batter

• Milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter

Gently fold everything together until you have a silky, lump-free batter. Don’t overmix or you’ll make the cake tough.

Step 4: Prepare Cake Base

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly from corner to corner.

Step 5: Craft Cinnamon Swirl

• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Softened butter

Mix until you get a crumbly, spreadable texture that looks like delicious sandy goodness.

Step 6: Create Swirling Design

Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture across the cake’s surface. Then take a knife and create beautiful, meandering swirls throughout the batter.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean and the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 8: Cool Down

Remove the cake from the oven and let it chill completely on a wire rack.

Step 9: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Blend until you have a smooth, dreamy frosting.

Step 10: Frost with Flair

Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously across the top. Use an offset spatula to create elegant, swirling patterns.

Step 11: Slice and Serve

Cut into perfect squares and serve at room temperature for maximum deliciousness.

Handy Tips for Cinnamon Roll Cake Success

• Swap Flour for Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make this cake suitable for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste or texture.
• Prevent Cinnamon Sinking: Lightly dust cinnamon mixture with a sprinkle of flour before swirling to help it distribute more evenly throughout the cake.
• Master Even Baking: Rotate the pan halfway through cooking to ensure uniform heat distribution and prevent potential uneven browning or dry edges.
• Control Frosting Consistency: Add milk gradually to cream cheese mixture, stopping when you reach the perfect spreadable texture that's neither too runny nor too thick.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Enhance the cinnamon swirl by incorporating a dash of nutmeg or using dark brown sugar for a richer, more complex taste profile.

Fun Cinnamon Roll Cake Flavor Twists

• Gluten-Free Cinnamon Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same measurement proportions for a celiac-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute milk with coconut milk, use dairy-free butter substitute, and swap cream cheese frosting with cashew-based cream cheese alternative.
• Chocolate Cinnamon Fusion: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to cake batter and sprinkle dark chocolate chips within cinnamon swirl for rich chocolate undertones.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reduce brown sugar in cinnamon swirl, and opt for sugar-free cream cheese frosting alternative.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Pairing Favorites

• Savor Complementary Flavor Pairings
• Brew a rich, medium-roast coffee that balances the cake's sweetness and cuts through its creamy frosting, enhancing the cinnamon's warm notes.
• Match the Mood with Beverage
• Select a chilled glass of spiced chai latte, which echoes the cake's cinnamon undertones and provides a comforting, aromatic companion.
• Elevate Dessert Experience
• Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream to create a temperature contrast, where the cold, smooth scoop highlights the cake's warm, soft texture and amplifies its decadent profile.
• Texture-Enhancing Garnish
• Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or walnuts around the plate, adding a delightful crunch that complements the cake's soft crumb and creates a sophisticated sensory experience.

How to Store Cinnamon Roll Cake the Right Way

• Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep the cake in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent cream cheese frosting from spoiling.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place under a cake dome or loosely tented with foil to preserve moisture.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to prevent drying out. Alternatively, let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.

FAQs About Cinnamon Roll Cake You’ll Want to Know

• Is this cake difficult to make?

Not at all! This cinnamon cake is beginner-friendly and requires basic baking skills. The recipe follows simple steps and uses common ingredients found in most kitchens.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

Yes, you can make minor substitutions. For milk, use any type like whole, skim, or non-dairy alternatives. If you’re out of vanilla extract, almond extract works well. For butter, you can use margarine or vegetable oil.

• How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Check for golden brown edges and insert a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean without wet batter, your cake is done. The baking time is typically 30-35 minutes at 350°F.

Cinnamony Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Heavenly cinnamon roll cake merges classic pastry charm with moist, layered cake perfection. Swirling cinnamon ribbons and cream cheese glaze invite you to savor each indulgent, comforting bite of this nostalgic dessert.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy cake removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder until uniformly combined.
3. Create a well in the dry ingredient mixture and pour in milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Gently fold the ingredients until a smooth batter forms without overmixing.
4. Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
5. For the cinnamon swirl, blend brown sugar and ground cinnamon with softened butter until achieving a crumbly, spreadable consistency.
6. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture across the cake batter’s surface, then use a knife to create elegant swirling patterns throughout the cake.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the cake’s edges are golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10. Once the cake has cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface, creating delicate swirls with an offset spatula.
11. Slice into squares and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter consistency and better cake texture.
• Use a rubber spatula to fold wet ingredients gently, preventing overmixing that can lead to tough cake.
• Create more dramatic cinnamon swirls by using a toothpick or skewer to draw intricate patterns through the batter.
• Adapt for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend, plant-based butter, and dairy-free cream cheese for a versatile dessert option.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg