Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe

Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe Dreamiest Celebration Cake

Sweet memories swirl around this decadent cinnamon roll layer cake that promises pure comfort.

Layers of soft, pillowy cake capture the essence of classic morning pastries.

Delicate swirls of rich cream cheese frosting weave through each tender slice.

Warm spices dance between delicate cake layers, creating a nostalgic experience that feels like home.

Bakers who love indulgent desserts will find this recipe irresistibly tempting.

Imagine cutting into a cake that combines the best elements of a classic cinnamon roll with elegant layer cake sophistication.

Come discover a dessert that turns an ordinary afternoon into something magical.

Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake That Steals the Show

  • Transforms classic cinnamon roll flavors into an elegant layer cake, perfect for impressing guests without complex techniques.
  • Takes just 45 minutes from start to finish, making it an accessible dessert for home bakers of all skill levels.
  • Delivers nostalgic cinnamon roll taste in a shareable cake format that appeals to kids and adults alike, ideal for birthdays or weekend gatherings.
  • Combines simplicity of ingredients with sophisticated presentation, creating a memorable sweet treat that works for casual and special occasions.

What You’ll Need for Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Cake Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for the cake, with cake flour adding extra tenderness.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, signature cinnamon roll flavor to the cake.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and rich flavor, softened butter helps with smooth mixing.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic bakery flavor.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter, whole milk recommended for richness.

How to Bake a Layered Cinnamon Roll Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and prepare three 8-inch cake pans by greasing them thoroughly or lining with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create The Dry Base

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

Step 3: Whip Up The Creamy Foundation

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter, vegetable oil, and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, airy, and beautifully fluffy.

Step 4: Introduce Eggs And Flavor

Gently fold in eggs one at a time, then splash in vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and well incorporated.

Step 5: Merge Wet And Dry Worlds

Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with dry ingredients, mixing just until everything combines smoothly.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Tips for Frosting and Layering with Ease

  • Precise Pan Preparation: Line cake pans with parchment paper for effortless cake removal and perfect layer release without sticking.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature to create a smoother, more even cake batter with better mixing consistency.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough cake texture; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.
  • Cinnamon Intensity Boost: Enhance the cinnamon flavor by toasting ground cinnamon briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the dry ingredients for a deeper, richer taste.
  • Cool Completely Trick: Allow cake layers to cool entirely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a stable, professional-looking cake assembly.

Storage Tips for Cinnamon Roll Cakes

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap each layer separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
  • Carefully wrap cake layers in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best results, let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying to restore its soft texture.
  • Keep the cake away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Place a piece of bread near the cake to help retain moisture and prevent staleness.

Serve With These Sides for a Full Experience

  • The aromatic chai perfectly complements the cake's cinnamon notes, creating a harmonious blend of warming spices that dance on your palate.
  • The cool, smooth vanilla provides a delightful contrast to the warm cake, balancing the rich cinnamon and adding a luxurious texture.
  • A decadent swirl of salted caramel enhances the cake's sweetness, adding depth and a subtle buttery complexity to each bite.
  • A late-harvest Riesling or Moscato brings a gentle sweetness that echoes the cake's cinnamon roll inspiration, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.

Flavor Options for Cinnamon Roll Cakes

  • Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for proper texture and binding.
  • Dairy-Free Friendly Version: Swap milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for frosting.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's sweet cinnamon profile.
  • Vegan Transformation: Use flax eggs as a replacement for regular eggs, select plant-based milk, coconut oil, and dairy-free cream cheese to create a completely animal-product-free cake.
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Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe

Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent cinnamon roll layer cake merges classic breakfast comfort with elegant dessert artistry. Delicate layers swirl with warm spices and cream cheese frosting, promising a delightful experience you’ll savor with each memorable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk or buttermilk
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling and Swirl:

  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter (melted)

Frosting:

  • 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 23 tablespoons milk (for desired consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly coat three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour, or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well integrated.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter, oil, and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume, which typically takes 2-3 minutes of consistent beating.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring each egg is fully blended before adding the next. Introduce vanilla extract and mix until smooth and uniform.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Begin and conclude with dry ingredients, stirring gently to maintain a smooth, lump-free batter without overmixing.
  6. Distribute the batter equally among the prepared cake pans, using a spatula to ensure even spreading and elimination of air pockets.
  7. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean with no raw batter attached.
  8. Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to rest in the pans for 10 minutes, which helps them set and makes removal easier. Carefully transfer the layers to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature completely before further assembly.

Notes

  • Adjust oven temperature for different pan sizes to ensure even baking and prevent burning.
  • Soften butter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to achieve a smooth, creamy texture when mixing.
  • Use room temperature eggs to help them incorporate more evenly and create a more uniform cake batter.
  • For a more intense cinnamon flavor, toast ground cinnamon in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes before adding to the dry ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 482
  • Sugar: 56 g
  • Sodium: 204 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 98 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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