Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Fluffy Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe For Sweet Mornings

Sweet aromas of homemade cinnamon roll cake waft through kitchens, promising comfort and pure indulgence.

Memories of warm bakery treats inspired this delectable dessert that combines classic flavors in a stunning format.

Soft, tender layers melt with rich cinnamon swirls that dance across each delightful bite.

Familiar yet unexpected, this recipe simplifies complex pastry techniques for home bakers seeking something extraordinary.

Buttery crumbs promise a decadent experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Recreating cinnabon magic becomes effortless with straightforward ingredients and foolproof instructions.

Let you savor every crumbly, sweet moment of this irresistible cake adventure.

Pairing Suggestions for Cinnamon Roll Cake

Pairing Suggestions for Cinnamon Roll Cake
  • Dark roast or medium-bodied Colombian coffee enhances the cake's sweet cinnamon notes, cutting through richness with bold, smooth undertones.
  • Cold glass of whole milk creates a classic comfort combination, neutralizing the cake's sugary intensity while providing refreshing contrast.
  • Late harvest Riesling offers delicate sweetness that harmonizes with the cake's cinnamon profile, delivering elegant wine-dessert synchronization.
  • Vanilla bean ice cream adds creamy coolness, melting softly against warm cake and introducing complementary temperature variations.

Storage Advice for Cinnamon Roll Cake

Storage Advice for Cinnamon Roll Cake
  • Refrigerate: Store cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label container with date for tracking.
  • Room Temperature: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Use clean kitchen towel or cake dome to protect from dust and insects.
  • Reheating: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, reheat in preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore soft texture and revive cinnamon aroma.

FAQs

  • What makes this cake different from traditional cinnamon rolls?

This cake captures the beloved Cinnabon flavor in an easier cake format, eliminating the complex rolling and shaping process while maintaining the classic cinnamon swirl taste.

  • Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Simply add a pinch of salt to the recipe to compensate for the missing salt content in the butter.

  • How do I create the perfect cinnamon swirl effect?

Use a butter knife and gently drag it through the batter and cinnamon filling in a zigzag or figure-eight motion to create a beautiful marbled pattern without overmixing.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake with Classic Flavors

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake with Classic Flavors
  • Swirl into Comfort: A delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls that brings restaurant-quality flavor directly to your home kitchen without complex techniques.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and weekend brunches where everyone craves a sweet, nostalgic treat that satisfies multiple taste preferences.
  • Quick Baking Adventure: Minimal prep work and simple mixing steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
  • Customizable Indulgence: Easy to adjust sweetness levels and glaze thickness, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the core delicious cinnamon roll cake essence.

Ingredients to Make Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

Main Cake Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the cake base.
  • White Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
  • Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.
  • Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
Butter Components:
  • Salted Butter (Melted): Adds richness and depth to the cake's flavor.
  • Salted Butter (Room Temperature): Creates a smooth and creamy cinnamon filling.
Leavening and Spice:
  • Baking Powder, Ground Cinnamon: Helps the cake rise and provides a warm, aromatic spice flavor.
Additional Filling Ingredients:
  • Light Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the cinnamon swirl.
  • All-Purpose Flour (for filling): Helps stabilize the cinnamon filling mixture.
Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combines to create a smooth, sweet topping that completes the cake.

How to Prepare Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

How to Prepare Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spritz the pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in:
  • All-purpose flour
  • White granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Large eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Milk

Blend these ingredients until smooth and well-combined.

Step 3: Add Melted Butter

Gently pour in melted salted butter while mixing.

Stir carefully to keep the batter light and fluffy.

Step 4: Spread Batter

Pour the silky batter into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Step 5: Whip Up Cinnamon Filling

In a separate bowl, mix together:
  • Room temperature salted butter
  • Light brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Ground cinnamon

Blend until the mixture looks creamy and consistent.

Step 6: Decorate the Cake

Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon filling across the cake batter’s surface.

Step 7: Create Marbled Magic

Take a butter knife and swirl through the batter, creating beautiful marbled patterns.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cake into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

The cake is ready when a knife comes out clean from the center.

Step 9: Craft Delicious Glaze

Whisk together:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract

Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or milk as needed.

Step 10: Finish with Glaze

Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cake, letting it cascade down the sides.

Tips to Nail Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

Tips to Nail Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

Swirl the cinnamon filling gently to create beautiful marbling without overmixing, which can make the cake tough. Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother blending and more even distribution of ingredients. Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs. Adjust glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar for thickness or milk for a thinner drizzle, allowing perfect coverage. Store cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, maintaining its soft and moist texture.

Variations to Refresh Cinnamon Roll Cake

Variations to Refresh Cinnamon Roll Cake
  • Gluten-Free Cinnamon Swirl Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a celiac-friendly version that maintains the original cake's rich texture and flavor.
  • Vegan Cinnamon Roll Cake: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a dairy-free, plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Cinnamon Cake: Use sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the cake's classic cinnamon taste.
  • Nutty Cinnamon Crunch Cake: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon filling before swirling, adding extra crunch and nutty depth to the classic recipe.
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Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Cinnabon cinnamon roll cake delivers classic bakery flavors in an easy sheet cake format. Cream cheese frosting and swirled cinnamon sugar create a delightful dessert you can enjoy with coffee or share at family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 g) white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) salted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) salted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (220 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps (15 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp finely ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 5 tbsps (75 ml) milk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with flour-based nonstick spray.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, vanilla, and milk in a large mixing bowl, blending until smooth and homogeneous.
  3. Gently fold in melted butter, stirring carefully to maintain batter’s delicate consistency without overmixing.
  4. Pour batter evenly into prepared baking dish, ensuring uniform distribution.
  5. Create cinnamon filling by whisking butter, brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon until creamy and well-integrated.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of cinnamon mixture across cake batter’s surface in random patterns.
  7. Use a knife to swirl cinnamon filling through batter, generating an intricate marbled design.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a knife into center – it should emerge clean and dry.
  9. Craft glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky and pourable, adjusting liquid ratio for desired consistency.
  10. Drizzle warm glaze generously over freshly baked cake, allowing it to seep into surface crevices.

Notes

  • Swirl gently when creating the marbled effect to prevent overmixing and maintain distinct cinnamon swirls throughout the cake.
  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent texture in both cake and cinnamon filling.
  • Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs for optimal moisture.
  • Adjust glaze consistency by adding milk or powdered sugar gradually to achieve your preferred drizzling thickness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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