Hey there, fellow baking enthusiasts! If you’ve been craving a warm, gooey cinnamon roll cake but don’t want to spend hours kneading dough, you’re in the right place. This cinnamon roll cake is soft, fluffy, and loaded with rich cinnamon-sugar swirls that taste just like classic cinnamon rolls—only easier and faster to make. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy treat, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Method
Brown the Butter
To start, you’ll want to brown your butter to give it a rich, nutty flavor that will enhance your cake. Begin by placing 1/4 cup of butter into a skillet and set it over medium heat. As the butter melts, keep stirring continuously. You’ll notice it starting to foam, and then it will gradually change color to a golden brown. Keep an eye on it because once the color begins to change, it can quickly burn. The key indicator is both the color and a nutty, aromatic smell. Once the butter reaches this golden brown stage, immediately pour it into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking process. Set it aside to cool completely before moving on to the next step.
Prepare the Filling
While the browned butter cools down, it’s the perfect time to prepare your cinnamon roll filling. Take a mixing bowl and add the brown sugar, cinnamon powder, and your chosen chopped nuts. Next, pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir well. You’re aiming for a crumbly, sandy texture that will spread easily between the cake layers. Once combined, set this bowl aside. The filling will slightly firm up as it sits, which is exactly what you want.
Mix the Cake Batter
Now that your browned butter has cooled, it’s time to bring the cake batter to life. Crack your egg into a large mixing bowl and whisk it until it’s fluffy and smooth. Add the granulated sugar and continue to whisk until well combined. Next, pour in the cooled browned butter, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix well to ensure that the ingredients are fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently to maintain the batter’s airiness. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps, but be careful not to overmix as this can make the cake dense.
Layer and Bake
Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper to ensure the cake doesn’t stick. Pour half of your prepared batter into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Now, take approximately half of the cinnamon roll filling and sprinkle it generously over the first layer of batter. Pour the remaining batter over this cinnamon layer, gently spreading it out. Finally, top the cake with the rest of the cinnamon roll filling, sprinkling it evenly over the surface. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 35 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Make the Glaze
While your cake cools, it’s time to make the luscious vanilla glaze. In a medium-sized bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. If you prefer a thicker glaze, add a bit more powdered sugar. For a thinner glaze, incorporate a touch more milk. Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. Let it set slightly before slicing and serving.
Necessary Tools
- Skillet for browning butter
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- 8×8 baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes35
minutes50
minutesIngredients
For the Cinnamon Roll Cake:
1 large egg, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, browned
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk of choice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon powder
For the Cinnamon Roll Filling & Topping:
1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
3 tsp cinnamon powder
1 cup chopped nuts of choice
3 tbsp butter, melted
For the Vanilla Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Brown the Butter
Start by browning the butter. Place 1/4 cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat, stirring continuously for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Pour it into a heatproof bowl to cool completely. - While the butter cools, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon powder, and chopped nuts in a bowl. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until crumbly. Set aside.
- Once the browned butter has cooled, whisk together the egg, sugar, browned butter, vanilla, and milk in a bowl. Gradually fold in the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until the batter is smooth.
- Line the 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Pour half of the batter into the pan, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon filling over it. Pour the remaining batter on top and finish with the rest of the filling.
Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before slicing. - Combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Once the cake is cool, drizzle the glaze on top.
Notes
- Make sure the browned butter cools completely before mixing, or it could cook the egg.
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of milk makes the perfect pairing!
Fun Fact
Did you know that cinnamon rolls date back to Sweden, where they are known as ‘Kanelbullar’? The Swedes even celebrate Cinnamon Roll Day on October 4th!
Conclusion
And there you have it, a perfectly soft, sweet, and comforting cinnamon roll cake that delivers all the flavor of traditional cinnamon rolls without the extra effort. This cinnamon roll cake is ideal for sharing with family, serving at brunch, or enjoying with a warm drink anytime you want something special. Try it once, and it’s sure to become a go-to recipe you’ll make again and again.
