Description

Warm, buttery, and packed with swirls of cinnamon sugar, this Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake brings all the comforting, gooey flavors of a classic cinnamon roll—without all the rolling and waiting. Every bite is soft, fluffy, and drizzled with sweet glaze, making it the perfect crowd-pleasing dessert (or breakfast!) for family gatherings, holidays, or a cozy weekend treat.

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake Batter:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1½ cups milk
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
4–5 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins:

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
A pinch of nutmeg in the swirl for extra warmth

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Mix until well combined and smooth (don’t overmix).

Step 3: Pour the Batter

Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well combined.

Step 5: Swirl It In

Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter.
Use a knife or skewer to swirl it gently into the batter, creating beautiful ribbons.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool slightly before glazing.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cake.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake into squares and serve warm for the ultimate cinnamon roll experience.

Notes

Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Helps the batter mix smoothly.
Don’t Overmix – Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of fluffy.
Swirl Gently – You want ribbons of cinnamon, not a fully blended batter.
Glaze While Warm – It melts slightly into the cake for extra goodness.
Add Nuts – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for added texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cuisine: Southern-American