This Cinnamon Roll Cake has all the features of your favorite roll and is made entirely from scratch! Every layer of this cake is made in just minutes using ingredients that you usually have in your pantry.
If you love cinnamon desserts, like this cake, you will love our Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole and the Cinnamon Sugar Mini Donut Muffins!
CINNAMON ROLL CAKE
So many recipes use a cake mix, a tube of biscuits or even cinnamon rolls. I don’t buy these because I love to make them using real ingredients, like flour and eggs. So I am here to tell you today that it is absolutely possible to make a Cinnamon Roll Cake from scratch, which means that all you need is basic staples and you can make an irresistible treat without sacrificing the taste or having shattered expectations. Because this cake tastes just like a cinnamon roll – everyone’s favorite sweet roll.
How to make Cinnamon Roll Cake?
Everything comes together so quickly and no special equipment is needed. The base is a delicious yellow butter cake with a perfectly moist and delicate crumb. The cinnamon filling is incredible and as soon as you make it – you will want to put it on everything! The vanilla glaze is the perfect finishing touch on this cake.
The Cake Layer
- Grease the cake pan and preheat the oven.
- Whisk dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients (except butter) and whisk well.
- Whisk in melted butter until the cake batter is smooth.
- Pour into the pan and set aside.
The Cinnamon Filling
- Using an electric mixer, beat butter for about 30 seconds.
- Add flour and cinnamon and mix for 2 minutes until the mixture is fluffy.
- Spread the filling on top of cake batter, keeping 1″ away from the edges.
- Make swirls with spatula or a spoon.
- Bake cake until done.
The Glaze
- Whisk sifted powder sugar with milk and vanilla.
- Spread over still warm cake.
How do I know if the cake is done?
To check if the cake is baked through, insert a toothpick (or dry spaghetti noodle!) into the cake part. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it has few crumbs stuck to it, place it back in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
Can I make this cake in a bundt pan?
Yes! To make this cake in a bundt pan, pour half of the cake batter into the greased and floured pan, then spread and swirl filling, then topped with remaining cake batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. When done, dress up the cake with glaze.
More Sweet Recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out! 😀
This Cinnamon Roll Cake has all the features of your favorite roll and is made entirely from scratch! Every layer of this cake is made in just minutes using ingredients that you usually have in your pantry.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, 1 stick
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature, 2 sticks
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 5 Tbsp milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Grease a 9"x13" cake pan (or line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil and grease the sides and bottom). Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.
- Add milk, eggs and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly add the melted butter and whisk until everything is smooth.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, beat butter with electric mixer until creamy.
- Add sugar, flour and cinnamon and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. (It will look crumbly at first but keep beating, it will come together.)
- Spread the filling over the cake batter, leaving at least 1 inch of space from the edge of the pan. Swirl gently with a off-set icing spatula or a rubber spatula.
- Bake the cake for 28 to 32 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the cake part comes out clean.
- Cool the cake for 15 minutes. Pour the glaze over the cake and spread evenly.
- Sift the powdered sugar over a medium mixing bowl.
- Add vanilla and milk and whisk together until smooth and drizzling consistency. Spread over still warm cake.
- Keeps covered in room temperature for up to 3 days.
Recipe Video
Note: Some of you had a problem with the cinnamon filling burning on the edges of the pan while the cake is not done yet. I am making a not in the recipe not to spread the cinnamon filling all the way to the edge of the cake batter. Leave at least 1 inch of space from the edge. Thank you for the comments and letting me know!
Jenn says
March 3, 2019 at 1:08 pmWhat a wonderful recipe! I found that wrapping individual pieces and keeping them in the freezer makes it easy to keep on hand for enjoying with coffee/tea. It microwaves beautifully! Yum!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
March 4, 2019 at 6:06 pmThank you so much, Jenn! I am so glad you love it! I love your tip about freezing pieces. Genius!
