If you crave the sweet, gooey cinnamon goodness of a classic cinnamon roll but want all the cozy flavors with a fraction of the effort, the Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake was truly made for you! This dreamy dessert is swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and drizzled with a silky glaze, baking up into pure comfort food you can whip together in under an hour. Whether you’re feeding a brunch crowd or just want a sweet treat with your coffee, Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake delivers that fresh-from-the-bakery taste right from your own oven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake lies in its honest, pantry-friendly ingredients, each adding something special. These staples work in harmony for fluffy, tender cake, irresistible cinnamon swirls, and a smooth, sweet glaze that completes the experience.
- All-purpose flour: The structure and backbone of your cake—sift it for the fluffiest texture.
- Granulated sugar: Brings gentle sweetness and helps with browning the cake’s top.
- Baking powder: The leavening hero that ensures your cake rises soft and tall.
- Salt: A must for balance, making every bite more flavorful.
- Milk: Creates a tender crumb and helps the batter come together smoothly.
- Eggs: Bind everything together for structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and that lovely nostalgic flavor.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds moisture, richness, and that unmistakable homemade cake aroma.
- Brown sugar (for swirl): Delivers deep caramel notes in every gooey bite.
- All-purpose flour (for swirl): Helps the swirl mixture cling to the batter and bake up deliciously.
- Ground cinnamon (for swirl): The star spice—fragrant, sweet, and instantly comforting.
- Unsalted butter (softened, for swirl): Gives the cinnamon ribbon its luscious texture and helps it stay moist.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): The base for a creamy, smooth drizzle that melts into the warm cake.
- Milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze just enough to pour perfectly over every swirl.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Doubles up the vanilla notes for a truly decadent finish.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step ensures your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake releases flawlessly and gets those lovely golden edges. Setting the stage now means you’re ready for cake magic in just a few whisk-and-mix moments.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together first—this distributes everything evenly so you don’t have surprise pockets of flour later. Pour in the milk, crack in the eggs, add the vanilla extract, and finally the melted butter. Stir it all with loving patience until you have a smooth, thick batter without any obvious lumps. Scrape it right into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out to each corner.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl
Grab a separate bowl for the swirl—this is where the magic happens. Combine the brown sugar, a little extra flour, ground cinnamon, and softened butter. Stir until what you have looks chunky, sandy, and irresistibly fragrant, like cinnamon-roll filling. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture all over your cake batter. Now, use a butter knife to swirl through the batter, dragging the cinnamon mixture through in wide figure-eights. Swirling lets every slice of Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake get a taste of cinnamon-butter bliss.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the dish into your hot oven and let it bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Don’t rush this step—the aroma will tempt you, but give the cake time to rise and the swirls to set. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and a toothpick poked into the center comes out mostly clean (a little goo from the swirl is perfectly fine!).
Step 5: Glaze and Serve
While the cake is baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the perfect pourable glaze. Once the cake has cooled just slightly, drizzle the glaze all over that warm cinnamon-swirled top. The glaze will melt into the nooks and crannies, ensuring your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake is sweet, sticky, and impossible to resist.
How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake
Garnishes
Turn this cake into a feast for the eyes with simple toppings! A dusting of cinnamon, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a scattering of chopped pecans adds pretty texture and a little extra flavor. For extra indulgence, add a few dollops of whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Side Dishes
Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake feels right at home alongside fresh fruit salads, tangy citrus segments, or a breakfast sausage scramble for a well-rounded brunch. For coffee hour, pair it with your favorite brew or a hearty cup of tea—just be prepared for folks to beg you for the recipe!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re celebrating or entertaining, cut the cake into squares and serve on a pretty platter with swirling drizzle designs. For potlucks, bake into cupcake liners for grab-and-go portions. Or, if you want to get crafty, layer cubes of Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake into parfait glasses with whipped cream and berries for a show-stopping dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the cake has cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer individual slices to an airtight container. At room temperature, Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake will stay fresh for up to two days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge, where it will last up to four days—though you’ll probably find it disappears much faster!
Freezing
To freeze, let the cake cool completely, then wrap individual squares in plastic and foil for best protection. Store in a zip-top freezer bag and label it with the date. Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm before serving for best results.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked warmth, simply microwave individual slices for 15–20 seconds or reheat larger portions in a 300°F oven, covered with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes. Add glaze just before serving, or drizzle a little extra if you want an even gooier bite.
FAQs
Can I use a cake mix as a shortcut for Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can use a simple yellow or vanilla cake mix as your base and follow the same swirl and glaze instructions. The homemade batter offers a lovely texture, but cake mix yields a delicious and fast alternative.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the cinnamon swirl?
Yes, feel free to mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor. You could also add mini chocolate chips or a handful of raisins if you want a fun twist—just be careful not to overload, so the cake still rises evenly.
What’s the best way to slice and serve Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake?
For the cleanest squares, let the cake cool for about 15 minutes after glazing, then cut with a sharp knife, wiping between cuts. The cake is soft, so a little patience and a steady hand are your best friends here!
Can I make this gluten-free?
Definitely! Substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free as well, and you’ll have a cake that’s just as delicious for everyone to enjoy.
How do I know when Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake is done baking?
Look for a golden-brown top and test by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center. It should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs or a bit of sticky cinnamon—don’t overbake, or you’ll lose that soft, gooey texture!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something extra special about pulling a warm, sweet-smelling Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake from the oven and sharing it with people you love. Whether you’re baking for family breakfast, a coffee break, or a festive potluck, give this recipe a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Print
Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake that combines the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll with the simplicity of a cake. Perfect for brunch or dessert!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Pour into the baking dish.
- Prepare the cinnamon swirl: In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and softened butter. Swirl this mixture over the cake batter.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze.
- Finish: Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake before serving.
Notes
- This cake is best served warm but can be reheated easily.
- Try adding chopped pecans to the cinnamon swirl for extra crunch.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *