Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake

This Cinnabon-inspired cinnamon roll cake gives you all the nostalgic warmth of a classic cinnamon roll without the kneading or rising time. It bakes into a soft, tender cake swirled with buttery cinnamon-sugar ribbons that taste just like the mall-favorite treat. Perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or holiday mornings, it delivers big cinnamon-roll flavor in a fraction of the effort. Served warm with a sweet vanilla glaze, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4–5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.
3. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla; mix until a smooth batter forms.
4. Stir in the melted butter, then pour batter into the prepared pan.
5. Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (if using) to make the filling.
6. Drop spoonfuls of the filling over the batter and swirl with a knife.
7. Bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
8. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze.
9. Drizzle glaze over the warm cake and let it rest briefly before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: ~410 kcal | Servings: 12

Tips

• For deeper cinnamon swirls, drag the knife all the way to the bottom of the pan as you marble the filling.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead?
Yes—assemble the batter and filling in the pan, cover, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning.

Can I add raisins or more nuts?
Absolutely—fold raisins into the filling or sprinkle extra nuts on top before baking.

Can I double the glaze?
Yes, if you prefer a thicker, sweeter coating, simply increase all glaze ingredients evenly.

How do I know when the cake is done?
The edges should be lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.