Ingredients
Before you start baking, it’s important to understand what each ingredient does. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Flour – The foundation of the cake, providing structure.
- Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the cake stay moist.
- Butter – Creates a rich, tender crumb and enhances flavor.
- Eggs – Binds the ingredients and adds a soft texture.
- Milk (or buttermilk) – Keeps the cake moist and adds a slight tang.
- Vanilla Extract – Brings warmth and enhances the sweetness.
- Baking Powder – Helps the cake rise, making it light and fluffy.
- Cinnamon & Brown Sugar – The heart of the cake, delivering that signature cinnamon roll taste.
- Powdered Sugar & Cream – For a luscious glaze that ties everything together.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Follow these steps to make a foolproof cinnamon roll cake:
- Prepare the Batter – Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Slowly combine them, stirring until just mixed.
- Make the Cinnamon Swirl – Melt butter and mix it with brown sugar and cinnamon. This will create that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
- Layer and Swirl – Pour half of the batter into a greased baking dish. Drizzle half of the cinnamon mixture, then swirl it with a knife. Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon filling.
- Bake to Perfection – Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Glaze & Serve – While the cake is still warm, drizzle it with a powdered sugar glaze for a final touch of sweetness.
Baking Tips for Optimal Results
- Use room-temperature ingredients – This helps the batter mix evenly.
- Don’t overmix – Overworking the batter can make the cake dense.
- Let it rest before slicing – This allows the cinnamon layers to set, making each slice perfect.
Up next, we’ll get creative with some fun variations of cinnamon roll cake that will take this dessert to a whole new level!
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients:
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup melted butter
- Gradually combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.
Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl
- In a small bowl, mix together:
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Drizzle the cinnamon mixture over the batter.
- Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool slightly while preparing the glaze.
Step 5: Make the Glaze & Serve
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.
- Slice and serve while still warm for the best flavor!
Enjoy your homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (out of 12)
- Calories: 320 kca
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55mg