Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Picture this: the warm, sweet scent of cinnamon and sugar filling your kitchen, wrapping around you like a cozy blanket. The golden, caramelized edges of soft biscuit spirals peek out from the pan, promising luscious layers of buttery goodness with every bite. This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is like a hug on a plate, perfect for mornings when you want something quick, easy, and absolutely indulgent. Imagine serving up a dessert or breakfast that looks impressive but requires barely any fuss – that’s exactly what you’re about to discover.

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

• Ready in 30 minutes: Creates a warm, bakery-worthy treat in under half an hour – no yeast or hours of waiting required.
• Uses simple ingredients: Pantry staples like biscuits, cinnamon, and sugar transform into a show-stopping cake.
• Perfect for beginners: No advanced baking skills needed, just a rolling pin, a little butter, and some love.
• Impressive presentation: The spiral arrangement looks stunning on the table, making it a crowd-pleaser for guests.
• Customizable: Easy to tweak with your favorite nuts, fruits, or glaze variations for endless creativity.

Why This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe Works

This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe works beautifully because of its clever use of store-bought biscuits as the base – they’re soft yet sturdy enough to hold the swirls in place without any fuss. Coating each biscuit in melted butter and cinnamon sugar ensures every bite is packed with that iconic cinnamon roll flavor and a delightful caramelized texture once baked. The cream cheese glaze adds a luscious, tangy sweetness that perfectly balances the richness of the cinnamon-sugar layers, creating a harmonious flavor explosion that keeps you coming back for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, which means your ingredient list is not only short but also easy to source. Each ingredient plays an essential role in creating that classic cinnamon roll experience, without complicated steps or obscure items.

• Buttermilk biscuits: The foundation that creates soft, flaky spirals, making this cake quick and easy.
• Unsalted butter: Melts into the biscuits for richness and helps the cinnamon sugar stick perfectly.
• Granulated sugar and cinnamon: The magical duo that turns each biscuit into a cozy cinnamon roll swirl.
• Cream cheese: Softened to smooth perfection for the tangy glaze.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze into a luscious drizzle.
• Milk: Adds just the right amount of creaminess to the glaze; whole milk recommended for richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the glaze with warm, aromatic depth.
• Salt: A tiny pinch to balance and elevate all the flavors beautifully.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

• Buttermilk biscuits: If unavailable, use flaky canned biscuits or try homemade biscuit dough for a fresher touch.
• Unsalted butter: Salted butter works in a pinch, reduce added salt slightly in the glaze.
• Cream cheese: Use Neufchâtel cheese or mascarpone for a milder flavor but maintain creamy texture.
• Milk: Any milk variety works including almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option, though whole milk gives best flavor.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Choose a pie pan, cake pan, or even a cast-iron skillet and give it a good greasing with cooking spray or butter. This ensures the cinnamon roll cake will release beautifully once baked and keeps the bottom from sticking.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a silicone spatula to spread the cooking spray evenly for a smooth surface.

Step 2: Flatten the Biscuits

Remove each biscuit from its packaging and gently flatten it using a rolling pin or your hands until it’s about ¼ inch thick. This creates a perfect canvas for rolling and layering the cinnamon sugar filling.

💡 Pro Tip: If your dough feels too sticky, dust your hands or the rolling surface lightly with flour to keep it manageable.

Step 3: Coat Biscuits in Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Dip each flattened biscuit into the melted butter, then shake off the extra. Next, coat it evenly in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon, shaking again to remove any clumps. This double coating layers every bite with rich sweetness and spice.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra indulgence, brush additional melted butter on top of the coated biscuits before rolling.

Step 4: Roll and Arrange in Spiral

Roll each coated biscuit tightly into a cylinder. Now, lay them side by side in a spiral pattern inside your prepared pan, starting from the outer edges and working your way to the center. This spiral is what makes this cake stunning to behold and so irresistible to slice into.

