Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

If you're craving the cozy comfort of cinnamon rolls but want the ease of a cake, this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake is the perfect solution. A rich, buttery batter with a cinnamon mixture swirled throughout the cake. This cake will give you all the flavor of classic cinnamon rolls, without the wait.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

This delicious recipe is from my sister-in-law who shared it with my mother-in-law, who shared it with me. Yes, we were keeping it in the family until now! We are cinnamon roll lovers and this recipe takes that love and puts it in an easy cake. If you love traditional cinnamon rolls but don’t have time for the dough to rise and the kneading, this Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe is the next best thing. It’s everything you love about homemade cinnamon rolls, a soft fluffy texture and vanilla frosting, but in the form of a cake that is ready in a fraction of the time. Whether you're making it for Christmas morning, weekend brunch, or just to pair with a cup of coffee, this homemade Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake may just become a family favorite!

What You Need

Cake:

• Sugar 

• Milk

• Egg

• Vanilla Extract

• All Purpose Flour

• Baking Powder

• Salt

• Butter, melted

Topping:

• Butter, softened

• Brown Sugar

• Cinnamon

• Flour

Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar

• Milk

• Vanilla Extract

Tips for Making Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

• For a moist cake, make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients don't combine as smoothly and can lead to uneven texture.

• Do not over mix the batter; it can make your delicious cake dense.

• Be sure to prep your pan thoroughly to avoid sticking.

A Couple More Reasons to Eat Cake for Breakfast

Cinnamon-Sugar Coffee Cake Easy Graham Streusel Cake

​How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 350°F.  Prepare and 8x8-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.  In a small bowl, melt the butter and set aside. 

Step 2:  In a large bowl, combine sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla extract and mix with an electric mixer on low speed. Once ingredients are combined, add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt) and mix. Finally, add the melted butter and mix until just combined (don't over mix). Pour the combined ingredients into the prepared pan and set aside.

Above Left: Cake ingredients being combined. Above Right: All cake ingredients combined and poured into prepared pan.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and flour and mix until fully combined. Drop the cinnamon filling mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture into the cake batter. 

Above Left: Cinnamon mixture to add to cake batter. Above Middle: Cinnamon mixture added. Above Right: Cinnamon mixture and cake batter swirled together.

Step 4: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. While the cake is baking, grab a small bowl and combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and mix until fully combined. Drizzle this simple vanilla glaze over the warm cake.  

Above Left: Glaze ready to add to baked cake. Above Right: A piece of Cinnamon Roll Cake with glaze added.

How to Store Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and freeze. You can warm slices in the microwave to bring back that fresh-baked feel and enjoy with a cup of coffee!

Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake ready to enjoy!

If you are a lover of coffee cake, this cake brings together the best parts of classic cinnamon rolls, but in a no-fuss format that’s perfect for everyday cooking fun. Whether you're baking it the next morning after prepping the night before (just like overnight cinnamon rolls) or whipping it up from a boxed cake mix with your favorite secret ingredient, this easy cake always hits the spot.  No matter how much butter or how many different components you use, the real magic is in that gooey cinnamon mixture and warm vanilla glaze. A sweet treat for any cinnamon lover. It is Forkin' Good!

Click the below button to take you to the full recipe card (or for a printable recipe card) that includes nutritional information. 

PRINT RECIPE

Be sure to follow me on Facebook & Instagram so you never miss a post!  If you make this recipe, I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment at the bottom of this page! THANK YOU!