CINNABON-STYLE CINNAMON CAKE
Soft, buttery, swirled with cinnamon sugar goodness — like your favorite mall cinnamon roll turned into a fluffy cake.
✨ Introduction
If you love the warm, sweet aroma of a Cinnabon roll fresh from the oven, this Cinnabon Cinnamon Cake is about to become your new obsession. It has all the cozy flavors of classic cinnamon rolls — buttery richness, sweet cinnamon spice, and a tender crumb — but without all the rolling and waiting.
This cake is simple, comforting, and made from pantry staples. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or an anytime dessert with coffee or tea. One bite and your kitchen will smell like a bakery!
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cake Batter:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup milk (room temperature)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Cinnamon Swirl (For Extra Cinnabon Flavor):
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Optional Cream Cheese Glaze (Highly Recommended!):
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Add:
- Melted butter
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla
Mix until smooth and fully combined. Do not overmix — just until incorporated.
Step 4: Create the Swirl (Optional but Amazing!)
In a small bowl, mix:
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Melted butter
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture over the top and use a knife to gently swirl it into the batter.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
The top should be lightly golden and fragrant.
Step 6: Make the Glaze
Beat together:
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
Slowly add milk until smooth and pourable.
Drizzle over the cake while slightly warm for that classic Cinnabon-style melt.
🔥 Baking Methods & Tips
- Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother batter.
- Don’t overbake — this cake should stay soft and moist.
- For extra richness, substitute half the milk with heavy cream.
- Add chopped pecans for a Southern twist.
- Want it extra gooey? Poke small holes in the warm cake and pour glaze into them.
📜 History & Inspiration
Cinnamon has been used in baking for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt. Cinnamon rolls became popular in Sweden (where they celebrate “Kanelbullens Dag” — Cinnamon Roll Day!).
The famous American mall-style cinnamon roll inspired bakers to create easier, quicker versions — and that’s how cinnamon roll cakes were born. This cake captures those iconic flavors in a simple, fuss-free form.
🧁 Formation & Texture
- Soft, fluffy crumb
- Warm cinnamon throughout
- Slightly crisp golden edges
- Creamy, sweet glaze melting into every bite
It’s like a cinnamon roll met a buttery coffee cake — and they fell in love.
❤️ Who Loves This Cake?
- Cinnamon roll lovers
- Coffee drinkers
- Holiday bakers
- Busy parents
- Anyone who wants bakery flavor without yeast
Kids love the sweetness. Adults love it with coffee. Everyone asks for seconds.
🎉 Serving Ideas
- Serve warm for breakfast
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for dessert
- Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finish
- Add caramel drizzle for extra indulgence
🏁 Conclusion
This Cinnabon Cinnamon Cake is comfort in every slice — warm, buttery, sweet, and nostalgic. It brings the bakery to your kitchen without the complicated steps.
Once you make it, it might just become a family favorite — the kind of recipe passed down and requested again and again.
Bake it once… and you’ll understand why cinnamon lovers can’t resist it.
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#OldFashionedBaking
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#ComfortFood
#HomemadeGoodness