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Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cake with Glaze

As seen on: Delicious Dessert Recipes

Turn your favorite cinnamon rolls into a tasty cake you can pop in the oven fast. You'll get buttery, fluffy cake with cinnamon-brown sugar swirls and sweet vanilla icing up top. Dig in for breakfast or grab a piece after dinner.

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emilyscooks.com
Shared By Emily
Last revised on Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:13:14 GMT
A rich slice of cinnamon cake topped with thick glaze, sitting on a simple white plate. Save this
A rich slice of cinnamon cake topped with thick glaze, sitting on a simple white plate. | emilyscooks.com

Let me tell you about my go-to favorite that packs all the cozy goodness of cinnamon rolls into an easy treat. Every time I bake this, my kitchen fills up with the best cinnamon smell, reminding me of happy times. The cake turns out super soft with sweet cinnamon-sugar ribbons all through it and a delicious vanilla glaze drizzled on top that brings everyone running.

Easiest Ever Cinnamon Cake

I spent years rolling dough for cinnamon buns before I found out how much fun this cake version is. All the cinnamon roll yumminess shows up without spending forever baking. The swirl melts right into the cake, making every bite soft and flavorful. That simple glaze on top is the cherry on the cake. People always think I put in way more effort than I actually did.

Stuff You'll Need

  • For the Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 5-6 tablespoons milk
  • For the Swirl: 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 cup butter room temp, 2 tablespoons flour
  • For the Cake Itself: 1/2 cup melted butter, 3 cups regular flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 1 cup white sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Iced cinnamon swirl cake slice on a plate showing its pretty layers. Save this
Iced cinnamon swirl cake slice on a plate showing its pretty layers. | emilyscooks.com

Time to Bake Together

Finish with the Glaze
Stir your glaze ingredients in a bowl until you've got no lumps.
Swirl the Flavors
Spoon your cinnamon-butter blend all over, then run a knife through the batter and swirl it around.
Get That Cinnamon Mix Ready
Beat together softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until it's fluffy.
Bake It Up
Bake roughly 30 to 35 minutes or until you see golden edges.
Drizzle and Enjoy
Once it's not too hot, pour the glaze over your cake.
Begin With the Batter
Turn your oven on to 350°F and grease your pan. Whisk the dry stuff first, pour in the wet stuff, and mix until just smooth.

Little Tips I Love

Go slow when you swirl the cinnamon it just looks so pretty that way. I mess around with how thick the glaze is, depending on what I'm craving. Sometimes I sneak in a pinch of nutmeg for coziness.

How I Like to Enjoy It

This is the best fresh and warm. I love it with coffee in the morning or for a sweet pick-me-up later. If there's extra, just cover and keep it on the counter for two days, or stash it in the fridge for five. Heat up a slice for a just-baked taste anytime.

Questions I Hear All the Time

  • Can I prep this early? Definitely! Make it the night before and reheat a slice when you're ready.
  • Is freezing okay? For sure! Wrap leftovers tight and they'll be good in the freezer for a month.
  • Can I toss in extras? Totally! Nuts like pecans or walnuts in the swirl are awesome.

Common Questions

→ Can I make this cake ahead of time?

You sure can. Bake it off a day early if you want. For the best bite, wait to pour on the glaze until you're ready to eat.

→ Why does my cinnamon swirl sink to the bottom?

If your butter gets too melty or your cinnamon layer is too runny, it'll all dive to the bottom. Keep the butter just soft for a perfect swirl.

→ How should I store leftover cake?

Just cover it up and leave it on the counter for up to 3 days. The topping helps it stay nice and soft.

→ Can I freeze this cake?

Yep, pop the cake (without icing) in the freezer for as long as 3 months. Thaw it all the way, then spread new glaze right before digging in.

→ How do I know when the cake is done?

Stick a toothpick in the middle and pull it out — it should be clean. The cake will be lightly golden and should bounce back if you poke it.

Cinnamon Cake

Super simple and packed with cinnamon roll flavors, this fluffy cake is finished off with a smooth vanilla drizzle.

Preparation Time
15 Minutes
Cooking Time
35 Minutes
Overall Time
50 Minutes
Shared By: Emily

Meal Type: Desserts

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Style: American

Makes: 12 Portions (12 pieces)

Special Diet: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll Need

01 items 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
02 items 1 cup unsalted butter, softened.
03 items 2 large eggs.
04 items 5-6 tablespoons milk.
05 items 1½ cups milk.
06 items ½ cup unsalted butter, melted.
07 items 3 cups all-purpose flour.
08 items 1 cup granulated sugar.
09 items 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
10 items 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
11 items 2 cups powdered sugar.
12 items 4 teaspoons baking powder.
13 items 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
14 items ½ teaspoon salt.
15 items 1 cup brown sugar, packed.

Steps To Make It

Step 01

Hold off before slicing so the glaze gets a chance to firm up.

Step 02

Drizzle that sweet glaze all over your warm cake.

Step 03

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and a dash of vanilla in a bowl.

Step 04

Put it in the oven for about 30 to 35 minutes. Take it out when a toothpick poked in the middle is clean.

Step 05

Use a knife and give the top a few swirls. That’s how you get those pretty cinnamon ribbons.

Step 06

Now, drop dollops of cinnamon sugar mix here and there over the batter.

Step 07

Spread the batter out evenly in your ready dish.

Step 08

For the cinnamon ribbon, throw soft butter, brown sugar, a scoop of flour, and cinnamon into a bowl and blend it up.

Step 09

Mix everything together until there aren’t any dry bits left.

Step 10

Pour in both types of milk, your eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix that into the dry stuff.

Step 11

Grab a big bowl and put in flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir it up.

Step 12

Crank up your oven to 350°F first. Grease a 9x13 pan so nothing sticks.

Extra Notes

  1. If you swirl gently, you'll get nice marble shapes.
  2. If your glaze looks too thick, splash in more milk.
  3. A bit of nutmeg in the cinnamon swirl tastes awesome.
  4. Let it cool off a bit before adding the glaze.

Essential Tools

  • 9x13-inch pan.
  • A few mixing bowls.
  • Whisk.

Allergen Info

Review ingredients carefully for allergens, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy: milk and butter.
  • Eggs are in.
  • Contains wheat (flour).

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Keep in mind, this data is an estimate and not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
  • Calories: 310
  • Fat Content: 14 grams
  • Total Carbs: 45 grams
  • Protein Content: 4 grams