Cinnamon Roll Cake

Soft, fluffy vanilla cake layered with rich cinnamon sugar swirls and topped with warm cream cheese glaze — all the flavors of cinnamon rolls in an easy, sliceable cake 😍✨

🕒 Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Bake Time: 30–35 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

• Servings: 12

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 Cake Batter

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 4 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1½ cups milk

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup melted butter or oil

🍥 Cinnamon Swirl

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

• ½ cup softened butter

🍶 Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 3–4 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Pan & Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Make Cake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.

3. Mix until smooth and lump-free.

4. Pour batter evenly into prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Make Cinnamon Swirl

1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until smooth.

2. Drop spoonfuls over cake batter.

3. Swirl gently using a knife to create ribbons.

Step 4: Bake

• Bake 30–35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Step 5: Make Glaze

1. Beat cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

3. Mix until pourable but thick.

Step 6: Glaze & Serve

• Pour glaze over warm cake.

• Let set slightly before slicing and serving.

⭐ Tips for Best Results

• Don’t over-swirl — thick cinnamon ribbons taste best.

• Use room temperature ingredients for smooth batter.

• Glaze while warm so it melts slightly into cake.

🔁 Variations

🍏 Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake: Add 1 cup finely diced apples
🥜 Nutty: Add chopped pecans or walnuts
🧁 Cupcake Version: Bake in muffin tins 18–20 minutes
🥛 Dairy-Free: Use almond milk + dairy-free cream cheese

🧊 Storage

• Room Temp: 2 days (covered)

• Refrigerator: 5 days

• Freezer: Up to 2 months

❓FAQs

Q: Can I make ahead?
Yes — bake, cool, glaze before serving.

Q: Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes — use vanilla cake mix and swirl filling.

Q: Can I reheat?
Yes — microwave slices 15–20 seconds.

🍽 Nutrition (Approx. per slice)

• Calories: 380

• Fat: 18g

• Carbs: 52g

• Protein: 5g