Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake
🧁 Makes: 9x13-inch cake
⏱ Time: 25 min prep | 40–45 min bake | 15 min glaze set
📝 Ingredients
Cake:
2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Glaze:
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk (or more for desired consistency)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the cake batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. The batter will be thick.
3. Make the cinnamon sugar swirl:
In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4. Assemble the cake:
Spread the cake batter evenly in the prepared 9x13 baking dish.
Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon sugar swirl over the top of the batter and use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon filling through the batter (don’t overmix — you want those gooey pockets of cinnamon goodness to stay intact!).
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (the cake may look a little "swirled" and that's totally fine!).
5. Make the cream cheese glaze:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency (you want it to be pourable but not too thin).
6. Finish and serve:
Once the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, pour the cream cheese glaze generously over the top, letting it drizzle down the sides.
Let the cake cool slightly before serving (or serve warm for an extra cozy experience!).
✨ Optional Toppings:
Chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.
More cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top for that extra flavor burst.
A drizzle of caramel or more melted butter for indulgence.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate comfort.