Description
This Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake blends the warm spice of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a boxed cake mix, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting—perfect for beginners and cozy occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Layers
- 1 box yellow cake mix (sifted)
- 1 cup cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup water
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Glaze
- 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons very hot water
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened
- 16 oz cream cheese (full-fat)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Set your oven to 325°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment for easier release.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted cake mix, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix sour cream, water, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and pour into the dry ingredients.
- Make the Batter: Beat the combined mixture on medium speed for two minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure a smooth batter.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 22–28 minutes. Cakes are ready when they spring back when touched or a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and hot water until smooth and set aside until the cakes are ready.
- Cool and Glaze the Layers: Once cakes are cool, brush the tops of each layer with the cinnamon sugar glaze. It will absorb quickly, adding extra moisture and flavor.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the butter until smooth, then add cream cheese and mix until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla and gradually beat in powdered sugar and cinnamon until fluffy. Chill briefly if the frosting is too soft to spread.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one layer on your cake stand, brush with glaze, and spread a layer of frosting. Repeat for the second and third layers. Apply a thin crumb coat over the entire cake and chill briefly before adding a final layer of frosting.
- Decorate as Desired: Use a piping bag to create swirls, borders, or a cinnamon-dusted spiral on top. This step is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch.
Notes
- If the frosting softens too much during decorating, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes before continuing.
- For a swirl effect, reserve a small portion of frosting and mix with extra cinnamon for contrast.
- You can freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months.
- Allow them to thaw completely before assembling.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/15 of cake)
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 44g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg