When I’m craving the flavor of cinnamon rolls but can’t be bothered to wait for the yeast to do its thing, I make this cinnamon roll cake with cake mix. It doesn’t get much easier than cake mix swirled with cinnamon and topped with an easy cream cheese glaze. This cake is so quick to make and tastes great for breakfast or dessert!
Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
Don’t get me wrong, I love cinnamon rolls, but they’re a real chore to make. Sometimes, I just want to get my cinnamon fix quick and easy, and that’s when I make this delicious cinnamon roll cake with cake mix. I jazz up the cake mix with sour cream to keep it extra moist, and I swirled in a delicious cinnamon filling. Once topped with my easy cream cheese glaze, this cake tastes just like my favorite cinnamon rolls. It has a lighter and fluffier texture, but the flavor is spot on.
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How to Store
Store leftover cinnamon roll cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Tips for Success
- You can make the cake from scratch instead of using a boxed cake mix. I recommend using this easy cake recipe for the base of the cinnamon roll cake.
- Mix your eggs in their own bowl before pouring them into the bowl full of other cake ingredients. The eggs blend in better when they are pre-mixed.
- Check your cake before pulling it out of the oven. Use a knife or fork to make sure it cooks through all the way. If it is not quite done, you can leave it in the oven for a few more minutes.
- If you want to skip the glaze, you can always just sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top of the cake.
Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe with Cake Mix
Ingredients
For the Cake Base
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix (1 box)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted (⅔ stick)
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 large eggs
For the Filling
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted (½ stick)
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
For the Glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature (¼ brick)
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 4 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the white cake mix, sour cream, butter, milk, and eggs, and mix until well combined.15.25 ounces white cake mix, ½ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup milk, 3 large eggs
- Spread the batter evenly into the baking dish. Set aside.
For the Filling
- In a small bowl, add the butter, cinnamon, and sugar, and stir until well combined.¼ cup unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon, ½ cup brown sugar
- Drop dollops of the cinnamon filling into the cake batter.
- Using a butter knife, swirl it to incorporate the two.
- Bake the cake for about 30 minutes (I baked it for about 33 minutes in my oven), until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean
For the Glaze
- Whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.2 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the glaze over the warm cake and serve.
Notes
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cake Mix Step-by-Step
Mix the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F, spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside. In a large bowl, add 15.25 ounces of white cake mix, ½ cup of sour cream, ⅓ cup of melted unsalted butter, ¼ cup of milk, and 3 large eggs, and mix until well combined.
Fill the Baking Dish: Spread the batter evenly into the baking dish. Set aside.
Mix the Filling: In a small bowl, add ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ cup of brown sugar, and stir until well combined.
Drop the Filling: Drop dollops of the cinnamon filling into the cake batter.
Swirl the Batter: Using a butter knife, swirl it to incorporate the two.
Bake the Cake: Bake the cake for about 30 minutes (I baked it for about 33 minutes in my oven), until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean
Mix the Glaze: Whisk together 2 ounces (¼ brick) of cream cheese, 1 cup of of sifted powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons of milk, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Glaze the Cake: Pour the glaze over the warm cake and serve.
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