Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

If you love the irresistible flavor of cinnamon rolls but crave something a little faster and even easier, Cinnamon Roll Cake is about to become your new favorite treat! This cake manages to capture everything that’s magical about classic cinnamon rolls: the sweet, buttery swirls, the gooey cinnamon filling, and that cloud-like vanilla glaze on top. But best of all, there’s zero yeast or rolling—just a quick batter, a generous cinnamon ripple, and straight to the oven. Every bite is like the best part of a cinnamon roll, and you won’t believe how simple it is to bring all that comfort home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of pantry staples to make this Cinnamon Roll Cake. Each ingredient has a purpose—some bring fluffiness, some add depth of flavor, and others deliver that signature gooey swirl. Here’s how they all work together to create magic:

• All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, giving it a sturdy yet tender crumb.
• White granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with that beautiful golden top.
• Baking powder: This ensures your cake rises perfectly light and fluffy.
• Eggs: Binding and adding richness for a perfectly structured cake.
• Vanilla extract: Delivers layers of cozy, fragrant flavor in both the batter and the glaze.
• Milk: Brings moisture and a slight creaminess throughout the cake.
• Salted butter (melted): Adds richness to the batter and keeps things moist.
• Salted butter (softened): Essential for that buttery-cinnamon swirl—make sure it’s soft, so it mixes easily.
• Light brown sugar: In the filling, this gives that classic caramel-y cinnamon roll flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: The star of the show—fragrant, spicy, and so warming.
• Powdered sugar: Perfect for making a glossy, smooth vanilla glaze to drizzle on top.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it well with nonstick spray (if it contains flour, even better, for easy release). A well-prepped pan ensures every slice of Cinnamon Roll Cake comes out effortlessly—no sticking!

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix everything just until it’s combined and no flour streaks remain. As your mixer runs on low, slowly drizzle in the melted butter. Be careful not to overmix; you want a tender, airy crumb instead of anything rubbery.

Step 3: Spread the Batter

Once your Cinnamon Roll Cake batter is ready, pour and spread it evenly into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to coax it into the corners so you get that uniform rise (and so every bite gets a little swirl magic).

Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Swirl Filling

In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, light brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. This mixture should be thick but spreadable—almost like a cinnamon-spiked paste. This is where all the personality comes in!

Step 5: Swirl It Up!

Drop generous spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling all over the cake batter—spread them out to get cinnamon in every bite. Then, take a butter knife and drag it through both the batter and filling, swirling back and forth to create ribbons and marbled magic. Don’t be shy; that’s where the wow-factor happens!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and your kitchen smells like a bakery. The edges should be golden, and the swirl should look glossy and inviting.

Step 7: Glaze the Cake

While your Cinnamon Roll Cake is cooling just a little, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Pour this dreamy glaze across the warm cake, letting it soak into the crevices and set into a tempting, shiny layer. Slice and serve warm, or let it cool for cleaner cuts—the choice is yours!

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cake

Garnishes

For an elegant finishing touch, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon over the top, or add a few toasted pecans or walnuts. Sometimes a delicate dusting of powdered sugar on top of the glaze adds an even dreamier look and a little sparkle for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Cinnamon Roll Cake pairs beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or a cold glass of milk. For an indulgent brunch, try setting it alongside a bowl of fresh berries or tangy Greek yogurt to balance the warmth and sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

You can slice this cake into perfect squares for a brunch buffet, serve it slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a dessert, or cut it in small cubes and arrange it with toothpicks for a fun, shareable potluck treat. Try drizzling a little caramel sauce over the top for an extra-special twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. Cinnamon Roll Cake stays delicious at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors seem to meld and deepen as it sits!

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! Cut fully cooled slices and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then tuck them into a freezer bag. You can enjoy Cinnamon Roll Cake for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready for a treat.

Reheating

Warm slices in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness and make the glaze a little gooey again. If reheating several pieces, cover your baking dish with foil and warm in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10–12 minutes. It’ll taste fresh-from-the-oven all over again.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?

Absolutely! Just add a pinch of extra salt to both the batter and cinnamon filling—this helps balance the sweetness and brings out all the cozy flavors.

Can Cinnamon Roll Cake be made gluten-free?

Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your blend includes xanthan gum for structure, and everything else in the recipe should work just the same.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

No problem! Simply double all ingredient amounts and use two 9×13-inch pans or a large sheet pan. Keep an eye on the bake time, as a thicker cake may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

What’s the best way to swirl the cinnamon filling?

The best results come from dropping spoonfuls of filling evenly over the batter, then using a butter knife to “figure eight” through both layers. Don’t overmix—distinct swirls lead to gorgeous slices!

Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?

No mixer? No problem! You can easily mix the batter and filling by hand—just be gentle so you don’t overwork the flour. The key is stopping as soon as your batter is smooth.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll Cake has all the nostalgic comfort of homemade cinnamon rolls with none of the fuss. Every slice is warm, gooey, and guaranteed to bring a smile. Gather your ingredients, invite someone you love into the kitchen, and make a memory—you’ll be baking this gem again and again!

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