Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake
When it comes to indulgence, few desserts compare to the sweet, cozy comfort of a Cinnabon-style Cinnamon Roll Cake. Picture layers of tender cake, swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar, all topped with a smooth, dreamy glaze. This irresistible fusion of cinnamon roll and classic cake brings together the best of both worlds—warm spice, soft texture, and a sugary finish that melts in your mouth. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create this showstopping treat, from ingredients to swirl technique to that all-important glaze. Ready to bake something magical? Let’s dive in.
🍰 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- (Optional: ⅔ cup chopped walnuts or pecans)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered (icing) sugar
- 4–5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🧁 Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with oil or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth.
Stir in the melted butter, then pour the batter into the greased baking dish.
Step 3: Mix the Cinnamon Filling
In a separate bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if using).
Drop spoonfuls of this mixture evenly over the cake batter.
Use a knife to swirl the filling into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Place the cake in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Step 5: Make the Glaze
While the cake bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
Step 6: Glaze & Serve
Once the cake is fresh out of the oven, drizzle the glaze generously over the warm surface.
Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.
🍽 Serving Tip:
Enjoy it warm for that gooey, melty texture—or let it cool completely for a firmer, more sliceable cake with deep cinnamon flavor.
With its heavenly layers of cinnamon-swirled cake and luscious glaze, this Cinnamon Roll Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re baking it for brunch, dessert, or just because—it’s a little bit of bakery bliss straight from your oven.
