Name: Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 4 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1½ cups milk; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 2 cups powdered sugar; 5 tablespoons milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Get ready to meet your new favorite brunch treat! This Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake takes everything you adore about classic cinnamon rolls—the gooey swirls, the sweet spice, and the heavenly glaze—and bakes it all into a soft, shareable cake. No yeast, no rolling, just delicious layers of buttery cinnamon and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb, all crowned with a simple vanilla glaze. Whether you’re impressing guests or just treating yourself, this dessert promises comfort and joy in every bite.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how a few pantry staples join forces to make this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake a showstopper. Every ingredient serves a big purpose, building the cake’s fluffy crumb, rich swirl, and that signature drizzle. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone for a light, tender cake that holds its swirl beautifully.
Granulated sugar: Brings balanced sweetness and helps with that lovely golden hue.
Baking powder: Gives rise and fluffiness to ensure your cake never turns out dense.
Salt: Just enough to make all the other flavors pop.
Milk: Adds moisture, richness, and a soft crumb—dairy milk or any creamy alternative works well here.
Large eggs: Bind everything together, giving structure and richness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, making the whole cake taste like a bakery treat.
Unsalted butter (melted for cake): Gives you a moist, decadent crumb and a hint of butteriness in every slice.
Unsalted butter (softened for swirl): Essential for that luscious, cinnamon-streaked ribbon running through the cake.
Light brown sugar: Adds a gentle molasses note to the swirl that makes the cinnamon flavor cozy and irresistible.
Additional all-purpose flour (for swirl): Helps keep the cinnamon swirl thick and creamy.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice—fragrant and bold, defining every bite of your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves instantly for a smooth, shiny glaze finish.
Milk (for glaze): Loosens the powdered sugar into pourable perfection—feel free to adjust for your preferred glaze thickness.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Just a splash in the glaze for sweetness with that classic cinnamon roll aroma.

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lovingly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—no sticking allowed! In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt so they’re evenly distributed. Pour in the milk, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter, then stir until everything comes together in a smooth, lump-free batter. Pour this creamy, dreamy base into your prepared dish and spread it out evenly—it’s already smelling good!

Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Swirl

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, light brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until it’s creamy, thick, and irresistibly fragrant. This cinnamon mixture is going to infuse every corner of your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake with that classic swirl of buttery spiced sweetness.

Step 3: Swirl It In

Drop generous spoonfuls of your cinnamon mixture all over the cake batter. Now for the fun part: grab a knife and gently swirl the cinnamon topping into the batter, creating ribbons and twirls—don’t overmix, you want those delicious pockets throughout!

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let your kitchen fill with the scent of cinnamon and sugar—it’s pure magic!

Step 5: Make the Glaze

While the cake cools a bit (just enough that it’s not scorching), whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and pourable. The glaze should be silky, ready to cascade over your still-warm cake and settle into every groove.

Step 6: Glaze and Enjoy

Drizzle the glaze evenly over the slightly cooled cake. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then slice into warm, gooey squares. This is the melt-in-your-mouth moment you’ve been waiting for!

How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

Garnishes

Sprinkle a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts on top for crunch, or add a light dusting of cinnamon right over the glaze for a pretty, professional finish. A little fresh orange zest is also stunning if you want to brighten up this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake with citrus notes.

Side Dishes

Pair a generous piece with a hot cup of coffee or a creamy chai latte for the ultimate companion. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, or fluffy scrambled eggs—this cake rounds out both sweet and savory meals beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake into bite-size party snacks by slicing and skewering little cubes onto cocktail picks, or cut the cake into hearts or rounds with cookie cutters for a special occasion. For a decadent dessert, top each square with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel or maple syrup.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or seal in an airtight container. It will stay wonderfully moist at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days—just be sure to let it come to room temp before indulging for the best texture.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake, let the cake cool and avoid glazing until after thawing for best results. Wrap individual pieces or the whole (completely cooled) cake securely in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then glaze and enjoy.

Reheating

Warm slices in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds, just until the glaze gets glossy and the cake is soft. For a slightly crisped edge, reheat pieces in a toaster oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. This Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake tastes almost oven-fresh every time!

FAQs

Can I make the Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake batter ahead of time?

You can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately ahead of time, but it’s best to combine them and bake right before serving. This ensures the cake rises perfectly and stays fluffy.

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

Use a butter knife or skewer and gently swirl the mixture into the batter, making sure you create ribbons but don’t overmix—this keeps those lovely pockets of cinnamon intact for that swoon-worthy swirl.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Absolutely! A good 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend will work for this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake. The texture might be slightly different, but it’s still soft, delicious, and crowd-pleasing.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Yes! Substitute the milk for an unsweetened non-dairy milk (like almond, soy, or oat), and use a vegan butter instead of regular butter. The cake will still be rich and flavorful.

How do I know when the cake is done?

Check for a golden top and test by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake is ready to come out of the oven.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a sweet and simple crowd-pleaser, give this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake a spot at your next brunch or coffee break. It’s cozy, quick, and packed with all the nostalgic flavors you adore. Pour yourself a cup of something warm, slice a generous piece, and enjoy every soft, cinnamon-swirled bite!

Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll in the form of a delectable cake with this easy recipe. Perfect for brunch or dessert, this cinnamon roll cake features a moist, tender crumb with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a vanilla glaze on top.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix cake batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter, mix until smooth. Pour batter into the baking dish.
Prepare cinnamon swirl: In a separate bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until creamy. Drop spoonfuls of mixture over the batter and swirl gently with a knife.
Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Glaze and serve: Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake and serve warm or at room temperature.