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Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
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If you’re in the mood for homemade cinnamon rolls but don’t want to deal with all that dough kneading and long rising times, this easy Cinnamon Roll Cake is the perfect solution. Imagine a fluffy vanilla cake swirled with a gooey cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a sweet glaze. It’s like having a giant cinnamon roll in cake form, ready to devour in under 30 minutes! Whether it’s for breakfast or dessert, this cake will quickly become a family favorite, especially when paired with a cup of coffee.
Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
What’s not to love about a cake that tastes like a cinnamon roll? This easy cinnamon roll cake recipe uses a boxed cake mix for the base, making it super convenient when you’re short on time. The cinnamon swirl creates that classic cinnamon roll flavor with minimal effort, and the sweet vanilla glaze on top gives it a perfectly moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Plus, you can serve it warm, room temperature, or even straight from the fridge—no judgment here! It’s great for birthdays, potlucks, or even a regular Tuesday morning.
Ingredients Needed For Cinnamon Roll Cake
Everything you need for this cake is pretty common baking ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started. Be sure to check out the variations list if you want to make change things up!
For the cake mix–
- White cake mix – Using a boxed mix cuts down on time, but you still get a deliciously moist cake.
- Eggs – Adds structure to your cake, keeping it light and fluffy.
- Oil – Vegetable, canola or coconut oil helps keep the cake moist.
- Water – Combines with the dry ingredients for a smooth batter.
For the cinnamon mixture–
- Melted butter – Makes the cinnamon mixture rich and buttery.
- Brown sugar – I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar can be used for a deeper mollases flavor.
- Cinnamon – The star of the show for that classic cinnamon roll taste.
For the glaze–
- Powdered sugar – Creates a smooth and sweet vanilla glaze.
- Vanilla extract – Adds flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Milk – Whole milk or 2% is best. Adjust the amount to get the right icing consistency.
Variations
- Cream cheese frosting instead of vanilla glaze for an extra indulgent touch.
- Substitute sour cream for some of the oil in the cake mix for a tangy twist.
- Use dark brown sugar in the cinnamon mixture for a richer flavor.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon swirl for some crunch.
- Try using a yellow cake mix or even a butter pecan cake mix for a flavor variation.
- Make the cake part homemade. My homemade cake recipe is a reader favorite!
How To Make Cinnamon Roll Cake
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card below. Here are my step-by-step instructions for making this homemade cinnamon roll cake:
1. Preheat Oven + Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line half sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Pro Tip: a half sheet pan measures 18x13x1. If you have 2 smaller quarter sheet pans (9x13x1), you can use those instead.
2. Make Cake Batter
In a large bowl, make the cake mix batter according to package directions and spread evenly into the prepared half sheet pan.
Mix melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together and drizzle across cake batter. Using a butter knife, swirl cinnamon filling through cake batter.
3. Bake
Bake about 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into the cake.
4. Make the Glaze
While cake bakes, stir the glaze ingredients together (powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk) to create a glaze the consistency of white glue.
5. Cool + Drizzle With Glaze
Remove from oven and cool 5-10 minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Serve warm for the best cinnamon flavor!
Storage + Make Ahead Directions
Store this cake covered at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want it to last longer, keep it in the fridge.
To Freeze: This cake freezes really well. Let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3-4 months. Just thaw and enjoy.
To Make Ahead: You can bake the cake the day before and store it covered in the fridge. Drizzle the glaze just before serving for the best texture.
More Cinnamon Recipes to Try!
- Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast
- Cinnamon Bread
- Cinnamon Muffins
- Cinnamon Twists
- Chewy Soft Cinnamon Rolls
With this easy and delicious cinnamon roll cake, you get all the deliciousness of traditional cinnamon rolls without all the fuss. Serve it for breakfast (with coffee!), dessert, or even as a birthday cake, and watch the whole family rave about it. The printable recipe card is below! Have a great day, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
This Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is SO easy and SO delicious! After tasting this you will never want to make regular cinnamon rolls again!
Ingredients
for the cake mix-
- 1 package white cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 cup water
for the cinnamon mixture-
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
for the icing-
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Line half sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Make cake mix according to package directions and spread evenly into a sheet pan.
- Mix melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together and drizzle across cake batter. Using a butter knife, swirl cinnamon mixture through cake batter.
