Introduction
What if you could enjoy all the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll without the rolling and waiting for dough to rise? That’s exactly what this Cinnamon Roll Cake delivers. Imagine a soft, fluffy cake swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and drizzled with a luscious glaze — it’s like a cinnamon roll in cake form!
This recipe is easy enough for a weekday treat but special enough for holidays, brunch gatherings, or cozy weekend mornings. With just 15 minutes of prep, you can have a warm, gooey cake baking in the oven and filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: 50–55 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk, eggs, and vanilla until just combined.
- Add melted butter and mix until smooth. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Add the Cinnamon Swirl
- In a separate bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture over the cake batter.
- Use a knife to swirl through the batter, creating a marble effect.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Glaze & Serve
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Drizzle over warm cake. Serve immediately for maximum gooeyness.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the batter — it keeps the cake soft.
- Swirl gently so you get pockets of cinnamon instead of mixing it all in.
- For a richer flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon swirl.
- If you love extra gooey cakes, double the cinnamon filling.
Nutrition (per serving, 12 servings)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 58g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 38g
Variations
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake: Add diced apples to the swirl mixture.
- Pumpkin Spice Twist: Add ½ cup pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to the batter.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: Replace half the milk in the glaze with softened cream cheese.
- Mini Bundt Version: Bake in mini bundt pans for individual servings.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy warm with a cup of coffee or chai latte.
- Serve as part of a brunch spread with eggs, fruit, and bacon.
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Keeps for 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Microwave slices for 15–20 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked gooeyness.

Conclusion
This Cinnamon Roll Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert — gooey, sweet, and bursting with cinnamon flavor. It’s a low-effort, high-reward recipe that everyone will rave about.
👉 Pin this recipe now, bake it this weekend, and let your kitchen smell like a bakery!
FAQs
Q1: Can I use a cake mix as a shortcut?
Yes — a yellow or vanilla cake mix works well, then just add the cinnamon swirl.
Q2: Can I make this ahead?
Yes — bake the cake, cool, and glaze before serving. Store covered at room temp.
Q3: Can I cut the sugar?
You can reduce the sugar in the swirl and glaze slightly, but it won’t be as gooey.
Q4: Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes — substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Q5: Can I bake this in a round pan?
Yes, but adjust the baking time (around 30 minutes for 9-inch round pans).
Cinnamon Roll Cake
4
servings30
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kcalIngredients
- For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
- Pour batter into the baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Drop spoonfuls over the batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm cake before serving.
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