Vanilla Cinnamon Roll Cake

Jul 11, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Origin: Madagascar Vanilla: Extract Medium

This classic butter cake has a tender crumb, clean vanilla flavor, and enough structure for layering or frosting. It combines a cinnamon-brown-sugar ribbon, buttery bakery notes, and a vanilla-glaze finish. Best with Madagascar vanilla (rich, creamy, classic); any pure vanilla works.

Prep 25 min

Cook 30 min

Cooling 45 min

Total 1 hr 40 min

Servings 10

Diet —

Ingredients

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups (240.0 g)granulated sugar
¾ cup (170.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
3.0 (150.0 g)large eggs
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
2 ¼ tsp (11.25 ml)VanillaGoods vanilla extract

Cinnamon swirl

6.0 tbsp (80.0 g)packed brown sugar
4.0 tbsp (56.0 g)unsalted butter for cinnamon swirl, softened
1.0 tbsp (8.0 g)ground cinnamon

Vanilla glaze

¾ cup (90.0 g)confectioners' sugar
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)whole milk for vanilla glaze

Make it at home

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment, and grease the parchment.
Beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes. The mixture should be pale, fluffy, and visibly increased in volume.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in all but 1/2 teaspoon of the measured vanilla; reserve that 1/2 teaspoon for the glaze. If the batter begins to look curdled, add a spoonful of the measured flour.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix on low and stop as soon as the batter is smooth.
Mix the brown sugar, softened butter, and cinnamon until smooth. Divide half the batter between the prepared pans. Dollop half the cinnamon mixture over the batter and swirl lightly. Add the remaining batter, dollop with the remaining cinnamon mixture, and swirl only a few times. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes. The cakes are done when the tops spring back lightly and a tester inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them onto a rack and let them cool completely before filling or frosting. When completely cool, stir the confectioners' sugar, milk, and reserved vanilla into a thick glaze and drizzle it over the cakes.

Tips

Vanilla bean paste swaps 1:1 for the extract and adds visible vanilla seeds; for a whole bean, use the seeds of 1 bean in place of 2 teaspoons of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla cinnamon roll cake?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, plus 45 minutes to rest, chill, or cool. It makes 10 servings.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Vanilla bean paste swaps 1:1 for the extract and adds visible vanilla seeds; for a whole bean, use the seeds of 1 bean in place of 2 teaspoons of extract.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

451 Calories / serving

20.9g Fat

61.2g Carbs

5.5g Protein

42.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~4510 cal · 209g fat · 612g carbs · 55g protein · 423g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 451 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 85 min·5.0 mi·~9950 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 61 min·3.1 mi·~6100 steps
Moderate cycling 46 min·9.2 mi
Swimming laps 63 min
Jogging 44 min·3.7 mi·~7050 steps
Stair climbing 42 min·~3800 steps
Dancing 73 min
Bodyweight circuit training 46 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 105 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.