Cinna Bun Cake Recipe

If you love the comforting aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls but want something quicker, this cinna bun cake recipe is the perfect shortcut. Imagine a moist, buttery cake swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a creamy glaze it’s like a cinnamon roll in cake form.

This recipe gives you all the flavors of a classic cinnamon bun without the time-consuming yeast dough or multiple rises. It’s ideal for lazy weekend mornings, brunch gatherings, or even as a sweet dessert to serve warm with coffee or milk.

Whether you call it a cinnamon roll cake, cinnamon swirl cake, or cinna bun cake, one thing’s certain it’s irresistibly delicious.

Cinna Bun Cake Recipe | Soft, Gooey & Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake

Recipe by Emma Cooper

Servings

9-12

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

370

kcal

Ingredients

For the Cake:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1½ cups milk
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) melted butter
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 tbsp cinnamon
⅓ cup melted butter
For the Glaze:
1½ cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Mix the cake batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth. Pour batter into the baking dish.
Make the swirl: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture over the cake batter.
Create the swirl effect: Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter, creating a marbled look.
Bake: Place the cake in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Glaze it: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the warm cake.
Serve & enjoy: Slice and serve warm. Perfect with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: ~370 kcal
Protein: 5g
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 35g

Why You’ll Love This Cinna Bun Cake

This isn’t your average cake it’s like a cinnamon bun bread recipe baked into a soft, gooey loaf that melts in your mouth. The brown sugar and cinnamon swirl caramelizes into sweet ribbons that give the cake its signature “sticky bun” texture.

Easy: No yeast, no waiting for dough to rise.
Quick: Ready in under an hour.
Versatile: Serve as breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Customizable: Add nuts, raisins, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.

If you’re into cozy, home-style desserts, you’ll also love our Butterscotch Pound Cake Recipe, which shares that same warm, buttery sweetness.

Variations of the Cinna Bun Cake Recipe

If you’d like to experiment, here are a few creative ways to upgrade your classic cinnamon bun cake recipe:

🍫 Chocolate Cinna Bun Cake

Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate cinnamon swirl cake. The chocolate melts into the cinnamon layers, creating a decadent treat.

🍎 Apple Cinna Bun Cake

Fold in 1 cup diced apples into the batter. The fruit adds moisture and a subtle tart contrast to the sweet glaze.

🥜 Pecan Cinna Bun Cake

Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon swirl mixture for a crunchy twist—like a cinnamon pecan roll in cake form.

🧁 Cinna Bun Cupcakes

Pour batter into cupcake liners and reduce baking time to 18–20 minutes for individual portions—great for parties or lunchboxes.

Baking Tips for the Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cake

Don’t overmix the batter: Stir until ingredients are just combined to avoid a dense cake.
Use room-temperature ingredients: They blend better and rise evenly.
Add a second layer of glaze: For extra sweetness, pour half the glaze right after baking, and drizzle the rest once cooled.
Warm before serving: A quick 15-second microwave reheat makes leftover slices taste freshly baked.

Make It Healthier (Optional Swaps)

Want to make your cinna bun cake recipe a bit lighter without losing flavor? Try these swaps:

Use Greek yogurt instead of some butter for added protein.
Replace half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
Swap sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup.
Use almond milk instead of regular milk.

If you’re following a higher-protein diet, our High Protein Pureed Food Recipe s guide has more nutritious swaps and meal ideas.

Serving Suggestions

For breakfast: Serve with scrambled eggs and coffee for a sweet start to your day.
For dessert: Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
For gatherings: Cut into small squares and serve as finger food at brunch or potlucks.

The buttery cinnamon aroma makes this cake a hit for holidays like Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or any cozy Sunday.

Storage & Freezing Tips

Store: Keep covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5.
Freeze: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Bake a day ahead, store covered, and reheat slightly before serving.

2. Can I use cake mix instead of making it from scratch?
Absolutely. Use a yellow or vanilla cake mix as the base and follow the same swirl and glaze steps.

3. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double all ingredients and bake in a large 13×18-inch pan. Adjust baking time slightly if needed.

Final Thoughts

This cinna bun cake recipe brings the best of both worlds fluffy cake texture and gooey cinnamon roll flavor without the extra work. It’s the best cinnamon roll cake recipe for busy mornings, dessert cravings, or impressing guests with minimal effort.

If you love classic comfort desserts, also check out our Banana Bread Recipe it’s another simple, homemade treat you’ll want to bake over and over.