Go Back
Easy Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Easy Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Roll Cake

A tender cinnamon-swirled breakfast cake made with a simple batter, buttery brown sugar topping, and vanilla glaze. It has all the cozy flavor of cinnamon rolls with a much quicker preparation.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Milk
  • 2 large Large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Butter, melted
Cinnamon Topping
  • 1 cup Butter, softened
  • 1 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
Glaze
  • 2 cups Powdered sugar
  • 5 tablespoons Milk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
  2. Add the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir just until a smooth batter forms, taking care not to overmix.
  3. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well combined.
  4. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture over the batter. Run a knife through the topping and batter in gentle swirling motions to create a marbled cinnamon-roll pattern.
  5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, beginning to check at about 25 minutes. The center should be set, and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion should come out mostly clean.
  6. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth glaze. Cool the cake for 10 to 15 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the warm cake, and cut into squares.

Notes

Use softened rather than melted butter for the cinnamon topping so it remains in distinct swirls. Do not overbake, since the cake should stay soft and moist. For cleaner slices, cool for 10 to 15 minutes before glazing and cutting.