Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Sweet Breakfast Treat

Have you ever craved the warm, gooey goodness of homemade cinnamon rolls but didn't want to deal with the hassle of yeast, rising, and rolling dough? This cinnamon roll cake recipe is your answer. Making this delightful dessert at home allows you to enjoy all the comforting flavors of traditional cinnamon rolls in a simple, one-pan cake format. The best part? You'll have a show-stopping breakfast or brunch centerpiece ready in less than an hour, with swirls of cinnamon sugar throughout and a silky cream cheese glaze that'll have everyone asking for seconds. This recipe delivers bakery-quality results without the intimidation factor, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers alike.

Ingredients List

    • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1½ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

    • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
    • 1½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2–3 tablespoons milk (to reach desired consistency)
    • Optional: Pinch of salt to balance sweetness

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

This recipe is significantly faster than traditional yeast-based cinnamon rolls, which typically require 2–3 hours of rising time. Perfect for lazy weekend mornings when you want something special without the wait.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray, then lightly dust with flour. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal later.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined—don't overmix, as this can create a dense cake.

Step 3: Create the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until it forms a thick, spreadable paste. If it's too stiff, microwave for 10 seconds to soften slightly. This cinnamon roll cake recipe relies on this mixture for those signature swirls.

Step 4: Layer and Swirl Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan, spreading evenly. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture across the batter surface. Use a butter knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter in a figure-eight pattern—don't overmix, as you want distinct ribbons of cinnamon throughout.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting While the cake cools slightly, beat together cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, beating until you achieve a pourable glaze consistency. This cinnamon roll cake with cream cheese frosting isn't complete without this luscious topping.

Step 7: Glaze and Serve Pour the frosting over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into the cracks and crevices. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 385
    • Protein: 5g
    • Carbohydrates: 58g
    • Fat: 16g
    • Fiber: 1g
    • Calcium: 8% DV
    • Iron: 6% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Swaps: - Gluten-Free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. - Dairy-Free: Use almond milk and dairy-free butter; replace cream cheese with coconut cream-based frosting. - Reduced Sugar: Cut sugar by ¼ cup and use sugar-free sweeteners in the frosting.

Flavor Variations: - Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon swirl for extra crunch. - Mix in ½ teaspoon cardamom with the cinnamon for a chai-spiced version. - Drizzle with caramel sauce before adding cream cheese frosting for extra indulgence.

Meal Prep Tips: Bake this cake the night before and store covered. Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Overmixing the Batter Stirring too vigorously develops gluten, creating a tough, chewy cake. Mix until ingredients are just combined—lumps are okay.

Mistake 2: Cold Ingredients Cold eggs and milk don't emulsify properly with butter, creating an uneven texture. Let dairy and eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Mistake 3: Overswirling the Cinnamon Excessive swirling blends the cinnamon completely into the batter, eliminating those beautiful ribbons. Use gentle, deliberate strokes.

Mistake 4: Glazing a Hot Cake Frosting applied to a piping-hot cake will melt completely and become soupy. Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes—it should be warm but not steaming.

Mistake 5: Overbaking A dry cake is disappointing. Check at 30 minutes and remove when the toothpick has a few moist crumbs, not when completely clean.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your cinnamon roll cake with cream cheese frosting covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration if your kitchen is warm.

For freezing, wrap unfrosted cake slices individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds. Make fresh frosting when ready to serve, or freeze frosting separately in a small container.

To reheat refrigerated slices, microwave for 15–20 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes. The texture stays remarkably moist when stored properly. For meal prep, this cinnamon roll cake recipe is ideal since the flavors actually deepen after a day, making it perfect for planning ahead for brunches or special occasions.