VK says
December 11, 2018 at 11:14 amHi – I can’t seem to find a link to the video. Can you please send? I look forward to making it this weekend. Thanks!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
December 11, 2018 at 2:36 pmHi! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmdbus-bJ0Q
AMANDA says
May 17, 2018 at 7:35 amabsolutely the best, i am a mom o 16 yr old boy i take three of his friends home from school i took this yesterday fresh. They loved it one comment was why does it have to be soooo goooood!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU
THIS IS A FAMILY HEIRLOOM
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
May 19, 2018 at 12:05 amHi Amanda! Yay! That’s so awesome! THANK YOU!! I am so happy to know you made this recipe and everyone loved it. 😀
Janet says
January 6, 2018 at 12:54 pmI doubled the recipe for a large family, it came out great,, smelled heavenly, tasted great. A little dry the second day but was fine when microwaved 15 seconds. Fyi a small piece goes a long way. Next time I won’t double it…Lol
Wana Darwisj says
November 12, 2014 at 1:47 amJust made this.. It’s yummy and I can’t stop eating.. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kellie says
October 22, 2014 at 9:10 pmI can’t wait to make this!
Jamie Hakes Millard says
August 2, 2014 at 3:46 pmThis was amazingly delicious. I might try just using 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter in the filling next time because it was oozing through the bottom of the cake a lot.
Denise Stewart says
June 2, 2014 at 9:42 amThis cake is amazing! I made it last night and it was the biggest hit! It just melts in your mouth! I was curious if you have tried reducing the butter at all and replacing 1 stick of butter with 1 c. of applesauce? I’m so happy I came across your blog… your recipes look so good! Thank you for sharing!!!
PJ says
June 1, 2014 at 8:22 amAbsolutely delicious, I have made it on four seperate occasions now. I half the batch since.their is only two people eating and it is more than enough food. I have only finished it off in one sitting twice
Jennifer says
May 26, 2014 at 8:48 amHi, I need some help with this cake! I made this yesterday per the instructions and the filling came out a big old mess. When i spread the filling on top of the cake batter, and then swirled/marbled it in, it really did no good at all. The filling sat on top of the cake as it baked, and did not seep into the cake at all. Essentially, I ended up with a yellow cake and a crispy cooked cinnamon brown sugar crust on top. I was hesitant to put the vanilla glaze on top of all this mess. Judging by the photo, it looks like you may have layered some of the batter, then put the filling, and then put the rest of the batter on top prior to marbling. Suggestions, anyone??
CrunchyCreamySw says
May 26, 2014 at 9:02 amHi Jennifer! I am so sorry you had problems with this cake. The filling should sink into the cake during baking. I didn’t layer it. I spread it over the batter (as seen in photos).
Jennifer says
May 26, 2014 at 9:03 amHmm, I wonder why my filling did not sink in…it bubbled up and oozed all over the place, like I was cooking caramel or something! 🙂 Maybe I’ll try layering mine to see how it comes out!
Hiedie says
July 16, 2018 at 8:28 pmI didnt sift my flour the first time and my rack was too high and thats what happened to me to. the second time i sifted my flour and lowered my rack and came out perfect
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
July 16, 2018 at 11:19 pmThank you for sharing, Hiedie!
Suzie says
March 28, 2018 at 5:16 pmHi there. This cake looked great in the pictures, but I had the exact same trouble as Jennifer on 5/26/14. Completely liquid caramel-like layer on top of the cake layer (as cake was baking) hardened to a grainy, crunchy layer. I followed the instructions exactly except that I didn’t assemble the wet/dry elements of the batter until I was ready to put the whole thing together. Maybe that’s the issue? Maybe it’s important that the cake batter begin to rise in the pan before you add the spoonfuls of filling, so that they more or less stay in place? But it strikes me that the filling might need more flour or something to keep its body – otherwise, in a 350-degree oven, I don’t see how it would fail to liquify and just run all over the place. Maybe there’s a reason cinnamon buns have a yeated dough… ?