- Bake about 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into the cake.
- While cake bakes, stir powdered sugar, vanilla, and just enough milk to create icing the consistency of white glue.
- Remove from oven and cool 5-10 minutes before drizzling with icing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 362mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 33gVitamin A: 215IUCalcium: 114mgIron: 1.1mg
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I am sorry. I love making my desserts from scratch. Do you have a recipe for this particular recipe that is not from the box?
My SIL made it for our small family gatheting this weekend. OMG! I’m not sure it lasted 24 hours! She shared the recipe with me and it’s going in my black recipe box…. which is a special honor! I’m going to make it tonight…. because I’m not sure I got enough! A greedy pleasue for sure!
This cake is so delish, any time day or night.
I’m confused. It says make cake according to package directions but it also shows oil, water and eggs? Is that in addition to the package directions?
Thanks so much!
Should we be following your ingredient list or your instructions which state to follow directions on the cake mix box?
This was really good! However it needs way more than 15 minutes to bake. I think it’s a typo and needs 25
What does it mean to line half sheet pan with parchment paper? Is this half a cookie sheet? Seems like it would over flow, should be a full sheet?
I made this for my kids for brunch. It was bussin.. fire.. so good. Me and the family loved it. Thank you.
I just made this very delish cinnamon roll cake.
My question: I used half a sheet pan. At the suggested 15 minute baking time, it was not done. I ended up cooking it 30 minutes.
I baked this for 15 minutes and it was just liquid! So I then followed the instructions on the cake box.
I am thinking the bake time was a misprint?
What size sheet pan?
In the directions it says to line half of a sheet pan. Does this mean this is only going to be the half the size of a cookie sheet? This has me confused. If it’s only half of a sheet pan/cookie sheet that you use, how do you keep it from running off the liner? I want to make but maybe I am reading this wrong. Thanks
Why does the parchment paper only go on half the sheet pan ? I am going to be making this soon it looks yummy.
I made it!! It did not last long enough to take a picture. Lol. Easy and delicious.
Has anyone made this in a Bundt pan?
What size sheet pan do you use?
I didn’t care for this recipe. The cake was too soft. I was hoping for something more dense like a coffee cake.
I also question the directions regarding using a half sheet pan. I think it’s supposed to be a jelly roll pan, which is 15 x 10, rather than a half sheet which is 18 x 13. Judging by the amount of batter I went with the jelly roll pan and it turned out fine.
This is meant to be a thinner cake and when using a cake mix, it should puff up just fine using a half sheet pan. You’d get a thicker cake in a jelly roll pan. And using cake mixes means soft cake. Sorry you didn’t like it that much. If you want a denser cake, try this recipe: https://laurenslatest.com/bundt-cake-recipe/
I do not understand why no one has mentioned how difficult it is to stop the batter from crawling. There is no wall on one side and the batter does not stop moving. The batter is not thick enough to stay in place.
Hi Terri! In the recipe, I state to use a half sheet pan. That is basically a cookie sheet with sides. It won’t work with a pan that has no sides since this is after all cake batter!
A tiny bit confused- do I make this according to the cake box instructions like it says in the directions or follow what you wrote in the ingredients and add the eggs etc
Hi, wondering if this recipe will work in a bundt pan?
I have a question. How many pieces Does this make. This Wednesday I need to make enough for at least 60 kids for our church dinner each Wednesday I know you’re using a half pan so I know that it makes a large amount.
Well, it is made in a half sheet pan so the cake itself is quite large. If you want smaller pieces, you could easily cut this into 60. But those would be small. I would probably double the recipe.
I wish you had more comments from people who have actually tried your recipes than people wanting to. I’ve noticed this on several of your recipes. But Thank you for sharing.
Can you make this in a 10 x 15 sheet pan
After looking at this recipe, I wonder what size cake mix? This was in 2016, and I do not remember when the box mix size changed. Is it the newer version of just over 15oz, or the old one that was 18oz? It would make a difference in making this
Whichever box cake mix you use, just follow the directions on the back of the box to make the cake, then add the goodies to make it a cinnamon roll cake. Yes, I do remember them changing the cake mix box weight recently too. Though 2016 isn’t that recent. Haha!
Very easy and totally amazing!
