Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe with Cake Mix
If you love cinnamon rolls and want to try something a little different, this Cinnamon Roll Cake is just the ticket. It has all the cinnamon roll goodness—the sweet glaze and rich cinnamon filling—in a light, fluffy cake. This post contains affiliate links.
This easy recipe goes well with the other cinnamon roll-inspired desserts on the blog. Serve it as a breakfast cake or a sweet treat with coffee. It’s extra great around the holiday season when guests are over.
Get ready for the rich taste of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a boxed cake mix. You’ll get the warm cinnamon flavor and sweet glaze without the fuss of homemade dough.
Tasty Cinnamon Roll Flavor in Cake Form
I have many childhood memories of my Gram making Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. She would also take me to Cinnabon in the mall, where the smell of cinnamon and that cream cheese frosting would lure me in instantly. That’s one of the many reasons why I love experimenting with cinnamon roll flavors in different treats.
If you’re craving cake and want a single serving, give this cinnamon roll mug cake a try.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Just a few ingredients
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, milk, and eggs.
Mix until well combined, then spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan.
Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar until well mixed.
Drop spoonfuls of this cinnamon mixture onto the cake batter. Use a butter knife to swirl the filling into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Check the cake by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean. (In my oven, it took about 33 minutes.)
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the cake is baking, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth.
Step 5: Glaze and Serve
Once the cake is out of the oven and still warm, pour the cream cheese glaze over the top. Serve the cake warm and enjoy the delicious cinnamon roll flavor in cake form.
Similar Recipes
If you love cinnamon roll flavors, there are plenty of other recipes to try on the blog. Check out the Cinnamon Roll French Toast for a breakfast sweet, Cinnamon Roll Cookies for a swirly chewy fun, and Cinnamon Roll Muffins for an easy grab-and-go option.
There are many more! Please let us know if you want to see your favorite dessert cinnamon roll’d.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations:
- Use a yellow cake mix: Swap the white cake mix for a yellow one for a slightly different flavor.
- Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon filling for extra crunch.
- Try light brown sugar: Substitute dark brown sugar with light brown sugar in the filling for a milder taste.
- Make it a giant cinnamon roll: Use a bundt pan instead of a 9×13 pan to create a giant cinnamon roll cake. Adjust baking time accordingly.
Tools you’ll need
Here are some kitchen tools you need for this recipe.
Storage
To keep the cake fresh, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sweet glaze may harden a bit in the fridge, but you can warm up a slice before serving to bring back the soft texture.
Tips & Tricks
- Mix eggs first: Blend eggs separately for even mixing.
- Check early: Test cake a few minutes before time ends.
- Soften cream cheese: Use room temp for a smooth glaze.
- Gentle swirls: Don’t over-swirl the cinnamon filling.
- Cool before storing: Prevent sticky glaze by cooling first.
Recipe Notes & FAQ:
- Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, you can use a yellow or even a spice cake mix for a twist on the flavor. - Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake it a day ahead. Just store it in an airtight container and glaze it right before serving. - What if I don’t have cream cheese?
You can make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk as a substitute.
Additional Notes:
- Adjusting sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of sugar in the cinnamon filling or glaze.
- Serving tip: This cake is extra scrumptious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
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Ingredients
Cake Base
- 15.25 oz White Cake Mix
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 egg
Filling
- ¼ cup butter unsalted, melted
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
Glaze
- 2 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 4 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
For Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine white cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, milk, and eggs. Mix until well combined.15.25 oz White Cake Mix, ½ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup milk, 3 egg
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
For Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir until well mixed.¼ cup butter, ½ tbsp cinnamon, ½ cup brown sugar
- Drop dollops of cinnamon filling into cake batter.
- Use a butter knife to swirl filling into batter.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into center comes out clean (about 33 minutes in my oven).
For Glaze:
- Whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.2 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 4 tbsp milk, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pour glaze over warm cake and serve.
Notes
- Mix eggs separately for even distribution.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Our Favorite
Cinnamon Roll Breakfasts
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