The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Cake Delight

You know those mornings when everyone’s craving something warm and sweet, but you just don’t have the time—or patience—to fuss over a big batch of rolls? That’s exactly why I love this cinnamon roll cake. It brings all the buttery cinnamon swirl you’d expect from the bakery, but you can mix it up in one bowl and have it on the table in under an hour. No waiting around, no tricky steps—just simple, cozy baking that fills your kitchen with the most inviting aroma.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: the easy ingredients, the swirl that makes every bite special, smart baking tips, and creative ways to serve it up. Whether you’re planning brunch or just want something comforting for dessert, this cake is the kind of treat everyone will look forward to. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cake

If you’ve ever wished you could have all the warm, buttery goodness of a classic cinnamon roll without spending hours in the kitchen, this cinnamon roll cake is your answer. It’s simple to mix up, family-friendly, and perfect for any occasion—from casual brunch to a cozy evening dessert. You’ll love how the cinnamon sugar swirl melts into every slice, creating a beautiful pattern and rich flavor in each bite.

This cake is also wonderfully customizable—make it as a cinnamon roll poke cake for extra sweetness or bake it in a bundt pan for a festive twist. No fancy tools required, just a mixing bowl and a little bit of love.

When you pull it from the oven, golden and fragrant, you’ll know you’ve made something special that brings everyone to the table.

Ready to gather your ingredients? Let’s jump into what you’ll need next!

Cinnamon Roll Cake Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather everything you need to make this cinnamon roll cake the star of your table. I promise—these ingredients are simple, and each one has a job to do.

Basic Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour (2 ¾ cups): Gives the cake a soft, sturdy base that holds the swirl beautifully.
• Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the batter just enough without making it heavy.
• Baking Powder (1 tablespoon): Helps the cake rise into a tender, fluffy texture.
• Fine Sea Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances all the sweet flavors so they shine.
• Whole Milk (1 cup): Keeps the crumb moist and smooth.
• Melted Unsalted Butter (½ cup): Adds rich flavor and a delicate buttery finish.
• Large Eggs (2): Bind everything together for a cohesive batter.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tablespoon): Rounds out the aroma with a lovely bakery-style scent.

Cinnamon Swirl:

• Softened Butter (⅓ cup): Blends easily to create a luscious filling.
• Light Brown Sugar (¾ cup): Melts into sweet pockets throughout the cake.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 ½ tablespoons): The heart of that classic cinnamon roll taste.

Vanilla Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar (1 ½ cups): Becomes the smooth drizzle that finishes everything off.
• Whole Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Helps you reach that perfect pourable consistency.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth to every bite.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Chopped Pecans (½ cup): For a little crunch and nutty depth.
• Mini Chocolate Chips (½ cup): A fun twist if you love extra sweetness.

Pro Tip: For a little international flair, sprinkle in a pinch of cardamom for Scandinavian vibes or swap vanilla for almond extract if you enjoy a bakery-style touch.

Next, I’ll walk you through each step so you can bake this beauty with confidence.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake Step by Step

Making this cake is simpler than you’d think, and you’ll love how your kitchen smells as it bakes. Let’s walk step by step so nothing feels rushed or tricky.

1- Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment so the cake lifts out cleanly later.

2- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until everything looks uniform.

3- Blend Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir just until you don’t see dry streaks—some tiny lumps are fine.

4- Fill the Pan: Scoop the batter into your prepared dish and smooth it gently with an offset spatula so it’s level all over.

5- Create the Swirl: In a small bowl, mash together softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until you have a thick, grainy paste.

6- Swirl It In: Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly across the batter. Take a butter knife and slowly drag it through the dollops in loose figure eights. This way, every bite gets some swirl without blending everything together.

7- Bake to Perfection: Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is lightly golden and springs back when you press it gently.

8- Cool a Bit: Let the cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes so the glaze won’t melt completely when you drizzle.

9- Make the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until it’s smooth and thick enough to drizzle in ribbons. If it feels too stiff, add a tiny splash more milk.

10- Finish with Glaze: Pour the glaze over the warm cake in a zigzag pattern or spread it gently with the back of a spoon.

Take a moment to admire your creation—the cinnamon pockets and glossy glaze are worth every step.

Up next, I’ll share a few helpful tips and easy ways you can customize this recipe to fit any occasion.

Chef Tips and Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Variations

This is where you can make your cinnamon roll cake truly your own. Whether you want to keep it classic or try something new, these tips will help you bake with confidence.

