Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake
If you love the warm, gooey goodness of classic cinnamon rolls, this
Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake is about to become your new favorite dessert.
It captures everything we adore about cinnamon rolls — rich cinnamon swirls, buttery flavor,
and sweet vanilla glaze — but in an easy, no-yeast cake form.
Perfect for holidays, brunch, potlucks, or when you want a bakery-style treat without the extra work,
this cake comes together quickly and fills your kitchen with the most irresistible aroma.
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup chopped nuts (optional – walnuts or pecans)
For the Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4–5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. -
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. -
Create the Batter:
Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
Mix until smooth and well combined. -
Add the Butter:
Slowly stir in the melted butter, mixing just until incorporated.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. -
Prepare the Cinnamon Filling:
In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon,
and nuts (if using) until smooth and spreadable. -
Layer and Swirl:
Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling over the cake batter.
Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the filling through the batter,
creating a marbled cinnamon-roll effect. -
Bake:
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center
comes out mostly clean. -
Make the Glaze:
While the cake bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla
until smooth and pourable. -
Glaze and Serve:
Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.
Allow it to cool slightly before slicing.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- For extra gooey texture, slightly underbake by 2–3 minutes.
- Skip the nuts for a classic cinnamon roll experience.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for deeper spice flavor.
- Serve with coffee or warm milk for the ultimate comfort treat.