I made this in a 9×13 glass dish and cooked it for 34 minutes. It was so moist and delicious! It is now the favorite dessert of my three granddaughters. My husband told me to keep the recipe, because it’s definitely a keeper!
What size pan pls?
Half sheet pan which is 18×13.
Is it possible to make this in a 8 inch square baking pan? I don’t have anything larger.
What about cream cheese icing? Is that a no go on this recipe?
No, you definitely can!! This is a good one: https://laurenslatest.com/cream-cheese-frosting/
Any chance i could use an 17 x 11 cookie pan? I don’t have a sheet pan! Does this rise too much? Help please! Thank you 🙂
It must be me but I thought this was just okay nothing special. Maybe should be called cinnamon cake, I was expecting more of a cinnamon roll taste.
I used a Gluten Free white box cake mix in place of a regular box due to allergies and the result was AMAZING. I haven’t tasted such a good cinnamon roll recipe in YEARS.
Can anyone tell me what size cake mix is used in this recipe. The original cake mix size was 18.25 ounces and now they have changed them to 15.25 ounces. Thanks.
[…] Adapted From: laurenslatest.com […]
Was really yummy. I mixed extra butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together drizzled over top after cooking… Then drizzled icing on.
I’m trying to figure out why only half the sheet pan is lined with parchment paper? And when we spread the batter out onto the pan, do we use the entire pan or just the half that has been lined? Kind of confusing!
Hi Carol! The size of the pan I use is called a ‘half sheet pan’ (26″ x 18″). So you’re lining the entire ‘half sheet pan’ with parchment paper and spreading the batter throughout the whole thing. Not just using half of the sheet pan. Does that make sense?
I made this for a fundraiser with a Rum Chata cream cheese icing. It was auctioned for $120!!!! And the person who bought it said it was “ so so so delicious “ and “ worth ten times what they paid for it.
[…] Read more laurenslatest.com […]
I don’t own a 1/2 sheet pan. What is a good replacement? I have 9×13 casserole dish how would that change the cooking time? Is it too small? I don’t want a giant mess to clean up in the oven. I’m 9 months pregnant and trying to use what I have with minimal cooking drama. Any help would be great! Thanks
What type of oil do you use? Is this vegetable oil?
Thanks,
Vegetable or canola.
[…] For full instructions please see : laurenslatest.com […]
[…] Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake […]
Can i skip the parchment paper and just use a baking spray for the pan?
of course!
[…] Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake […]
Hi! Just made the cake. It is light and yummy. The only problem is, the cinnamon mix sunk to the bottom of the pan. I used a yellow cake mix in a 9×13 pan. The cake did not crackle like in the picture either. It looked rose like a regular sheet cake.
Can I make this in a 9×13 instead?
Delicious!!!
I made this for the 2nd time and it is fast becoming one of our favorites. Thanks
Does 1 milk mean 1 cup?
Are you seeing that in the recipe card? I only see it listed as “milk” for the glaze.
I was up at 430am this morning and made this to surprise my husband with something different with his coffee and I tried this recipe! IT WAS A HIT! He asked if I could do this for him everyday!! Thank you
Made this for a football tailgate and it was gone before we finished cooking breakfast. Easy to make early in the morning, pop it into a warming bag, and pull out all the warm, cinnamon-y goodness on a cold morning. I get requests for it still.
This looks so good! I’d probably eat it for breakfast!
I am going to make this right now!
I made this for Mother’s Day. It was so easy and a huge hit! Thanks!
[…] so I’m doing everything I can to build up my fat stores for winter. *See this recipe, this recipe or scroll down below for today’s […]
This is a very delicious recipe, and although it is not a dough, it can be substituted for a quick version of cinnamon rolls. I liked mine thicker, so I put them in 2 round cake pans. Also, when adding the milk to the powder sugar for the icing on top, start with like a tsp of milk and work your way up from their. Thanks Lauren!!
Looks delicious. I’ll definitely have to try this one 🙂
Ohhh sooo yummy!! I definitely will be making this!! Maybe on Boxing Day!! Thanks Lauren!
mmmmmm, cant’ wait to try it! Maybe for Christmas morning??
These sound like a perfect addition to our Christmas breakfast menu! Can’t wait!
This sounds awesome!
Would love to try this recipe!
This looks absolutely delicious! I cannot wait to try this out
This would be great for school!