💡 Pro Tip: Press the rolls gently against each other to avoid gaps, ensuring a cohesive pull-apart texture.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on your pan size. Keep an eye on the edges; if they begin to brown quicker than the center, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning while allowing the cake to cook through.

💡 Pro Tip: To test doneness, insert a toothpick in the middle — it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze

While the cake is baking, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating the glaze until it’s light, fluffy, and ready for dolloping.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for an effortlessly creamy texture.

Step 7: Glaze and Serve Warm

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 5 to 7 minutes to avoid melting the glaze completely. Spoon the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm cinnamon roll spirals, letting it drip into every nook and cranny. Once slightly cooled, add more glaze if you like it extra creamy. Slice and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

💡 Pro Tip: Best enjoyed fresh while still warm and gooey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls:

• Using cold butter or cream cheese: Results in a lumpy glaze that won’t spread smoothly.
• Overbaking the cake: Leads to dry edges and less tender spirals.
• Not flattening biscuits enough: Can cause thick rolls that don’t cook evenly.
• Skipping the cinnamon sugar coating: Causes bland layers with no signature cinnamon roll flavor.
• Not allowing cake to cool slightly before glazing: The glaze may melt off and become too runny.
• Using too large a pan: Can make the cake thin and cause the rolls to spread out too much, losing shape.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic version of this Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe, you can have a blast customizing it to suit your cravings and impress your friends with unique twists.

Pecan Praline Twist

Sprinkle chopped pecans and a drizzle of caramel sauce between the biscuit layers before rolling. The crunch and caramel balance beautifully with cinnamon.

Apple Cinnamon Delight

Add thinly sliced apples dusted with cinnamon and a little brown sugar inside each biscuit before rolling for a fruity surprise.

Chocolate Swirl

Spread a thin layer of chocolate hazelnut spread on flattened biscuits before sprinkling cinnamon sugar and rolling up for a decadent mocha flavor.

Maple Glaze

Replace the vanilla in your glaze with maple extract and add a handful of toasted walnuts for that perfect autumn vibe.

Orange Zest Citrus

Mix a teaspoon of fresh orange zest into the cinnamon sugar coating and swap vanilla for almond extract in the glaze for a citrusy twist.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

Garnishes

Freshly chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a light dusting of powdered sugar add the perfect finishing touches.

Side Dishes

A steaming cup of coffee or chai tea complements the sweet and spicy notes beautifully. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream can make the experience even more luxurious.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the cake warm right from the pan for a rustic charm, or gently place it on a decorative cake stand and glaze it tableside for a wow factor. Cut into pull-apart wedges to encourage sharing and smiles around the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cinnamon roll cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for 4-5 days to maintain freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place in a low oven (300°F) for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Adding a small pat of butter before reheating keeps the cake moist and rich.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cinnamon rolls instead of biscuits?

Using cinnamon rolls will create a different texture and require longer baking times. This recipe is designed for biscuits for a quicker, lighter cake.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

The recipe uses butter, cream cheese, and milk, but you can substitute dairy-free versions to make it suitable for dairy-free diets.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Use vegan biscuits, plant-based butter, dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, and non-dairy milk to make a vegan version.

How do I prevent the cinnamon sugar from burning?

Shake off excess cinnamon sugar before baking and tent the cake with foil if the edges brown too quickly.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Use gluten-free biscuit dough available at specialty stores or make your own. Baking time may vary slightly.

What pan size is best?

An 8 or 9-inch round pan or a similarly sized pie dish works well for this sweet spiral cake.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the cake?

Absolutely! Adding nuts or raisins inside the rolls before baking gives extra texture and flavor.

How long is this cake good after baking?

Best enjoyed fresh, but it keeps well up to 3 days refrigerated, though some freshness and softness may diminish over time.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is truly a game-changer when you want that cozy cinnamon roll flavor without the fuss of traditional dough. It’s quick, comforting, and impressively delicious – a perfect way to brighten up any day or special occasion with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Have you tried this Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 🍰

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