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Best Cinnamon Roll Cake

Best Cinnamon Roll Cake

The Best Cinnamon Roll Cake combines the warm, gooey cinnamon swirl flavor of traditional cinnamon rolls with the simplicity and shareability of a single-layer cake. Soft, moist layers infused with cinnamon sugar and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze make this dessert perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any cozy gathering. Easily customizable, this cake offers nostalgic comfort with a fresh twist and effortless homemade indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup sour cream

Cinnamon Swirl

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Batter: Whisk together all dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon—in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, cream softened butter with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in milk and sour cream until smooth. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until a thick batter forms.
  2. Creating the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and additional cinnamon to form a pasty swirl mixture. Pour half of the batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Spoon the cinnamon mixture evenly over this layer.
  3. Layering the Cake: Pour the remaining batter gently over the cinnamon swirl layer, spreading to seal it in. Use a knife or skewer to create gentle swirls by dragging it through the batter to enhance the marbled cinnamon effect.
  4. Baking the Cake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool slightly before frosting.
  5. Adding the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cake bakes, beat cream cheese with softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. When the cake is warm (not hot), spread the frosting generously over the top, allowing it to melt slightly into the crumb for a gooey finish.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter, eggs, and dairy for best results.
  • Do not overmix batter to keep cake tender.
  • Distribute cinnamon swirl evenly and swirl gently for a beautiful pattern.
  • Check oven temperature with a thermometer for accurate baking.
  • Frost the cake when slightly warm to allow the glaze to melt into the cake without running off.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon roll cake, cinnamon cake, cream cheese frosting, breakfast cake, easy cinnamon dessert, cinnamon swirl cake