Muriah says
May 17, 2014 at 7:43 amI made this yesterday, to have with my coffee this weekend. It is WONDERFUL! Someone at work had made a cinnamon roll cake and I loved it, so I searched the recipe and found yours, and I’m glad I did! The cake itself has such a moist and crumbly texture, I can see myself using the base recipe for other types of cakes. The ONLY thing I’d do different next time is add a little more sugar to the cinnamon mixture, probably some white sugar along with the brown. I’ll shut up now so I can enjoy my cake n coffee;)
Eric Altman says
May 3, 2014 at 11:22 pmI just made this now and had a big square. It’s… almost perfect but a little off. A bit of graininess like perhaps some raw flour remained, and I followed directions to the letter (and number). Textural issues aside, it’s incredibly delicious!
Vusala says
April 29, 2014 at 11:33 pmHello! I found this recipe while googlin for smth to use loads of butter I had. Made it the other day, and… OMG never tried anythin tastier!!! Though I’m trynna lose some postpartum weight, couldnt hold myself n ate whole 2 slices while still warm! Thank you a bunch! In my recipes book already. Cant wait to try other recipes from you.
Cheers!
Bea Muniz says
March 8, 2014 at 7:26 amThis recipe is fabulously delicious!! I made this cinnamon roll cake on Christmas morning and my boys and neighbors loved it! Now my oldest son has asked me to bake it again, so here I go! (Note to self: Print this recipe, its a keeper!)
alma says
February 28, 2014 at 5:20 pmMade this and it came out perfect and so freaking delicious!!! Love this recipe!
mandy says
February 26, 2014 at 1:29 pmI think it’s a great base recipe. I made it today for work and it was a huge hit. The variations could be
fun. Using orange or lemon zest in place of cinnamon? Or cardamom and almond? Cinnamon and slivered almonds- would taste like those candied almonds from the fair! Or browned butter and bacon in the cake??! OMG. Now I want to make this again.
CrunchyCreamySw says
February 25, 2014 at 11:57 amHi there! The melted butter is not the one you should grease the pan with. The melted butter goes into the batter of the cake. Check the step by step photos. Thanks!
Ginny Raniag says
February 5, 2014 at 4:38 pmI made this yesterday and it was the best from scratch cake Ive ever made! Made it just like the recipe says. Loved it!
CrunchyCreamySw says
February 5, 2014 at 4:55 pmWoohoo! I am so glad, Ginny! Thank you for letting me know!
Nicole Durban says
January 30, 2014 at 3:55 pmI made this and it was amazing, I have never been able to succeed making cinnamon buns (hockey pucks) so this is a fantastic alternative and my kids loved it 🙂 thank you!
Alicia Hansen says
January 26, 2014 at 5:35 pmI wanted to let you know I tried this recently and it is AMAZING!! I used it for some cinnamon roll cake pops (after I had some of the cake for myself, yum!) and the flavor was perfect. I loved it so much I have it as a regular on my menu and hope people order all the time so I have a reason to make the cake, lol. I’m definitely going to make this for the next fight-night potluck I attend. Thank you so much for sharing!
vintage finds says
January 17, 2014 at 3:11 pmI love your blog and so far every yummy recipe I have made has been over the top excellent…it made our Christmas extra delightful & also to the friends I gave goodie baskets to..your recipes are amazing…
I do have one question about the cinnamon cake. …I just made it..well it is in the oven but the problem I had was when I had the filling all ready to spread I knew there was going to be an issue with the thickness of the filling…it does not spread evenly nor will it spread at all…it is way to thick….so did I miss something or is there an easier way to get this filling to spread without interrupting the cake batter itself?….just need to know as I plan on making it 50 times till I get it down perfect because it looks amazing and I can smell it cooking now & wow is all I can say….just need advice on the filling….thanks so much & for all the wonderful recipes
CrunchyCreamySw says
January 17, 2014 at 6:59 pmHi there! Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I will make the cake again and take photos of all the steps. I hope that will help. Have a fabulous day!
Daisy says
December 26, 2013 at 2:50 amWow, I was giving the recipe a side-eye with the amount of butter it takes, but it ended up tasting delicious! Thanks for the recipe! I didn’t have a 9×13 cake pan on hand, so I used a 9-in springform pan instead. I don’t think I swirled the filling into the cake enough since a lot of it stayed in the middle and prevented the whole cake from hardening, but it was still a hit!
