If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy the cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll without the effort of dough rising and rolling—this Cinnamon Roll Cake is your dream come true. Soft and buttery with swirls of cinnamon sugar and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, it’s everything you love about cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time.
It’s the perfect breakfast cake, brunch star, or dessert that just begs to be served warm with a cup of coffee.
Why I Love This Recipe
Classic cinnamon rolls are delicious but a bit high-maintenance—yeast dough, rising time, rolling, slicing. This Cinnamon Roll Cake delivers the same gooey, sweet-spiced experience, but with a quick-mix batter and no waiting.
It’s also big-batch friendly, making it perfect for holiday mornings, potlucks, or lazy Sunday baking.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🔄 Ingredient Tips & Swaps
- Milk: Use whole milk for a richer texture, or sub in almond or oat milk.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar gives a classic flavor, but dark brown will add more caramel depth.
- Butter: Salted butter works fine too—just reduce the added salt slightly.
👨🍳 How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla, then stir in melted butter. Mix until smooth and pour into your prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Add the Cinnamon Swirl
In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter. Drizzle this mixture over the cake batter. Use a knife to gently swirl it in—don’t overmix!
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Make the Glaze
While the cake bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 6: Glaze and Serve
Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake so it soaks in slightly. Let it sit for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy!
🌟 Tips for Success
- Don’t over-swirl the cinnamon mixture—you want ribbons, not full blending.
- Serve warm for the full cinnamon roll experience.
- Double the glaze if you’re a frosting fanatic!
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This Cinnamon Roll Cake is a showstopper on its own, but you can level it up with:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon
- A hot cup of coffee or chai
For a full brunch spread, try pairing it with:
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temp: Store covered for up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Stays fresh up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individual slices and freeze up to 3 months.
To reheat, microwave slices for 15–20 seconds to bring back that gooey cinnamon roll feel.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll Cake delivers that fresh-from-the-oven flavor with half the effort and all the joy. Whether you serve it for brunch, dessert, or a cozy coffee break, it’s guaranteed to warm hearts and fill plates fast.
Tried it? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to tag @chefmaniac on social if you share your sweet swirls.
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