Cinnamon Roll Cake: The Ultimate Guide to a Gooey, Sweet Treat

Craving cinnamon rolls but don’t have time to roll out the dough? A Cinnamon Roll Cake is the perfect solution! This delicious dessert combines the best parts of a cinnamon roll—soft, fluffy texture, gooey cinnamon swirls, and sweet vanilla glaze—into an easy-to-make cake.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about making the best cinnamon roll cake at home. From a detailed recipe with step-by-step instructions to variations, storage tips, and FAQs, you’ll be fully prepared to bake this delicious treat.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Cake

Before we begin, gather all your ingredients. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients ensures the best results.

For the Cake Batter:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
3. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

1. In a separate bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
2. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the cake batter.
3. Use a knife to swirl the cinnamon filling into the batter, creating a marbled effect.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

• Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Prepare the Glaze

1. While the cake bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. When the cake is done, let it cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

• Slice the cake while it’s warm and serve it immediately!

Pro Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Cake

1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients – This ensures even mixing and a smoother batter.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter – Overmixing can make the cake dense rather than soft and fluffy.
3. Swirl Gently – Overmixing the cinnamon swirl into the batter can make it blend too much, losing its marbled effect.
4. Bake Until Just Done – Overbaking can dry out the cake.
5. Glaze While Warm – This helps the icing seep into the cake, making it extra gooey.

Different Variations of Cinnamon Roll Cake

Want to switch things up? Try one of these fun variations:

1. Cream Cheese Glaze

For a richer glaze, replace the vanilla glaze with a cream cheese glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2. Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake

Add 1 cup of diced apples to the cake batter for an extra fruity flavor.

3. Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Cake

Replace ½ cup of milk with pumpkin puree and add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the batter.

4. Pecan Cinnamon Roll Cake

Sprinkle ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon swirl before baking for added crunch.

How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Roll Cake

Storing at Room Temperature:

• Keep the cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
• It stays fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Refrigeration:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving.

Freezing Instructions:

• Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag.
• Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Cake Is Too Dry

• Overbaked the cake – check for doneness at 35 minutes.
• Reduce flour slightly or add a tablespoon of sour cream to the batter.

2. Cinnamon Swirl Sinks to the Bottom

• Make sure the butter in the swirl is soft, not melted.
• Drop the cinnamon mixture on top and gently swirl with a knife.

3. Glaze Is Too Thin or Too Thick

• If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
• If it is too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon roll cake is a delicious fusion of soft cake and gooey cinnamon rolls, making it a favorite for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. However, many bakers encounter issues like dry cake, a lack of swirl, or overly dense texture. If your cinnamon roll cake isn’t turning out as expected, you might be making one of these common mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them for a perfectly moist, flavorful, and tender cinnamon roll cake every time!

1. Using Cold Ingredients

❌ Mistake: Using cold eggs, milk, or butter

Cold ingredients don’t blend well, leading to a lumpy batter and uneven texture.

✅ Fix:

• Use room-temperature ingredients, including milk, eggs, and butter.
• Let them sit out for 30-45 minutes before mixing.

2. Overmixing the Batter

❌ Mistake: Mixing the batter too much

Overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in a tough and dense cake instead of a soft, fluffy texture.

✅ Fix:

• Mix the ingredients just until combined—a few lumps are okay.
• Use a spatula instead of a mixer for the final mixing stage to prevent overworking the batter.

3. Skipping the Cinnamon Swirl Step

❌ Mistake: Not swirling the cinnamon filling properly

If you don’t swirl correctly, the cinnamon mixture can either sink to the bottom or remain in large clumps.

✅ Fix:

• Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter.
• Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl in a circular motion—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose the distinct swirl effect.

4. Not Using Enough Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

❌ Mistake: Being too conservative with the cinnamon swirl

A cinnamon roll cake without enough cinnamon mixture will taste bland and lack the signature sweet-spicy flavor.

✅ Fix:

• Be generous with the brown sugar and cinnamon filling.
• If you love extra cinnamon, increase the cinnamon filling by 50%.