CrunchyCreamySw says
December 2, 2013 at 3:32 pmHi Carito! Thank you for the comment. It looks like it the filling is in the middle because it will sink in a little during baking. The instructions are correct. One of my readers made the cake a day before and it came out great. You can see her comment below. As far as baking at high altitudes, I recommend this article. It has all the tips you need:
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipe/high-altitude-baking.html
Let me know how it goes! Thank you!
KatiaCur says
February 13, 2014 at 8:59 amGood day! I’m baking this wonderful looking cake for my husband’s b-day tomorrow (yup…valentine’s baby!) since he doesn’t like any traditional cake, but loves cinnamon rolls. Thanks for this comment! we’re at high altitude, and I was going to write now asking you for tips about it…so this comment by Carito and you just made my planning complete!! I will let you know how it all went!! thanks for working out this wonderful recipe!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
February 13, 2014 at 9:50 amYAY! That’s fantastic! Let us know how it turns out, Katia! Thank you!
Maya says
November 21, 2013 at 8:01 pmThanks for the recipe. I easily veganized, used a tube pan instead of a square pan and I omitted the icing. I think it’s just perfect with the cinnamon topping. I also cut the amount of butter on the filling half because, let’s face it. 1 stick ought to be enough and it came out just as gooey delicious mmm, mmm, mmm. (Sorry, I can’t speak, I’m eating!!!) 🙂 Thanks again for sharing!!! This is sure to become a traditional recipe at my house from now on.
CrunchyCreamySw says
November 24, 2013 at 5:43 pmOh wow!! Thank you so much for the comment and the photo, Maya! Looks fabulous!
Nicole says
November 5, 2013 at 2:24 pmI’ve made this a couple times when we have house guests…..next time will be Thanksgiving morning….To help with all I have to do that day….I mix it up the night before and then I just have to cook it in the morning….comes out great 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
November 6, 2013 at 3:15 pmYay! That’s wonderful, Nicole! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Kathie Olson says
November 3, 2013 at 3:59 pmI made this cake this morning and it smelled wonderful. It took at least 10 mins longer to cook and even then the center was not cooked through. Has anyone else had that problem.
It’s possible the problem came from forgetting to add the milk till after I mixed the dry ingredients, eggs and melted butter.
CrunchyCreamySw says
November 3, 2013 at 6:47 pmHi Kathie! I am so glad you tried the cake! Thank you! It is always recommended to follow the instructions and the order of adding the ingredients. It happened to me before that one little mistake changed the final product.
Ursula says
November 19, 2013 at 5:21 pmI followed the steps carefully and am having the same problem! the brownsugar filling is burning on the sides but the centre of the cake is still not cooked thorugh, jelly-like. I will cook it longer see how it goes.
CrunchyCreamySw says
November 24, 2013 at 5:44 pmHi Ursula! I will make a note in the recipe to not to spread the cinnamon filling all the way to the edge of the cake batter. I think this might help. So glad it was a hit on the birthday dinner! Thank you so much for the comment!
kitchenexplorer says
June 29, 2014 at 2:34 pmi am doing this as we speak and it wasn’t cooked right through either, am guessing coz i dint follow the order of events, but i just cant wait for it to set! already smells delish!!! thank you soooo much for providing an outlet for satisfying my cinnamon pastry craving(and fantasy of making it myself)!!!!!!!!!!!
Jessica_AKitchenAddiction says
October 14, 2013 at 8:28 amPretty sure that having a slice of this cake would have helped me get out of bed this morning! 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 14, 2013 at 8:34 pmI bet it would! 🙂 Thanks, Jessica!
Emily @ Life on Food says
October 14, 2013 at 5:33 amSold and sold! This looks amazing. Cinnamon rolls are my favorite.
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 14, 2013 at 8:34 pmSame here! 🙂 Thanks, Emily!
Julia@JuliasAlbum.com says
October 13, 2013 at 2:24 amOh, this cinnamon roll cake is like a cross between the cinnamon roll and a cake! Perfect with hot tea or coffee!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 14, 2013 at 8:34 pmYou will love it, Julia! Thank you!
