Well, butter my biscuit! If you've got a sweet tooth that just won't quit, you're in for a real treat with this Cinnamon Roll Cake. It's like someone took your favorite Sunday morning cinnamon roll and turned it into a cake big enough to feed the whole family - and then some! This ain't your fancy-pants, all-day-in-the-kitchen kinda recipe. Nope, it's the sort of thing you can whip up quicker than you can say "pass the butter". It's got all those warm, cozy flavors that'll make your kitchen smell like heaven on earth. And let me tell you, when that glaze hits the warm cake, it's like... well, it's like Christmas morning, Fourth of July, and your birthday all rolled into one. Whether you're servin' it up for breakfast (hey, no judgment here!) or as a dessert after supper, this cake's gonna have everyone coming back for seconds. So grab your mixer and let's get to bakin' - your taste buds are about to throw a hoedown!
Cinnamon Roll Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll in an easy-to-make cake form. Below are the detailed ingredients needed to create this delicious treat.
INGREDIENTS
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups. Forms the base of the cake, giving it structure and lightness.
- Milk: 1 ½ cups. Adds moisture to the cake, ensuring it stays soft and tender.
- White Sugar: 1 cup. Sweetens the cake batter.
- Eggs: 2. Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- Baking Powder: 4 teaspoons. Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons. Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the cake.
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon. Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Butter (Melted): ¼ cup. Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan to prepare it for the cake batter.
- Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups of milk, 1 cup of white sugar, 2 eggs, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix until well-combined and smooth. Stir in ¼ cup of melted butter until fully incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl Topping
- In a separate bowl, beat together 1 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until smooth. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture over the batter in the baking pan. Use a knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Step 4: Bake the Cake
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out nearly clean.
- Step 5: Prepare the Glaze
- While the cake is baking, mix 2 cups of confectioners' sugar, 5 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
- Step 6: Add the Glaze
- Once the cake is done, drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve the Cinnamon Roll Cake warm to enjoy its gooey texture and rich flavors at their best.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk, making it a perfect choice for breakfast or dessert.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep the cake moist, cover it with plastic wrap or foil.
- For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze them. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave before serving.
Helpful Notes
- For a slightly different flavor, you can substitute the brown sugar in the topping with an equal amount of maple syrup.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the amount of milk to 3-4 tablespoons.
- Using a serrated knife to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter can help create more distinct layers and patterns.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Ina Garten: "Always use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Freshly ground cinnamon can make a big difference."
- Chef Gordon Ramsay: "Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake dense and tough."
- Chef Bobby Flay: "Let the cake cool slightly before adding the glaze. This helps the glaze set better and prevents it from soaking into the cake too quickly."