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Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon roll cake recipe with tender swirls and sweet vanilla glaze

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This easy one-pan cake captures all the gooey, spiced magic of a classic cinnamon roll without the yeast or wait. A tender cake is swirled with a brown sugar cinnamon paste and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze for the ultimate cozy treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For the Cinnamon Swirl:
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • A tiny pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
  2. Make the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Make the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a thick paste. Drop spoonfuls over the cake batter.
  4. Swirl and bake: Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  5. Make the glaze: While cake cools slightly, whisk powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, and salt. Add more milk as needed for a pourable consistency.
  6. Finish: Drizzle the warm cake with glaze. Let set for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter. Ensure butter for the swirl is softened. Check for doneness at 30 minutes to avoid over-baking. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and butter. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

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