Laura Dembowski says
October 12, 2013 at 11:14 amI keep wanting to make this cake and now I have to for sure. It looks amazing!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 12, 2013 at 11:31 amYou simply have to! 🙂 Thanks, Laura!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
October 12, 2013 at 7:04 amIt’s from scratch. Yay! 🙂 I don’t have anything against cake mixes. I just get annoyed when I see a recipe with them because we don’t have cake mixes over here.
Anyway, awesome recipe! I’ve never tried anything like this. Gotta get on that!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 12, 2013 at 11:30 amYay! Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try it, Erin! Thank you!
Nancy says
October 11, 2013 at 6:57 pmThis sounds like a dream, Anna, a wonderful delicious dream! I love cakes that are insanely tasty yet easy to make. Anything that tastes like a cinnamon roll without all the fuss is welcome in my life!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 12, 2013 at 11:30 amSame here! I am so happy to have this recipe! Thank you, Nancy! xo
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
October 11, 2013 at 2:48 pmThis looks AMAZING. Just perfect. I am pinning this and cant’ wait to try it out!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 11, 2013 at 5:06 pmThank you, Cate! Let me know if you do! It is an amazing cake!
Lily R says
October 11, 2013 at 7:31 amWowwww this looks like a heavenly cross between cinnamon rolls and coffee cake!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 11, 2013 at 10:25 amIt’s fabulous! Thank you, Lily!
Tutti Dolci says
October 11, 2013 at 12:45 amThis cake sounds too good, love that it’s from scratch!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 11, 2013 at 10:25 amThanks, Laura!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
October 10, 2013 at 5:30 pmGoodness, gracious! Anna, your Cinnamon Roll Cake looks phenomenally good! Love that you enjoy baking from scratch like I do. Kudos, girl…I cannot wait to bake this. Mmmm. Thanks for sharing! Pinning (of course)!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 11, 2013 at 10:25 amHigh five to baking from scratch!! 🙂 Thank you, Stacy and thank you for pinning!
Jessica |Portuguese Girl Cooks says
October 10, 2013 at 4:01 pmThis looks fabulous, Anna! Definitely making this for Thanksgiving this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 11, 2013 at 10:24 amThank you, Jessica!
Jennifer says
October 10, 2013 at 1:27 pmIf I wanted the cake to be pumpkin flavored, how would you suggest adjusting the cake ingredient amounts? This sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 1:56 pmHi Jennifer! I would probably add about 1/4 to 1/2 c of pumpkin puree to the filling mixture. Let me know if you try it! Thank you!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
October 10, 2013 at 12:46 pmI love this! Cinnamon rolls are amazing, but sometimes I don’t want to mess with yeast. This looks like the perfect way to get my fix without the fuss!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 1:53 pmThat’s what I was thinking too. It’s definitely a keeper! 🙂 Thanks, Courtney!
Colette says
October 10, 2013 at 12:21 pmThis looks heavenly!
Made from scratch & easy? My kind of recipe!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 1:53 pmThanks, Colette!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
October 10, 2013 at 12:04 pmI recently saw a similar recipe and bookmarked it to try. I love the idea of cinnamon roll flavor without the time and effort of making cinnamon rolls. YUM.
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 1:52 pmYou have to make it, Amanda! It’s amazing!!
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 11:06 amHi Adri! Welcome to CCS! Thank you so much for such a sweet comment. I am so happy that you stopped by! I do hope you try this cake – it is fabulous!
Kate@Diethood says
October 10, 2013 at 9:39 amWe’re both rockin’ the Cinnamon Roll today. 🙂 Awesome cake!!! Where’s my coffee?! 😛
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 11:03 amlol I just saw your rolls! Fabulous!
Curry and Comfort says
October 10, 2013 at 6:09 amNom, nom… nom!! I would love a big piece of this yummy treat. 🙂 It’s morning here and checking this out on an empty stomach… my stomach just growled… “gimeme some!!”
CrunchyCreamySw says
October 10, 2013 at 9:23 amHaha! Thank you, Ramona! 🙂