The Ultimate Better Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: An Easier & Lighter Recipe

Welcome to the improved version of a beloved classic! This recipe for Better Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting takes everything you adore about the traditional cinnamon roll cake and elevates it, making it simpler, quicker, and delightfully lighter without compromising on flavor. Get ready to bake a stunning dessert that will impress everyone, all with minimal effort!

Why This Improved Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is a Game-Changer

Our original cinnamon roll cake was a fan favorite, made and cherished by countless home bakers. However, we listened to your valuable feedback – some found it a bit too rich, others encountered challenges with the original method, and many expressed a desire for a lighter alternative with less butter. Taking all your comments to heart, I’ve dedicated time to perfecting this recipe, and the result is nothing short of spectacular: a significantly lighter, incredibly easy-to-make, and even more visually appealing cinnamon roll cake.

This “better” version delivers on all fronts. We’ve managed to significantly reduce the butter content, streamline the preparation process, and enhance the cake’s overall texture and moistness. It’s a celebration of flavor and simplicity, ensuring that everyone, from novice bakers to seasoned pros, can achieve bakery-quality results right in their own kitchen. This cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a testament to innovation in baking, proving that some classics can indeed be improved upon.

The Magic of Our Swirled Cinnamon Cake

Imagine a giant, fluffy cinnamon roll, baked to golden perfection, then generously slathered with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. That’s precisely what this cake offers! As it bakes, the sweet cinnamon filling works its magic, creating beautiful, deep crevices and swirls across the cake’s surface. These captivating patterns aren’t just for show; they ensure every bite is bursting with that warm, spiced cinnamon flavor we all crave, truly making it look as incredible as it tastes. The aroma alone will fill your kitchen with an inviting warmth that promises pure comfort and joy.

Effortless Preparation for a Heavenly Dessert

One of the standout features of this enhanced recipe is its incredible speed and simplicity. You’ll spend only about 15 minutes on prep and just 30 minutes baking, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight treat or a last-minute gathering. Gone are the days of laboriously whipping and delicately spreading the cinnamon filling. This improved method calls for a simple drizzle, creating beautiful, effortless swirls that bake into the cake perfectly. It’s so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever baked it any other way!

But the ease doesn’t stop there. This version is also considerably lighter. We’ve cut the butter in the cake base down to just ¼ cup, opting instead for vegetable oil and buttermilk. This clever substitution is the secret to a cake that is exceptionally fluffy, moist, and tender – a base so versatile and delicious, you’ll want to use it for many other recipes. The filling itself is a breeze to make; just whisk a few ingredients together in a small bowl, drizzle half over the batter before baking, and save the rest for an extra layer of flavor after the cake emerges from the oven. Finally, a decadent cream cheese frosting is spread over the still-warm cake, melting slightly into those irresistible cinnamon crevices, creating the perfect finishing touch that truly elevates this dessert.

Better Cinnamon Roll Cake

Author: Anna

Better Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – my improved version of the cinnamon roll cake! It can’t be easier than this!
Recipe source: CrunchyCreamySweet.com

4.75 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients

for the cake:

• 1 and ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 and ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

for the filling:

• ¼ cup butter melted
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

for the glaze:

• 3 oz cream cheese softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
• 2 Tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Generously grease and flour a 9-inch deep dish pie pan or a 9-inch round cake pan. Set aside.

To make the cake:

3. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, granulated sugar, baking powder, and baking soda until well combined.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the large egg, buttermilk, pure vanilla extract (or almond extract), and vegetable oil until smooth and emulsified.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Whisk vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds, ensuring the batter is smooth with no lumps. Avoid overmixing. Spread the prepared batter evenly into your greased and floured pan. Set aside.

To make the filling:

6. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, all-purpose flour, and pure vanilla extract until a smooth, thick mixture forms.
7. Using a small spoon or a piping bag, generously drizzle about half of the cinnamon filling over the cake batter in a circular motion, starting from the outside and working your way in. Reserve the remaining half of the filling mixture for later.
8. Bake the cake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and carefully place it on a wooden cutting board or wire rack. Immediately drizzle the remaining cinnamon filling over the warm cake, focusing on the beautiful crevices that formed during baking.
10. Allow the cake to cool slightly while you prepare the irresistible cream cheese glaze.

To make the glaze/frosting:

11. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, milk, and pure vanilla extract (or almond extract). Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, whisking until the frosting reaches a thick, yet drizzling consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
12. Using the back of a spoon or an offset spatula, gently spread the prepared glaze over the still-warm cake in a circular motion, allowing it to melt slightly and seep into the cinnamon swirls.
13. Let the cake cool completely to room temperature for the glaze to set.
14. Slice and serve this delicious Better Cinnamon Roll Cake and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 66mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Tips for the Perfect Better Cinnamon Roll Cake

Achieving bakery-level perfection with this cinnamon roll cake is easier than you think, especially with a few handy tips. Firstly, ensure all your cold ingredients, such as buttermilk and egg, are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more consistent and tender crumb. When mixing the dry and wet ingredients for the cake, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a tough cake rather than the desired fluffy texture.

For the cinnamon swirl, don’t be shy with the drizzle! The circular motion helps create those beautiful, deep pockets of cinnamon goodness. If you find your filling a bit stiff, gently warm the melted butter again before mixing to ensure it’s pourable. After baking, drizzling the reserved filling over the warm cake is a crucial step; the heat helps it seep into the cake, intensifying the cinnamon flavor and moistness.

Lastly, when preparing the cream cheese frosting, make sure your cream cheese is well softened. This prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, spreadable glaze. If your powdered sugar has lumps, sift it before adding it to the cream cheese mixture for an even silkier texture. Adjust the milk gradually to achieve that perfect thick yet drizzly consistency. These small details can make a significant difference in the final product, ensuring your cinnamon roll cake is nothing short of divine.

Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations

This Better Cinnamon Roll Cake is undeniably delicious on its own, but there are several ways to elevate your serving experience or customize the recipe to your taste. For a delightful breakfast or brunch treat, serve slices of the warm cake alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. It also makes for an exquisite dessert after any meal, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that will slowly melt into the warm cake and frosting, creating an indulgent experience.

Feeling creative? Consider adding a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for an extra layer of crunch and nutty flavor. For a touch of citrus, you could add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the cake batter or the cream cheese frosting. If you’re a fan of a richer, darker cinnamon flavor, try using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar in the filling. Another fun variation is to sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the top of the frosting just before serving; the hint of salt perfectly balances the sweetness. Whether enjoyed plain or with these enhancements, this cinnamon roll cake is destined to become a staple in your recipe collection, offering endless possibilities for enjoyment.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe

We’re confident that this Better Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting will become your new go-to recipe. It perfectly balances the irresistible flavor of classic cinnamon rolls with the convenience of a cake, all while being lighter and easier to prepare. The fluffy, moist cake base, the generous swirls of sweet cinnamon filling, and the luxurious, tangy cream cheese frosting come together to create a dessert that is truly unforgettable. Say goodbye to complicated baking and hello to effortless indulgence. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to delight your taste buds with this remarkable and improved cinnamon roll cake. Happy baking!