I’m making this to take to a friend’s dinner on Monday. Simple, no fuss. Not much time in the kitchen.
This looks so good. It would make an awesome Sunday breakfast treat.
this sounds incredible!
Yum!!!!
This be made in my house for xmas! Yum!
That looks so good I will have to try it. Thanks for the recipe and Merry Christmas.
Omg, I have to try this, I am thinking for xmas am 🙂
OMG! Looks so amazing and easy! Making this for the holidays for sure.
Your recipes truly inspire me.
I am so going to make this for Christmas brunch! Looks YUMMY!
Gonna try this recipe for Christmas morning.
As soon as I read this post for Cinnamon roll sheet cake, I knew I had to try it out on my co workers! They loved it!
This looks really good, can’t wait to make it! My kids will love it!
This is on the menu for Christmas morning.
Just wanted to let you know that this cake is AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for sharing it!!
Looks yummy! Love cinnamon, will try!
This sounds awesome! I was going to make cinnamon rolls for brunch on Christmas Eve but this is so much easier and sounds delicious! Thank you!
I love cinnamon buns and my husband loves cake, a match made in heaven for Christmas Day.
You make everything look so easy. Delicious and calorie scary but I do it anyway! This is in the files for don’t make it for me cuz I can scarf the pan before anyone gets any. Bad girl baking so delicious.
This will be the sweet treat on my Christmas morning buffet!
This is going to be our Christmas morning treat!
This looks like fun to make with my kids over Christmas break.
This looks so yummy! I might try it for Christmas morning.
Looks great – can’t wait to try it!
This looks amazing.
Nothing is better than the taste and aroma of cinnamon rolls!!!! Can’t wait to try this!
Oh my gosh, this looks incredible… can’t wait to try it!
Lauren, this looked so good, so I saved it to Pinterest. I needed a quick dessert, I had the ingredients so I made this cake. It was DELICIOUS!!! (It was really hard not commenting on that beautiful blue eyed baby)
I could eat this all by myself….not kidding….
I have made this and love it! I love pretty much everything that you post!!! Lol
This looks sooo good, I am going to have to make it. Like the sheet cake idea so you can have more to eat. Yumm.
Yay!!! Easy cinnamon rolls….nothing better!
This looks amazing! I’m definitely going to make this one of these cold winter days!
This looks easier than rolling the dough and waiting for dough to rise. I have made Cinnamon Rolls just one time lol – took so long to do. I will try this recipe for the holidays.
I can’t wait to try this. This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
This looks amazing! Yum!
I think I’ll try this tonight!
I always make cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning but think I will make these instead. So much easier but look just as yummy!!!! Love getting your emails sent, such yummy ideas.
This looks amazing and so easy! Anxious to try it. Thanks Lauren!
This looks and sounds amazing. Definitely going to try this soon.
This looks so yummy! I need to try this soon!
Cant wait to try this
Looks absolutely delicious! Going to make it for Christmas Eve gathering! Thanks for the time you put into sharing with us!
This looks amazing and perfect to serve for the holidays when you have guests over.
Going to make this for Christmas morning,adding a sprinkle of nuts!
This looks perfect for Christmas morning!
This can be breakfast, right?! Maybe for Christmas…. 😉 still trying to decide on a Christmas breakfast tradition since our oldest is only 2! Any suggestions???
This looks so good! Even better that I can shorten the time by using a cake mix! Yay! Making this Christmas Eve I think!
This looks delicious!! My 4 year old says we HAVE to make it this weekend! 🙂
Love your recipes.
I made this the other day for my family’s Christmas gathering and it turned out perfect!!
This recipe is going to be a “must make Christmas morning” recipe! 🙂
This looks so good. I am going to make it for New Years brunch.
I’ll be making this for Christmas morning!
We always have cinnamon rolls in some form on Christmas morning! I’m looking forward to making this recipe this year! Looks amazing.
This looks amazing! We love cinnamon rolls in my house!
This is just what I was looking for…an easy but delicious looking dessert for the holidays! Thank you!! I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog!
This looks like something my family will enjoy. I am going to give it a try over the holidays. Thanks!
I love creative cakes that start with box mixes!
I think I’m going to have to try these on Christmas morning
I have made this several times and my family loves it! Thank you.
