Pin it
This gooey, soft cinnamon roll cake turns your favorite morning snack into an easy cake that makes your house smell just like a bakery. I came up with this when I was craving cinnamon rolls but didn't want to mess with all the kneading and waiting that comes with regular dough.
The first time this showed up at our family get-together, my nephew said he liked it more than our usual holiday rolls. Now I can't show up to family events without it, and there's never a crumb left by the end.
What You'll Need
- All purpose flour: makes up the soft, light cake structure
- Granulated sugar: adds the perfect level of sweetness
- Large eggs: help the cake hold together and add richness
- Whole milk: keeps everything moist and tender
- Baking powder: makes the cake fluffy without needing yeast
- Vanilla extract: brings out all the other flavors with its warmth
- Melted butter: gives you that sticky, delicious texture
- Brown sugar: turns all caramelly when baked
- Ground cinnamon: brings that warm, spicy flavor everyone loves
- Flour: keeps the swirl from just melting away
- Powdered sugar: makes a creamy, sweet topping
- Vanilla extract: makes the simple icing taste extra good
- Milk: thins the icing so you can drizzle it nicely
How To Make It
- Get Your Pan Ready:
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. The kind with flour works best since it stops the sticky cinnamon from gluing itself to your pan.
- Make Your Cake Mix:
- Put the flour, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder and vanilla in a big bowl. Stir until it's smooth but don't go crazy mixing or your cake might end up tough. You want it thick enough to pour but not runny—a bit thicker than pancake batter.
- Fix Up The Cinnamon Mix:
- In another bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour until you get something like a soft paste. This is what creates those yummy cinnamon streaks. Make sure your butter isn't hot when you add it or the sugar might get grainy.
- Put It All Together:
- Pour your cake batter into the pan and spread it out flat. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mix all over the top. Take a butter knife and make swirly patterns through everything. Try making figure eights for the prettiest swirls.
- Bake It Up:
- Put it in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the middle to check—it's done when the toothpick comes out clean or just has a few crumbs. The top should look golden and have some cracks where the cinnamon got all bubbly.
- Mix Up The Icing:
- While your cake bakes, stir the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk together. Start with just 2 tablespoons of milk and add more if needed until it's runny enough to pour but not watery.
- Add The Icing:
- Pour your icing over the cake while it's still hot from the oven. Some will soak in and some will stay on top, making a sweet crust. The heat helps the icing spread out nice and even.
- Let It Rest:
- Give your cake about 20 minutes to cool before cutting it. This lets the icing firm up a bit and helps you get nice clean slices without making a mess.
Those cinnamon swirls really make this cake stand out. I found that long, sweeping knife moves create gorgeous ribbons of cinnamon in every bite. My family always crowds around to watch when I do this part—it's like watching regular cake batter transform into something special right before your eyes.
Plan Ahead
You can get everything ready and keep it in the fridge overnight before baking. Just wrap the unbaked, swirled cake tightly with plastic wrap. In the morning, take it out while your oven heats up, then bake it about 5 minutes longer than usual.
Keeping It Fresh
Your cake will stay good on the counter in a sealed container for about 3 days. If you want it to last longer, stick it in the fridge for up to a week. You can even freeze single slices by wrapping them well for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight and warm them up a bit in the microwave to make them taste fresh-baked again.
Mix It Up
The basic recipe is fantastic on its own, but you can add your own spin by mixing chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon mixture. For something different, try folding a cup of diced apples coated with a tablespoon of flour into the batter. Adding some orange zest to the icing gives a fresh twist that goes great with the warm cinnamon.
Ways To Enjoy It
This cake tastes amazing when it's a little warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. For breakfast, try it with some fresh berries and coffee. At brunch, it goes really well next to savory egg dishes, giving your guests both sweet and savory options they'll love.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can fresh apples replace pie filling?
Sure! Peel, chop, and cook fresh apples lightly with cinnamon and sugar to use instead of pie filling.
- → What kind of nuts should I use?
Pecans and walnuts work wonderfully, but almonds or other nuts can also be a good choice.
- → Can this be made in advance?
Definitely! Make it a day early, store it covered, and add the glaze when ready to serve for best results.
- → How do I create an even swirl on top?
Lightly run a knife through the topping in soft swirls without overmixing for a nice marbled look.
- → Can I change the glaze flavor?
Yes! Switch up the glaze by using almond or lemon extract instead of vanilla for a fun twist.
- → What complements this dessert?
Serve it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it even more indulgent!