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until the flour disappears. Mix only until everything comes together—stirring too much can lead to a heavy, tight crumb instead of a light, tender texture.
• Even Swirl Distribution: Drop your cinnamon mixture evenly across the surface so every bite gets a bit of that sweet swirl.
• Bundt Pan Option: For a pretty presentation, bake in a well-greased bundt pan. Just be sure to extend the baking time by about 10 minutes and check doneness with a toothpick.
• Poke Cake Twist: If you’d like an extra moist texture, poke small holes in the baked cake and drizzle extra glaze over the top so it seeps into every nook.
• Special Occasion Swap: Turn it into a cinnamon roll birthday cake by adding a cream cheese frosting once it’s cooled completely.
• Try Different Spices: Mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom with the cinnamon for a subtle new layer of flavor.

When you’re ready to share this cake, it helps to know the best ways to serve it. Let’s look at a few ideas to make each slice feel extra special.

Serving Ideas for Cinnamon Roll Cake

One of the joys of cinnamon roll cake is how versatile it can be. From casual mornings to celebrations, here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Warm Breakfast Treat: Slice while still a little warm and pair with a cup of fresh coffee or tea.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Place on a cake stand with fresh berries around the edges for a welcoming spread.
• Dessert Finale: Serve slightly chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• Afternoon Snack: Cut into smaller squares for a grab-and-go treat with iced coffee.
• Holiday Potluck: Dress it up with a sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving so it looks festive on any dessert table.

However you serve it, this cake has a way of disappearing fast. Let’s make sure you know how to store and reheat any leftovers so not a crumb goes to waste.

How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Roll Cake

Keeping your cinnamon roll cake fresh is simple. These steps will help you enjoy every last bite, whether you’re saving it for tomorrow’s breakfast or a late-night snack later in the week.

• Room Temperature: Cover the pan tightly with foil or a lid. It stays soft for up to 3 days on the counter.
• Refrigerator: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely for up to a week.
• Freezer: To keep slices longer, wrap them well and store in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• To Reheat:
  • Oven: Place slices on a baking sheet and warm at 300°F (150°C) for about 8 minutes.
  • Microwave: Heat one slice at a time for 20–30 seconds until just warmed through.

I love knowing there’s always a slice tucked away for a little moment of sweetness. Now, let’s pull together everything you’ve learned with a few handy takeaways.

More Delicious Desserts to Try

If you enjoyed this cinnamon roll cake, here are a few other sweet recipes you might love baking next:

• Coconut Cake – Light and moist with a hint of tropical flavor
• Chocolate Ganache Cake – Rich layers covered in silky chocolate
• Brownie Cupcakes – Perfect little bites of chocolate goodness
• Chocolate Chip Cupcakes – Soft cupcakes packed with melty chips
• Gender Reveal Cupcakes – A fun surprise inside each cupcake
• Mini Cupcakes – Tiny treats just right for any celebration

Cinnamon Roll Cake Delight

Calista

This cinnamon roll cake is a soft, golden-brown sheet cake layered with rich cinnamon-sugar swirls and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Every bite has the cozy flavor of a classic cinnamon roll, ready in a fraction of the time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Brunch Treat, Dessert

Cuisine American Comfort

Servings 12 slices

Calories 365 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls (large and small)
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Butter knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

  

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Swirl: ⅓ cup softened butter ¾ cup light brown sugar, 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• Glaze: 1½ cups powdered sugar 2–3 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your baking dish.
• Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Stir in milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until just combined.
• Spread batter evenly in the dish.
• Mix swirl ingredients and dollop over batter. Swirl gently with a butter knife.
• Bake 35–40 minutes, until golden and set.
• Cool briefly, then whisk glaze and drizzle over warm cake.
• Slice and serve.

Notes

Contains gluten, dairy, and eggs. For a fun twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips into the batter.

 

Keyword cinnamon roll bundt cake, cinnamon roll cake, cinnamon roll poke cake

Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick roundup of what makes this cinnamon roll cake a keeper:

• No yeast needed—just mix, swirl, and bake.
• Rich cinnamon flavor in every bite.
• Perfect for brunch, dessert, or snacking.
• Simple to customize with nuts or chocolate chips.
• Easy to store and reheat for later treats.

Cinnamon Roll Cake FAQs and Helpful Answers

Conclusion

I hope this cinnamon roll cake brings as much comfort and joy to your table as it does to mine. It’s the kind of recipe that makes the kitchen feel extra welcoming, whether you’re baking for family brunch or sharing a sweet moment after dinner.

If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave a review and let me know how it turned out or if you added your own special twist. Your feedback means so much and helps others enjoy baking it too.