Description
Bake a gooey, fluffy Giant Cinnamon Roll Cake that doubles as a show-stopping centerpiece for brunch, holidays, or birthdays. With soft spiraled layers, a gooey cinnamon filling, and a drizzle of sweet icing, this cake is bakery-quality but surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Dough
2 ¾ cups (344g) all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 standard packet)
¾ cup (180ml) whole milk
¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter
1 large egg, at room temperature
Filling
¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup (50g) brown sugar (light or dark)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Icing
1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons (30ml) milk or heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the dough: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Warm milk and butter until butter melts and mixture is 100–110°F. Pour into dry ingredients, add egg, and mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead: Knead by hand for 5 minutes or with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic. Dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
First rise: Shape into a ball, cover, and let rest 30 minutes.
Add the filling: Roll dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle. Spread with butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Shape the cake: Cut into six 2-inch wide strips. Roll the first strip into a spiral and place in a greased 9-inch cake pan. Wrap remaining strips around it.
Second rise: Cover loosely and let rise 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Bake: Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
Add icing: Whisk sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm cake before serving.
Notes
Overnight option: Shape the cake, refrigerate overnight, then let rise 1–2 hours at room temperature before baking.
Freezing: Freeze unbaked, par-baked, or fully baked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or finishing.
Flavor variations: Try maple pecan, pumpkin spice, or cream cheese icing for a twist.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg