The Perfect Cinnamon Swirl Delight Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Cinnamon swirl magic upgrades ordinary cake into an extraordinary dessert that beckons with warm, inviting aromas.

Sweet spirals of spice weave through soft, tender crumb, creating a mesmerizing pattern that delights the senses.

Bakers adore this classic treat for its irresistible combination of comfort and elegance.

Delicate layers promise a sensory journey that sparks memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Subtle hints of warmth embrace each slice with nostalgic charm and irresistible sweetness.

Baking enthusiasts appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such a spectacular result.

Rich, aromatic notes dance across your palate, promising a truly memorable culinary experience.

Cinnamon Swirl Cake in a Flash

• Swirl and Savor: This cake offers a delightful cinnamon swirl pattern that creates beautiful marbled visuals and delivers an exciting burst of flavor in every slice.
• Quick and Easy Comfort: Requiring just basic pantry ingredients and simple mixing techniques, this recipe becomes accessible for bakers of all skill levels, making homemade dessert stress-free and enjoyable.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for breakfast gatherings, afternoon tea, potlucks, or casual dessert settings, this cake provides a warm, inviting treat that suits multiple occasions and satisfies sweet cravings with its rich, buttery texture and aromatic cinnamon swirls.
• Indulgent Glazed Finish: The smooth vanilla glaze adds a luxurious touch, transforming the cake from simple to spectacular and creating a professional-looking dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a bakery.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Swirl Cake

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and body to the cake, choose all-purpose flour for best results.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a tender crumb, white granulated sugar works perfectly.
• Eggs: Provide moisture, richness, and help bind the ingredients together, fresh large eggs recommended.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter, whole milk preferred for better texture.
• Butter: Brings richness and flavor, unsalted butter allows better control of the cake's saltiness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor, pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a rich topping, light or dark brown sugar works.
• Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic flavor that defines the swirl effect, ground cinnamon is essential.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the topping mixture.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze with a perfect drizzling consistency.
• Milk: Helps thin and blend the glaze to the right texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to the glaze, complementing the cake's overall taste.

Bake Cinnamon Swirl Cake the Easy Way

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Crank up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and coat it generously with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Create the Cake Batter

• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Flour
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Milk

Blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth with zero lumps.

Step 3: Fill the Baking Pan

Pour the velvety batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, reaching all corners.

Step 4: Craft the Cinnamon Swirl Topping

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Ground cinnamon

Stir until the ingredients transform into a rich, crumbly mixture.

Step 5: Swirl the Topping

Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture across the cake batter. Take a knife and create mesmerizing swirls, weaving the topping through the batter like an edible artwork.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when the cake is ready.

Step 7: Whip Up the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the glaze reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.

Step 8: Final Touch of Sweetness

Once the cake emerges from the oven, drizzle the glaze generously while it’s still warm. Let it set and create a tempting glossy surface.

Top Tips for Cinnamon Swirl Cake

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Remove butter from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal soft, room temperature consistency for smooth mixing.
• Prevent Lumpy Batter: Sift dry ingredients like flour and baking powder together to eliminate clumps and ensure a silky, even cake texture.
• Create Stunning Swirls: Use the tip of a butter knife or wooden skewer to create intricate, delicate marbling patterns when adding the cinnamon topping.
• Check Cake Doneness Accurately: Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the cake's center; if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Drizzle the glaze while the cake is still warm to help it spread more evenly and absorb slightly into the cake's surface for maximum flavor.

Save Cinnamon Swirl Cake for Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve its moist texture.
• Room Temperature: Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight to maintain freshness.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. For best results, use a toaster oven to restore the cake's original soft and slightly crispy edges. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness.

What Complements Cinnamon Swirl Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: A rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee balances the cake's sweetness, cutting through the buttery cinnamon swirls with its robust flavor profile.
• Complement with Creamy Vanilla Scoop: A generous dollop of cold vanilla bean ice cream melts beautifully against the warm cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast.
• Enhance with Nutty Sidekick: Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts around the cake's edges to add a satisfying crunch and earthy depth that harmonizes with the cinnamon's warmth.
• Refresh with Spiced Tea Pairing: A chai tea with its subtle spices echoes the cake's cinnamon notes, offering a comforting and aromatic beverage that elevates the dessert experience.

Cinnamon Swirl Cake Ideas to Try

• Nutty Cinnamon Swirl: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping mixture for added crunch and nutty flavor. The nuts will provide a delightful texture contrast to the soft cake.
• Cream Cheese Marble: Swirl in softened cream cheese between the cake batter and cinnamon topping. This will create a rich, tangy layer that complements the sweet cinnamon notes.
• Apple Cinnamon Fusion: Fold diced fresh apples into the cake batter before adding the cinnamon swirl. The apples will bring moisture and a hint of fruity sweetness to the cake.
• Chocolate Chip Surprise: Gently mix mini chocolate chips into the cake batter before pouring into the pan. The chocolate will melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey goodness throughout the cake.

Cinnamon Swirl Delight Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Cinnamon Swirl Delight Cake whispers sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen, blending warm spices and tender crumb into a nostalgic dessert. Comfort flows through each slice, inviting you to savor classic comfort with a comforting hug of cinnamon warmth.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup melted butter
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Thoroughly coat a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 centimeters) baking pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy cake removal.
2. Create the cake base by whisking together melted unsalted butter, large eggs, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, and whole milk until the mixture transforms into a silky, lump-free batter.
3. Distribute the cake batter uniformly across the prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth the surface and ensure even thickness.
4. Craft the cinnamon swirl mixture by combining melted unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl, stirring until the ingredients meld into a cohesive, crumbly texture.
5. Generously scatter the cinnamon mixture over the cake batter, then use a knife to create elegant, meandering swirls throughout the surface, generating a marbled visual pattern.
6. Position the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the edges turn golden brown.
7. Simultaneously prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture reaches a smooth, pourable consistency similar to light syrup.
8. Once removed from the oven, allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes, then drizzle the glaze generously across the surface, permitting it to set and create a glossy, sweet finish.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by greasing the pan thoroughly to prevent any sticky situations with your cake.
• Create a silky-smooth batter by whisking ingredients until completely blended, eliminating any stubborn lumps.
• Master the swirl technique by using a knife to gently drag the cinnamon topping through the batter, creating beautiful marble patterns.
• Check cake doneness precisely with the toothpick method – a clean pick means perfectly baked goodness.
• Drizzle warm glaze immediately after baking to let it seep into the cake’s nooks and crannies for maximum flavor.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain the cake’s soft, moist texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 471 kcal
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 196 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg