If you are craving a dessert that wraps you up in the warm, comforting embrace of a bakery-fresh cinnamon roll without all the fuss, this Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a moist, tender cake layered with sweet cinnamon swirls that practically melt in your mouth, topped with a luscious glaze that makes every bite irresistibly sticky and delightful. This cake takes all the beloved flavors of a classic cinnamon roll and turns them into a beautifully simple, shareable cake that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels like a big, sweet hug from your oven!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the list intimidate you; the ingredients here are straightforward pantry staples that come together to create magic. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of tender cake, rich cinnamon flavor, and that distinctive ooey-gooey texture.
- All-purpose flour (cake and swirl): The foundation that gives the cake its structure and the swirl its body.
- Salt: A tiny pinch to enhance every other flavor in the cake.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and tenderness to the cake base.
- Baking powder: The essential leavening agent that makes the cake rise perfectly fluffy.
- Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute richness and stability.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a subtle warmth and depth of flavor.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Essential for a rich, buttery flavor both in the cake and cinnamon swirl.
- Brown sugar: Packs that deep caramel sweetness in the cinnamon swirl.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives the swirl its iconic warm, spicy punch.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a smooth, sweet finishing touch that melts over the warm cake.
How to Make Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly to ensure the cake doesn’t stick. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. These dry ingredients create the perfect base for your cake’s tender crumb. Then, add the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir everything until the batter is smooth and combined — this mixture will be thick yet pourable, ready to support those irresistible cinnamon swirls.
Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Swirl
In a separate bowl, blend the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. This combination builds that classic cinnamon sweetness with just a hint of texture. Adding the softened butter transforms this mixture into a thick, spreadable paste that’s easy to drop in spoonfuls over your batter. This swirl mixture will be the gooey heart of the cake, so don’t skip this luscious step!
Step 3: Combine and Swirl
Pour your batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly. Then, drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon swirl mixture on top. Using a knife, gently swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter with a few sweeping motions — this is where all the magic happens. The swirled batter will bake to create that characteristic ooey gooey cinnamon roll texture nestled inside the cake.
Step 4: Bake and Glaze
Bake your cake for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with no raw batter clinging on. Meanwhile, whisk together the glaze ingredients — powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla — until smooth and pourable. Once the cake has cooled for about 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cake. This final touch adds a silky glaze that enhances the sweetness and ooey-gooey quality you’re craving.
How to Serve Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra sparkle, consider topping each slice with chopped pecans, which add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake. A drizzle of cream cheese frosting on top offers a tangy richness that harmonizes perfectly with the cinnamon and sweetness of the glaze.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a comforting cup of coffee or chai tea — the warm spices in the tea echo the cinnamon notes wonderfully. For a brunch celebration, serve alongside fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a simple mixed green salad to balance the rich sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the cake into small squares for a party buffet or layer the cake chunks with whipped cream and fresh berries in a trifle bowl for an impressive dessert centerpiece. You can even scoop warm cake into bowls and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that’s hard to beat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store any uneaten cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the cake moist but still maintains its ooey gooey quality. For longer storage, refrigeration is an option but can slightly firm up the texture.
Freezing
You can freeze slices individually, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag, for up to three months. When you’re ready to indulge again, just thaw them overnight in the fridge or on the counter.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked warmth, gently microwave slices for 15 to 20 seconds. This quick reheating revitalizes the gooey swirl and soft cake texture, making it taste freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
While whole wheat flour can be substituted, it will change the texture and flavor somewhat, giving the cake a heartier and denser crumb. For best results, try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour.
Is this cake better warm or at room temperature?
This cake truly shines when served warm. The cinnamon swirl and glaze become delightfully ooey gooey, creating that melt-in-your-mouth experience. However, room temperature slices still taste excellent and are easier to slice neatly.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the milk for your favorite plant-based milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative. The cake will still be moist with a slightly different flavor profile.
How do I prevent the cinnamon swirl from sinking?
Swirling gently and not over-mixing helps keep the cinnamon swirl distributed throughout the batter. Dropping spoonfuls on top before swirling ensures the perfect balance of cinnamon in each bite.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the cake?
Yes, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or raisins to the batter is a delicious variation. Just fold them in with the wet ingredients before combining with dry to distribute evenly.
Final Thoughts
This Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe is a cozy celebration in a pan that’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s simple to make, gloriously comforting, and brings together the best qualities of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a cake. Next time you want to treat yourself or impress friends and family, give this recipe a go — I promise it will bring smiles and satisfy sweet cravings like no other!
Print
Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Roll Cake is a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that combines the comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls into an easy-to-make bake. Featuring a moist cake base swirled with a rich cinnamon-brown sugar mixture and topped with a silky vanilla glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful treat any time of day.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- â…” cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake does not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Cake: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, granulated sugar, and baking powder until evenly combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients to Cake Batter: Pour in the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir gently until the batter is smooth and well mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish spreading evenly.
- Create Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Add the softened butter and mix until a thick, spreadable paste forms.
- Incorporate the Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the cake batter. Using a knife, gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter to create a marbled effect without fully blending it.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean indicating the cake is cooked through.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm cake, letting it soak in to enhance the gooey texture.
- Serve: Serve the cake warm for the best ooey gooey experience. Leftovers can be reheated gently in the microwave.
Notes
- This cake is best enjoyed warm to maintain its gooey texture.
- Leftovers can be gently reheated in the microwave for a quick treat.
- For an extra indulgent twist, add chopped pecans atop the glaze or drizzle with cream cheese frosting.
