Cinnamon Roll Cake

4.50 from 8 votes

This Cinnamon Roll Cake is packed with cinnamon flavor! A layer of cinnamon rolls sandwiched between two cinnamon swirl cake layers, covered in a cream cheese frosting.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 35

Cinnamon Rolls 2 30

Total Time 5 5

Servings

Calories 647kcal

Author Olivia

Ingredients

Cinnamon Swirl Cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup milk room temperature
4 Tbsp light brown sugar packed
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Rolls

1/3 recipe Cinnamon Rolls or store bought, baked in a 6" round pan

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup cream cheese 8 oz, block, full fat, chilled, cubed
1/4 tsp salt
cornstarch or meringue powder optional

Cinnamon Sugar Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Assembly:

two-bite cinnamon rolls optional, trim tops off each roll

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cinnamon Swirl Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 6" cake rounds and line with parchment.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on med-high until pale and fluffy (approx 3mins). Reduce speed and add eggs one at a time fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla.
Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour (3 additions of flour and 2 of milk). Fully incorporating after each addition.
Pour 1/4 of the cake batter (about 200g) into one of the cake pans, spread evenly. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture (2 1/2 Tbsp). Dollop another 1/4 of the cake batter over the top and spread as best you can (try not to life your spatula too much). Swirl through with a bamboo skewer. Repeat with next cake pan.*
Bake for 30-35mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10mins then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer beat butter until pale and creamy.
Reduce speed to low. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix on low until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt and continue to beat on medium for 1 minute.
Slowly add chilled cream cheese one cube at a time (about 1 tablespoon at a time). Beat well until blended and ensure no lumps of cream cheese remain.
If needed, add cornstarch or meringue powder 1 tablespoon at a time to stiffen the frosting (I didn't but this is an option).
Run mixer on low for a couple of minutes to remove any air bubbles.

Cinnamon Sugar Glaze:

Place all ingredients into a small bowl or measuring cup. Stir until smooth. Add more milk or sugar as needed to get a very thick but pourable glaze. Place plastic wrap directly on top until ready to use.

Assembly:

Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of buttercream and spread evenly. Repeat with cinnamon roll layer** and place final layer of cake on top. Do a thin crumb coat all over the cake and chill for 20mins.
Frost the top and sides of the cake and smooth with a bench scraper. Swirl the top and sides using an offset spatula. Chill to set frosting, at least 30mins.
Place the trimmed tops of the two-bite cinnamon buns along the bottom if desired. Use extra buttercream to adhere them if needed.
Using a teaspoon, place dollops of glaze around the top edges of the cooled cake, allowing some to drip down. Place a few whole two-bite cinnamon rolls on top if desired.

Notes

* I just did both cake pans at the same time but it was easier to describe one at a time. If it's easier, divide the cake batter in half, before dividing it in half again for each pan. A scale helps with this.

** See blog post for details on how to modify the recipe if you want to skip the cinnamon roll layer.

Nutrition

Liv for Cake - https://ai-deterrant.org/cinnamon-roll-cake/%3C/em%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cscript%3Ewindow.wprm_recipes = {"recipe-17573":{"type":"food","name":"Cinnamon Roll Cake","slug":"wprm-cinnamon-roll-cake","image_url":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/cinnamon-roll-cake-thumb1.jpg","rating":{"count":8,"total":36,"average":4.5,"type":{"comment":8,"no_comment":0,"user":0},"user":0},"ingredients":[{"uid":1,"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","name":"all-purpose flour","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"187 \u00bd","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":556,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"187 \u00bd","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":3,"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","name":"baking powder","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":557,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":5,"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","name":"salt","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"2 \u00bd","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":559,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"2 \u00bd","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":7,"amount":"1\/2","unit":"cup","name":"unsalted butter","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"113 \u00bd","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":555,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"cup","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"113 \u00bd","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":9,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"granulated sugar","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"200","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":603,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"200","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":11,"amount":"2","unit":"large","name":"eggs","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"2","unit":"large","unit_id":8090}},"unit_id":8090,"id":584,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2","unit":"large","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2","unit":"large","unitParsed":"large","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"2","unit":"large","unitParsed":"large","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":13,"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","name":"vanilla extract","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"5","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":564,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"5","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":15,"amount":"2\/3","unit":"cup","name":"milk","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"162 \u2154","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":675,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2\/3","unit":"cup","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2\/3","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"162 \u2154","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":17,"amount":"4","unit":"Tbsp","name":"light brown sugar","notes":"packed","converted":{"2":{"amount":"59 \u2150","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8087,"id":590,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"4","unit":"Tbsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"4","unit":"Tbsp","unitParsed":"Tbsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"59 \u2150","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":19,"amount":"1","unit":"Tbsp","name":"ground cinnamon","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"14 \u2158","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8087,"id":560,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"Tbsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"Tbsp","unitParsed":"Tbsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"14 \u2158","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":22,"amount":"1\/3","unit":"recipe","name":"Cinnamon Rolls","notes":"or store bought, baked in a 6" round pan","converted":{"2":{"amount":"1\/3","unit":"recipe","unit_id":8108}},"unit_id":8108,"id":6950,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/3","unit":"recipe","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/3","unit":"recipe","unitParsed":"recipe","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"1\/3","unit":"recipe","unitParsed":"recipe","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":27,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"unsalted butter","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":555,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":29,"amount":"4","unit":"cups","name":"powdered sugar","notes":"sifted","converted":{"2":{"amount":"480","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":639,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"4","unit":"cups","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"4","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"480","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":31,"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","name":"vanilla extract","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"9 6\/7","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":564,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"9 6\/7","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":25,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"cream cheese","notes":"8 oz, block, full fat, chilled, cubed","converted":{"2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":570,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":33,"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","name":"salt","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":559,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":46,"amount":"","unit":"","name":"cornstarch or meringue powder","notes":"optional","converted":{"2":{"amount":"","unit":""}},"id":8106,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"","unit":"","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"","unit":"","unitParsed":""}}},{"uid":36,"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","name":"powdered sugar","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"180","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":639,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"180","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":38,"amount":"2","unit":"Tbsp","name":"milk","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"29 4\/7","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8087,"id":675,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2","unit":"Tbsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2","unit":"Tbsp","unitParsed":"Tbsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"29 4\/7","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":40,"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","name":"ground cinnamon","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":560,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":43,"amount":"","unit":"","name":"two-bite cinnamon rolls","notes":"optional, trim tops off each roll","converted":{"2":{"amount":"","unit":""}},"id":6951,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"","unit":"","timestamp":1790027431000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"","unit":"","unitParsed":""}}}],"originalServings":"12","originalServingsParsed":12,"currentServings":"12","currentServingsParsed":12,"currentServingsFormatted":"12","currentServingsMultiplier":1,"originalSystem":1,"currentSystem":1,"favorite":false,"unitSystems":[1,2],"originalAdvancedServings":{"shape":"round","unit":"inch","diameter":0,"width":0,"length":0,"height":0},"currentAdvancedServings":{"shape":"round","unit":"inch","diameter":0,"width":0,"length":0,"height":0},"collection":{"servingsUnit":"","servingsUnitRaw":"","originalServings":"12","originalServingsParsed":12,"type":"recipe","recipeId":17573,"name":"Cinnamon Roll Cake","image":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/cinnamon-roll-cake-thumb1-300x300.jpg","servings":12,"parent_id":"17572","parent_url":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/cinnamon-roll-cake\/","cachedAt":1790027431,"modifiedAt":1649944355}}}