Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake: The Perfect Swirled Dessert

Imagine the warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon rolls filling your kitchen, but with far less fuss! This delightful cinnamon roll cake delivers all that beloved flavor in an incredibly easy-to-make cake format. You’ll love its moist, tender crumb, decadent cinnamon swirl, and sweet vanilla glaze. It’s truly the ultimate shortcut to a dreamy dessert, perfect for any occasion without the intimidation of traditional rolls. Get ready to bake pure joy!

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cake

You’ll adore this simple dessert for so many wonderful reasons:

• It captures the comforting, sweet flavor of classic cinnamon rolls.
• This cake is significantly easier and quicker to prepare than traditional rolls.
• It’s versatile enough for a special breakfast treat or a delightful dessert.
• You can whip up this recipe using everyday pantry staples you likely already have.
• The cinnamon roll cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
• Quick prep time means you get delightful, impressive results with minimal effort.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your moist and flavorful cinnamon roll cake.

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted (slightly cooled)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Notes & Substitutions

• Measure ingredients accurately: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off for best results.
• Use fresh baking powder to ensure your cake rises properly.
• Bring eggs and milk to room temperature for the best cake texture.
• Pack light brown sugar firmly into the measuring cup so it holds its shape.
• Use a shortcut if needed: A vanilla boxed cake mix can be adapted by adding the cinnamon swirl.
• Adjust glaze consistency by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or a few extra drops of milk for a thinner pour.

Equipment

You won’t need many specialized tools for this recipe. Just grab a few kitchen essentials:

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowls
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Whisk
• Butter knife (for swirling)

How To Make Cinnamon Roll Cake

Let’s create your delicious cinnamon roll cake together, step-by-step!

Prepare the Cake Batter:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; a spray with flour works especially well.
• Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder. Whisk briefly.
• Add wet ingredients: eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix on low speed until just combined.
• Slowly pour in the 1/2 cup melted butter (slightly cooled) while the mixer runs. Mix only until combined—avoid overmixing.
• Spread the batter evenly into the greased baking dish, using a rubber spatula to smooth the top.

Make the Cinnamon Filling:

• Prepare the cinnamon swirl: Cinnamon is a versatile spice commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes.
• Mix the filling ingredients in a small bowl: softened butter, packed light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon.
• Stir until fully combined and a cohesive, paste-like mixture forms.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling evenly over the top of the cake batter in the baking dish.
• No need for perfection—the swirling step will blend everything beautifully later.

Create the Swirl and Bake:

• Use a butter knife to swirl the batter: Gently drag it through the dollops of cinnamon filling and cake batter.
• Create circular, swooping motions to achieve a beautiful marble-effect pattern throughout the cake.
• Ensure the filling is evenly distributed with consistent swirling.
• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven once the swirling is complete.
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, checking at the 35-minute mark.
• Test for doneness: Insert a clean butter knife or toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
• Remove from the oven and let the cake cool slightly on a wire rack while preparing the glaze.

Prepare the Glaze:

• Prepare the vanilla glaze while the cake cools slightly.
• Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and lump-free.
• Adjust the glaze consistency: add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or a few extra drops of milk for a thinner pour.
• Pour the glaze evenly over the warm cake after it has cooled for 10–15 minutes.
• Allow the glaze to melt slightly into the warm cake, filling all the nooks and crannies.
• Let the cake cool further so the glaze can fully set before slicing and serving.
• Enjoy your cinnamon roll cake—it’s truly a treat!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Avoid overmixing the batter after adding the flour to prevent developing too much gluten, which can make the cake tough.
• Understand basic baking science—it helps you achieve consistent, successful results.
• Use room temperature ingredients, so they emulsify properly and create a smoother, more uniform batter.
• Swirl the filling carefully: don’t drag the knife all the way to the bottom or the filling may sink—keep swirls near the surface.
• Prevent dryness by not overbaking; test doneness with a knife or toothpick that comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing to help it set and prevent crumbling.
• Serve warm for a gooey texture or at room temperature for cleaner, neater slices.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This versatile dessert is perfect for many occasions!

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this delightful cake warm for a gooey, comforting experience.
• It’s equally delicious at room temperature, offering a slightly firmer texture.
• Enjoy a slice with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk for a complete treat.
• This cinnamon roll cake makes an excellent breakfast pastry, a perfect brunch item, or a satisfying dessert.

Storage Instructions:

• Store any leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
• Avoid refrigerating the cake, as the cold air can dry it out and alter its texture.
• For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices or the whole cake (unglazed, if possible) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.

Variations:

• For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon filling before swirling.
• In the autumn, incorporate 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree into the cake batter for a seasonal twist.
• Instead of the simple glaze, you can opt for a rich cream cheese frosting for an even more decadent finish.
• This recipe works best in a 9×13-inch pan; we don’t recommend trying to make it as a bundt cake or cupcakes, as the filling tends to sink.

If you love cinnamon-filled treats, you’ll also enjoy our soft and fluffy French Toast Casserole, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Nutrition

Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional information per serving of this delightful cinnamon roll cake. Enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

FAQ

You have questions, we have answers about making this fantastic cinnamon roll cake!

Conclusion

This easy cinnamon roll cake truly offers the best of both worlds: the comforting flavors of a classic dessert with the simplicity of a sheet cake. Its moist texture, rich cinnamon swirl, and sweet vanilla glaze make it an irresistible treat that comes together effortlessly. We hope you feel confident to bake this simple yet spectacular dessert soon! Don’t forget to share your creations, rate the recipe, and let us know what you think in the comments below. Happy baking!

Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake: The Perfect Swirled Dessert

A delightful cinnamon roll cake featuring a soft, tender cake base swirled with a rich cinnamon-brown sugar filling, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make and serves beautifully warm or at room temperature.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large Bowl
• Stand mixer
• Small bowl
• Butter Knife
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

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Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup salted butter, melted (1 stick, slightly cooled)

Filling

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks, to room temperature)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine all cake ingredients, except melted butter, in a large bowl or stand mixer.
• Slowly add the 1/2 cup melted butter to the cake mixture while the mixer is running, then mix just until combined to prevent overmixing.
• Spread the prepared cake batter evenly into your baking dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the filling, stirring until well combined.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling onto the cake batter.
• Take a butter knife and swirl through both the cinnamon filling and cake batter to create a marble effect.
• Bake the cake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
• While the cake is baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl to make the glaze.
• Pour the prepared glaze over the warm cake.
• Allow the glaze to settle into the cake’s nooks and crannies for optimal absorption.
• Serve the cake warm or at room temperature, noting that it slices better once cooled.

Notes

The cake slices up better once it’s cooled down.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSodium: 280mgFiber: 1gSugar: 40g

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