Indulgent Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe

Heavenly Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe: Bake Joy Today!

Baking brings magic to life, especially when you craft a decadent cinnamon roll layer cake that melts hearts instantly.

Sweet aromas of warm spices and buttery goodness will dance through your kitchen.

This extraordinary dessert combines the beloved comfort of classic cinnamon rolls with elegant cake layers.

Soft, pillowy textures and rich cream cheese frosting create a symphony of flavors that comfort and delight.

Creamy, dreamy, and utterly irresistible, this cake transforms an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration.

Each slice promises a delightful journey of nostalgia and pure culinary bliss.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this heavenly creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 12

Cinnamon Roll Cake Ingredient Rundown

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cake, providing structure and texture with a silky, smooth feel.
  • Baking Powder: Createsal rising action, ensuring your cake layers are light and airy.
  • Salt: Enhances all flavor profiles, balancing sweetness and adding depth.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Infuses warm, comforting spice that defines the cinnamon roll essence.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Delivers rich, luxurious flavor and helps create a tender crumb.
  • Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps keep the cake incredibly soft and supple.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, tender cake texture.
  • Large Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure with protein-rich goodness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings sophisticated, aromatic depth to the entire cake experience.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, velvety cake batter.
For Baking Tools:
  • Cake Pans: 8-inch round pans perfect for creating even, beautiful layers.
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cake release and prevents sticking.
  • Mixer: Essential for creating smooth, well-incorporated batter.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.

Equipment That Helps You Layer This Sweet Bake

  • Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs, and mixing batter smoothly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for dry and wet ingredients.
  • Large mixing bowls: One for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients.
  • Medium mixing bowl: For combining dry ingredients like flour and spices.
  • 8-inch round cake pans: Three pans needed for layering the cake.
  • Parchment paper or cooking spray: To prevent cake from sticking to pans.
  • Whisk: For blending dry ingredients evenly.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cake layers to cool completely and evenly.
  • Toothpick: For checking cake doneness.

Build a Cake That Tastes Like a Cinnamon Roll

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Prep your cake pans by giving them a light butter massage and dusting of flour to prevent any sticky situations.

  • Whip Together the Dry Mix

Grab a bowl and dance your whisk through flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until they’re perfectly blended and ready to party.

  • Create Butter Cloud

Beat softened butter, oil, and sugar until they transform into a fluffy dream cloud that looks light as air and feels silky smooth.

  • Invite Eggs to the Celebration

Gently introduce eggs one by one into your butter mixture, then splash in vanilla for an extra flavor punch that’ll make taste buds dance.

  • Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Stir until everything just comes together – no overmixing allowed!

  • Bake Your Dreamy Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Slide into the heated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Listen for the cake to whisper it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let layers cool completely before the next adventure.

Tips for Swirls That Stay Distinct and Tasty

  • Create bakery-style frosting by using a piping bag with a large star tip for smooth, professional-looking cream cheese frosting layers between cake rounds.
  • Enhance the cinnamon flavor by toasting ground cinnamon briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the batter, which deepens its warm, rich profile.
  • Prepare cake layers up to two days in advance and store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature to save time on special occasions.
  • Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to maintain the cake's tender texture and prevent crumbling.
  • Replace some sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's delightful sweetness and moist crumb.

Serve With a Cream Cheese Frosting Finish

  • Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair this cinnamon roll layer cake with a steaming mug of hot coffee or chai latte to enhance the warm, spicy flavor profile.
  • Sweet Brunch Centerpiece: Serve as a stunning dessert at weekend brunches, surrounded by fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
  • Celebration Slice: Perfect for birthdays or holiday gatherings, this cake creates a delightful centerpiece that impresses guests with its rich, comforting cinnamon essence and beautiful layered presentation.
  • Temperature Tip: Enjoy slightly warmed for maximum flavor intensity, allowing the cake's subtle cinnamon notes to become more pronounced and inviting.

Store for Later Without Losing Texture

  • Wrap cooled cake layers individually in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them flat to maintain shape and moisture.
  • Stack cake layers between parchment paper, seal in freezer-safe bags, and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before assembling.
  • Unfrosted cake layers stay fresh at room temperature for 24 hours when covered with a clean kitchen towel. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
  • Place a slice of bread next to stored cake to maintain softness and prevent drying out. Replace bread slice daily for best results.

FAQs

  • What makes the cinnamon roll layer cake different from regular cakes?

The cake incorporates classic cinnamon roll flavors with layers of rich, cinnamon-spiced cake that mimics the beloved breakfast pastry, creating a unique dessert experience that blends cake and cinnamon roll elements.

  • Can I make this cake without a mixer?

While a mixer helps create a smoother batter and incorporates air, you can use a whisk and wooden spoon. Just be sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly and mix the ingredients completely by hand, which might require a bit more arm strength.

  • Is this recipe difficult for beginner bakers?

This recipe is moderately easy. The steps are straightforward, and as long as you follow the instructions carefully, measure ingredients precisely, and have basic baking skills, most home bakers can successfully create this delightful cake.

  • How important is the cinnamon in this recipe?

Cinnamon is crucial to this cake, providing the signature flavor that makes it taste like a cinnamon roll. Using fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon will enhance the overall taste and aroma of the cake.

Print
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Indulgent Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe

Indulgent Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Scrumptious Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake delivers classic bakery flavors in an elevated dessert experience. Sweet layers of spiced cake and cream cheese frosting create a memorable celebration of comfort and indulgence you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 ½ tsps baking powder
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • 2 tsps cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter (melted)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 23 tbsps milk (for desired consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans with grease, flour, or parchment paper for seamless cake release.
  2. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until uniformly blended, creating a cohesive dry ingredient foundation.
  3. Butter Blend: Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter, oil, and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, voluminous texture with enhanced airiness.
  4. Egg Integration: Methodically incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract for a smooth, consistent emulsion.
  5. Batter Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk, maintaining a gentle technique to prevent overmixing and preserve batter’s silky consistency.
  6. Pan Distribution: Evenly disperse batter across prepared pans, using a spatula to eliminate potential air pockets and ensure uniform layer thickness.
  7. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before final assembly.

Notes

  • Ensure Even Baking: Rotate cake pans halfway through baking to guarantee uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven browning or undercooked sections.
  • Control Moisture Balance: Don’t overmix the batter, as this can develop gluten and create a dense, tough cake texture instead of a light, tender crumb.
  • Master Smooth Layering: Let cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting and sliding off, maintaining a clean, professional appearance.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or use plant-based butter and egg alternatives for vegan adaptation.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 367
  • Sugar: 41 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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