✨ Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake ✨
If you’ve ever sunk your teeth into a warm, gooey Cinnabon cinnamon roll and thought, “This should be a cake,” well, now your sweet dreams are coming true! Introducing the Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake, a twist on the iconic cinnamon rolls, but in soft, decadent sheet cake form. The layers of fluffy cake combined with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar, topped with a rich, buttery glaze, make this dessert a treat that tastes just like the famous rolls — but easier to make and serve!
Whether you’re looking for something special to make for brunch, a holiday gathering, or just need an indulgent snack, this cake is your go-to. It’s a warm hug in dessert form, and once you make it, you won’t be able to stop.
The Ingredients 🍰
For the Cake Batter:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for the swirl)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl:
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for drizzling)
For the Glorious Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4–5 tbsp whole milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt (optional)
A Brief History of Cinnabon 🍩
Cinnabon, the beloved cinnamon roll chain, was founded in 1985 in Seattle, Washington, by Gregory K. (Greg) & Jerilyn Brenneman. The goal was simple: to create a warm, aromatic cinnamon roll that would fill shopping malls with the irresistible scent of freshly baked goods. Their rolls, made with high-quality ingredients like Makara cinnamon and a signature icing, quickly became an international sensation. Over the years, Cinnabon has expanded to more than 1,000 locations worldwide, and its signature cinnamon rolls have a dedicated fanbase, inspiring endless variations — including this very cake.
Now, you can enjoy the same iconic flavors in a much easier, shareable format. Let’s get baking!
The Method: How to Make This Decadent Cake 🧑🍳
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter will be thick but smooth.
Step 2: Create the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Pour the prepared cake batter into the pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the cake batter.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the butter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon-sugar into the cake batter in a figure-eight pattern. This will create that delicious swirl of cinnamon goodness you love in a Cinnabon!
Step 3: Bake the Cake
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Glaze
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt if desired.
- Stir until smooth and well combined. Add more milk if the glaze is too thick or more powdered sugar if it’s too thin. You want a smooth, pourable consistency.
Step 5: Glaze and Serve
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over the top of the cake.
- Slice into squares and serve warm. The cake is even better the next day when the cinnamon flavor has had time to meld.
Conclusion: The Perfect Cinnamon-Sugar Hug 🤎
Whether you’re preparing for a brunch gathering, a holiday celebration, or simply indulging in a well-deserved treat, this Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The cake is wonderfully soft and fluffy, the cinnamon-sugar swirl adds that irresistible flavor, and the sweet glaze ties everything together in a symphony of comfort.
With the famous Cinnabon flavor in every bite, this cake brings the magic of the classic cinnamon rolls without the hassle of rolling and baking each one individually. It’s an easier way to satisfy your cinnamon cravings in a big way!
For the Cinnamon Roll Lovers… 🥰
This cake is perfect for anyone who has a soft spot for those melt-in-your-mouth, cinnamon-swirled pastries. The soft texture, rich cinnamon flavor, and thick, gooey glaze will have you reminiscing about the best Cinnabon roll you’ve ever had. Trust us, you’ll want to make this cake a regular in your baking rotation!
Now, who’s ready to take a bite of this dreamy cinnamon treat? 😍