What an ingenious idea ! This will be a regular for us now ! SOOOO GOOOD ! I made a hard copy for my Special Recipe Notebook. These are the ones my family loves and wants all the time ! Thank you for your recipe !
I made this last weekend and it was so easy and delicious! My son been begging for cinnamon rolls for weeks. So I made this. He said it was way better than any cinnamon rolls ever!
I can’t wait to try this! My hubby loves cinnamon rolls and I think this will be a hit!! Thanks for sharing. I’m going to make this for our Christmas gathering.
Looks yummy!
Thank you for posting this now as it is exactly what I want to make. Your recipies are so perfect and easily made. Am always getting compliments.
I made this last night and it is so easy and tasty!
This looks right up my alley! Thanks!
This is the perfect thing to serve Christmas morning! It has just a few ingredients, which I love! So much better than the cinnamon rolls in the store with tons of chemicals in them and just as easy! Thank you for this recipe! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Making this Christmas morning.
Thank you!
This is amazing. Will be making it for Christmas morning!
I love cinnamon rolls, I am going to make this for Christmas morning
My husband loves cinnamon rolls. I’m making this for Christmas morning. I’m sure he will love it!
Looks delicious and will enjoy making soon – looks WAY easier than cinnamon rolls and makes a large amount too!
This looks delish! I want to bake these cinnamon rolls for the holidays! ????
Looks like a new conference breakfast to try!! Yum!
Thus looks delicious and easy! I think it might be a new tradition in our house instead of cinnamon rolls 😉
I am making this for Christmas morning.
I made this for our church Christmas party. It was easy and tasted delicious. Many people asked for the recipe. Sent them right to your site! Thanks!
This sure looks good for Christmas morning.
Can’t wait to try this!
My family will love this they are cinnamon roll lovers!
I can’t believe how easy this cake is to make and I can’t wait to make it. I love that it is made with a cake mix. This is a cake I know my whole family will love.
I made this and it is easy and excellent!!!
I have to try the cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning
This is the easiest and BEST TASTING cake ever! I made it for my kids in college, and everyone gushed about it! They want me to make it every week for them 🙂
Lauren, This looks great.
I am always pushed for time and easy recipes are my way to serve tasty and time saving meals to my grandchildren.
Thank you I will be baking this soon!
Gotta make this!
Looks fantastic!
I’m going to make this cake for the holidays. Looks delicious!
This looks delicious and easy to make! It will be a great addition to my Christmas brunch!
OMG that looks so good. Perfect for Christmas morning!
I can’t wait to make this! Looks amazing.
We make something similar called a honeybun cake. Yours looks absolutely divine.
This is genius! Individual cinnamon rolls always intimidate me, but I could make this and get my “fix”. ????
This looks really easy and yummy!
I am going to make this for Christmas morning.
Thanks!
This looks amazing! ! Yummo!!!
This is one of my favorite cakes ever! So simple but so so good!
I am going to make this for Christmas! It looks so easy! Hope my kids will eat it! Thank you!
This looks great! My hubby loves cinnamon rolls, but they are kind of a hassel to make! This looks much easier with a similar end result. Definitely going to try this soon!
What size cake mix? I have learned lately it makes a big difference. 15 oz or 18.25 oz?
Og my gosh….to die for! This one is on my “list” to make very soon!
This looks delicious and looks like something I could make for Christmas morning! Plus my girls would love it! Win-win!! Thanks for sharing!
Me too! And also wondering if a yellow cake mix would work just as well?
Of course!
Sandy, I was wondering the same thing!!
OH MY GOSH I came right to my computer to print this out. So much faster than waiting for a dough to rise. AND it’s white cake mix!!??!?!? I cannot WAIT to get this in the oven. Thanks Lauren!!
why so we line only half of the sheet pan?
A half sheet pan is an 18×13 pan.
I was wondering the same thing. What is the size of a half size sheet cake pan. The largest I have is a jelly roll pan.
18×13!!
It looks nice and easy to make on a Sunday morning or for a party. I really enjoy you blog. What a beautiful family!
Good Sunday Morning, up very early made this for three of my grand children who spent the week end with ” granny ” still sleeping but surprise for them upon awakening.
Plus is came out perfect!
Dumb question…what are the measurements of your half sheet pan?
Well, it certainly does look bomb dot com! Hope mine will turn out as photogenic as yours.
– Charmaine
What size pan did you use?
18×13!