(A gooey, cinnamon-swirled cake topped with a sweet glaze—basically a cinnamon roll in cake form!)
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (more if needed for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter will be thick and creamy—perfect for holding all that cinnamon goodness!
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Drizzle the melted butter into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and stir until it’s a smooth paste.
- Layer the Cake and Cinnamon Swirl:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter, then use a knife or toothpick to swirl it into the batter.
- Add the remaining cake batter on top and swirl in the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Bake the Cake:
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top.
- Make the Glaze:
- While the cake is cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Add more milk if the glaze is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it’s too runny.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Once the cake has cooled slightly (but still warm), drizzle the glaze over the top. Slice into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- Make sure to swirl the cinnamon mixture gently into the batter—too much swirling and it’ll mix completely, losing that perfect cinnamon roll effect!
- Let the cake cool slightly before glazing to avoid the glaze melting into the cake too quickly.
DON’T:
- Skip the glaze—it’s the finishing touch that gives this cake its irresistible sweetness!
- Overmix the batter—just stir until everything is combined for the fluffiest texture.
Pro Tips:
- Want to add a little extra flair? Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon swirl for some crunch.
- If you prefer an extra gooey cinnamon roll experience, you can heat up the cake slices in the microwave for a few seconds before drizzling with glaze.
This Cinnamon Roll Cake takes all the deliciousness of cinnamon rolls and turns it into an easy-to-make cake—perfect for breakfast, dessert, or whenever you need a warm, comforting treat! 🍩🍯🍰
