This cinnamon roll cake brings all the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls into a simple, sliceable sheet cake. Baked in a single pan and finished with a rich vanilla glaze and crunchy pecans, it’s warm, comforting, and perfect for sharing.
Instead of rolling dough, this recipe layers a soft vanilla cake with a buttery cinnamon swirl, then finishes with a pour-over glaze that melts into every crack and swirl. It’s ideal for breakfast, brunch, potlucks, or dessert.
Ingredients (9×13-inch Pan)
Cake Batter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Topping (Optional but Shown)
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4–5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How It’s Made
The base starts with a tender vanilla cake batter spread evenly into a greased baking pan. A rich cinnamon mixture—made with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon—is dropped over the batter and gently swirled through, creating the signature marbled look.
As the cake bakes, the cinnamon swirl sinks slightly, forming gooey pockets throughout. Once out of the oven, a smooth vanilla glaze is poured generously over the warm cake, allowing it to seep into every layer. Chopped pecans add texture and a subtle nutty contrast.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture over the batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if using.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the swirl) comes out clean.
- Whisk glaze ingredients and pour over warm cake.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm or at room temperature
- Perfect with coffee or tea
- Stores well covered for up to 3 days
Final Thoughts
This cinnamon roll cake delivers all the comfort of homemade cinnamon rolls with a fraction of the effort. Moist, sweet, and generously glazed, it’s the kind of recipe that disappears quickly and gets requested often.