5. Overbaking the Cake

❌ Mistake: Leaving the cake in the oven too long

Overbaking leads to a dry cake, making it tough instead of soft and moist.

✅ Fix:

• Check for doneness at 30-35 minutes by inserting a toothpick—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not dry.
• If needed, cover with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.

6. Skipping the Glaze or Adding It Too Late

❌ Mistake: Forgetting the glaze or adding it after the cake has cooled completely

Glaze adds moisture, sweetness, and that classic cinnamon roll taste. If added too late, it won’t soak into the cake properly.

✅ Fix:

• Pour the glaze over the cake while it’s still warm (but not hot) to allow absorption.
• For extra gooeyness, poke small holes in the cake before adding the glaze.

7. Not Allowing the Cake to Cool Properly

❌ Mistake: Cutting the cake too soon

If you slice the cake immediately, the glaze won’t set, and the layers may fall apart.

✅ Fix:

• Let the cake cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing.

8. Using the Wrong Type of Flour

❌ Mistake: Using whole wheat flour or an unbalanced gluten-free mix

Different types of flour absorb moisture differently, which can result in a dry or overly dense cake.

✅ Fix:

• Use all-purpose flour for the best texture.
• If using gluten-free flour, choose a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.

9. Adding Too Much Flour

❌ Mistake: Scooping flour directly from the bag

Using too much flour makes the cake dense and dry.

✅ Fix:

• Use the spoon-and-level method: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
• If possible, weigh your flour using a kitchen scale for accuracy (1 cup = 120g).

10. Using Margarine Instead of Butter

❌ Mistake: Substituting margarine for butter

Margarine has more water content, which can affect the cake’s texture.

✅ Fix:

• Always use real unsalted butter for a rich, buttery flavor.

11. Not Properly Preparing the Baking Dish

❌ Mistake: Skipping parchment paper or not greasing the pan enough

This can cause the cake to stick to the pan, making it hard to remove.

✅ Fix:

• Grease the pan generously with butter or non-stick spray.
• For easy removal, line the pan with parchment paper.

12. Not Storing the Cake Correctly

❌ Mistake: Leaving the cake uncovered

Cinnamon roll cake can dry out quickly if not stored properly.

✅ Fix:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days and warm before serving.
• To freeze, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

13. Using the Wrong Sugar for the Cinnamon Swirl

❌ Mistake: Only using granulated sugar

Brown sugar adds moisture and richness, while granulated sugar alone won’t give you the same gooey consistency.

✅ Fix:

• Use dark or light brown sugar in the cinnamon filling for the best flavor and texture.

14. Expecting the Cake to Taste Exactly Like Cinnamon Rolls

❌ Mistake: Thinking this cake has the exact texture of a cinnamon roll

Cinnamon roll cake is softer and fluffier than traditional cinnamon rolls because it’s a cake, not a yeast dough.

✅ Fix:

• If you want a more cinnamon roll-like texture, add ½ teaspoon of yeast and let the batter rest for 30 minutes before baking.

Final Thoughts

Making cinnamon roll cake is easy and rewarding, but avoiding these common mistakes will ensure your cake turns out moist, flavorful, and perfectly swirled every time. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, following these tips will help you master this delicious treat!

Now go bake the best cinnamon roll cake ever!

FAQs About Cinnamon Roll Cake

1. Can I Make Cinnamon Roll Cake Ahead of Time?

Yes! Bake it a day in advance and warm it before serving.

2. Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

3. Can I Use a Cake Mix Instead?

Absolutely! Use a yellow or vanilla cake mix and prepare as directed, adding the cinnamon swirl before baking.

4. What’s the Difference Between Cinnamon Roll Cake and Coffee Cake?

Cinnamon roll cake has a gooey swirl, while coffee cake usually has a crumb topping.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Cake is a delightful, easy-to-make dessert that brings all the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll into a simple cake form. Whether for a special breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert, this cake will impress!

Try different variations, make it ahead, and enjoy a slice of homemade cinnamon roll cake whenever the craving strikes.

Happy Baking!