Cinnamon Roll Cake
Cinnamon Roll Cake is a delightful fusion of a classic cinnamon roll’s familiar flavors and the structure of a cake. This recipe brings a perfect blend of sweet cinnamon filling, soft dough, and creamy frosting that can be enjoyed anytime whether for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack. Crafted from simple ingredients, it’s an ideal homemade treat for those looking to enjoy a satisfying yet easy-to-make baked good. Every bite delivers warm, sugary comfort wrapped in a pillowy soft texture. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this cinnamon roll cake recipe is guaranteed to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon.
Ingredients Breakdown
The magic of this cinnamon roll cake recipe lies in its balance of textures and flavors. Let’s break it down:
For the Dough:
The dough serves as the foundation of the cinnamon roll cake, delivering that light, fluffy texture that’s essential for an indulgent experience. Made from all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, milk, butter, and yeast, it has just the right mix of ingredients to create a pillowy and tender base. The room-temperature egg adds richness and structure, while the yeast provides the essential rise, making the dough soft and airy.
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
The cinnamon sugar filling is the heart of this recipe. It’s the gooey, flavorful core that brings the warm, spicy sweetness we all love in cinnamon rolls. Butter binds the sugar and cinnamon together, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness, creating a filling that melts beautifully into the dough as it bakes. The combination of light brown sugar and ground cinnamon gives the cake its signature sweet and fragrant depth.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
This frosting elevates the cinnamon roll cake with a perfect blend of tangy cream cheese, sweet powdered sugar, and creamy butter. Vanilla extract adds a hint of warm flavor, while milk ensures the frosting reaches the desired smooth consistency. This luscious frosting is generously spread over the warm cake, seeping into the spirals and giving every bite a decadent finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cake
Mixing the Dough:
Start by combining flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. This step ensures the yeast is evenly distributed for a consistent rise. The milk and butter are gently heated, ensuring they are warm enough to activate the yeast without overheating and killing it. The dough comes together smoothly when mixed with an egg, creating a soft, supple texture. After beating the dough until smooth, you’ll gradually add flour until the dough begins to form a cohesive ball, ready for kneading.
Preparing the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
The filling is where the magic happens. Softened butter allows the sugar and cinnamon to adhere perfectly to the dough. When rolling out the dough, spreading the butter edge-to-edge ensures that every bite is infused with the buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture. Pressing the sugar mixture into the butter ensures it sticks during rolling and baking, creating those iconic cinnamon swirls.
Rolling and Shaping the Dough:
The dough is rolled out into a long rectangle, then carefully rolled into a tight log. The tighter the roll, the more defined the cinnamon spirals will be in your finished cake. Using floss or a sharp knife helps slice clean, even rolls without squashing the dough. Each slice reveals a perfect spiral, ready to rise and bake.
Baking to Perfection:
Once the rolls have risen and puffed up, they’re baked until golden brown, filling your kitchen with the irresistible smell of fresh cinnamon rolls. The goal is to bake them long enough to cook the dough thoroughly without over-browning the tops. Letting the rolls cool slightly before frosting ensures the frosting melts just enough to seep into the crevices, but not so much that it slides off completely.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe Tips:
- Working with Yeast: Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly. If the milk is too hot, it can kill the yeast, leading to flat dough.
- Kneading Techniques: Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. The dough should be stretchy but not sticky. Kneading helps develop the gluten, which gives the rolls their soft texture.
- How to Prevent Dough from Sticking: Flour your surface generously before rolling out the dough to prevent sticking. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle more flour gradually.
- Baking Evenly: Check the rolls around 25 minutes into baking. If the tops are browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking until fully cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Just bring it back to room temperature before rolling it out.
- Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast? Yes, but the dough will take longer to rise. Be sure to dissolve the active dry yeast in warm milk for about 5 minutes before mixing it into the dough.
- What if my dough doesn’t rise? Make sure your yeast is fresh, and that your rising environment is warm enough. If it’s too cold, the dough may not rise properly.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Cinnamon roll cake is a rich, indulgent treat that pairs beautifully with both beverages and light sides. A hot cup of coffee or tea is a classic pairing, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the rolls. If you prefer something cold, a glass of milk or a creamy hot chocolate can also complement the cake’s flavors.
For breakfast or brunch, you can serve the cinnamon roll cake alongside savory dishes to create a balanced spread. Try pairing it with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a light fruit salad for a more complete meal. These savory sides offset the cake’s sweetness while adding variety to your plate.
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Ingredients
For The Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1 packet 2 1/4 tsp. Instant Yeast (Rapid Rise)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups milk
For The Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For The Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir everything together until well mixed.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, warm the milk and butter together, heating them for around 30 seconds until the butter has mostly melted. Ensure the mixture is warm but not overly hot to avoid harming the yeast. If it feels too hot, allow it to cool slightly before proceeding. Pour the warmed milk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Crack the egg into the bowl and begin mixing. Using a stand mixer, start on a low speed and gradually increase the speed to high, beating the mixture for roughly 2 minutes until fully incorporated.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add another cup of flour, mixing until combined. Gradually incorporate the remaining flour, adding a little at a time, until the dough starts to come together, pulling away from the bowl and forming a soft ball.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead by hand for around 10 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic, with the ability to stretch without breaking, indicating the gluten has developed properly. Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir together thoroughly and set aside.
- After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle measuring roughly 18 x 12 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly across the entire surface of the dough, making sure to cover the edges. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the butter, pressing it gently to adhere.
- Starting from the long edge closest to you, tightly roll the dough away, creating a log. Pinch the seam to seal the roll. Using dental floss or a sharp knife, slice the dough into 12 even rolls. Place the rolls into a parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Cover loosely with a dish towel and allow the rolls to rise for another hour until they have puffed up and doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the rolls have risen, bake them for about 30 minutes or until the tops are golden and the centers are cooked through. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly in the pan.
- While the cinnamon rolls cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Start beating on low speed and gradually increase to high until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and smooth.
- Generously spread the frosting over the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy the gooey, sweet rolls fresh from the oven!