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Cinnamon swirl cake is like a cinnamon roll in cake form. Sweet cinnamon crumble swirled through a white cake and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. To die for.
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Cinnamon Roll in Cake Form
Hey there, fellow dessert lovers! If you’re anything like me, you get those cravings for warm, gooey cinnamon rolls but don’t always have the time (or patience) to make them from scratch. That’s where this Cinnamon Swirl Cake comes in—it’s everything you love about a cinnamon roll, packed into a soft, moist cake that’s ridiculously easy to whip up. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
My family absolutely loves this cake. It’s a staple at our weekend gatherings, and I can’t even count how many times I’ve caught someone sneaking an extra slice when they thought no one was looking. The warm, cinnamon aroma fills the house, making it impossible to resist. It’s one of those desserts that disappears quickly because everyone keeps going back for more!
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Swirl Cake
This cake is like a warm hug in dessert form. It’s super simple to make, bursting with cinnamon flavor, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s downright irresistible. The best part? It’s ready in no time, so you can satisfy your cinnamon roll cravings without the wait.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- White cake mix (or yellow/vanilla, if you prefer)
- Eggs, vegetable oil, and water (as per the cake mix instructions)
- Ground cinnamon (or more if you’re a cinnamon fanatic)
- Graham cracker crumbs (crushed finely)
- Melted butter
- Brown sugar (for that rich, caramelized flavor)
- Optional: Chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Butter (softened)
- Vanilla extract (or a splash of almond extract for a twist)
- Powdered sugar (sifted for smoothness)
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Cake
- Prepare the Cake Mix: Follow the instructions on the box to make the batter. Pour half of it into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Cinnamon Swirl: In a bowl, mix together the cinnamon, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until crumbly.
- Swirl It Up: Sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture over the batter. Use a butter knife to gently swirl it through the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top, then repeat the swirl with the rest of the cinnamon mixture.
- Bake: Pop the cake in the oven and bake according to the cake mix instructions. Your kitchen will smell AMAZING.
- Frosting Time: While the cake cools, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread the creamy frosting over the cooled cake, and sprinkle the reserved cinnamon mixture on top. Slice, serve, and enjoy every ooey-gooey bite!
Secret to the Streusel Filling
The star of this show, aside from the fluffy cream cheese frosting, which we will get to, is the crumbly, buttery streusel-like mixture that is swirled throughout the cake. Graham crackers are the hidden secret to this delicious cinnamon swirl cake.
Combining crushed graham crackers with cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter gives the mixture a crunchy texture that will knock your socks off! It doesn’t even taste like graham crackers but provides a texture that can’t be beaten. Start by placing a drizzle on top of the cake batter and swirl it all through the white cake with a toothpick. Save some to crumble over the top of the frosting as a garnish.
Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
Perhaps my favorite part of cinnamon rolls is the luscious, dreamy, and creamy icing that goes on top! It is whipped to perfection and tastes just like cinnamon roll frosting. The combination is heavenly and your tastebuds will be thanking you! This easy cinnamon roll cake recipe is one you will make over and over again!
- Room temperature – Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature.
- Beat – Whip the cream cheese and butter together in a medium bowl for a few minutes to make it light and fluffy before adding any other ingredients.
- Sift – Slowly add powdered sugar, a little at a time, mixing constantly. Sift the sugar to give the powder a light consistency.
- Consistency – If it is too thick, add about a teaspoon of milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Adding vanilla – I like to add the vanilla at the end, then beat on high for about three to five minutes or until it’s nice and fluffy. If you haven’t tried almond extract it is another way to enjoy this cream cheese frosting!
Reviews About this Cake
“Thank you for this recipe! My question, how do you stop eating this cake???? It is sooooo delicious. 🙂”
-Lise
Questions About Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to five. A quick zap in the microwave (10-12 seconds) makes it taste fresh-baked again!
Cassia cinnamon is bold and budget-friendly, while Ceylon cinnamon is milder with a delicate flavor. Either works great here!
Absolutely! Bake the cake a day in advance, and frost it right before serving for the freshest taste.
Yes, you can! Wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and frost before serving.
Definitely. Just use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients (like graham crackers) are gluten-free. The texture might vary slightly, but it’ll still be delicious!
If you don’t have graham crackers, try crushed sweet biscuits, vanilla wafers, or even crushed shortbread cookies for a similar texture and flavor.
Storing Your Cinnamon Swirl Cake
If there is any leftover cake, which is rare at our house, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It stays fresh on the counter for two days, or refrigerate for up to five. Pro tip: it tastes even better the next day!
More Scrumptious Cake Recipes
If you love cake you are in the right place! Check out some of our favorite cake recipes that make the perfect dessert for any occasion. 🎂
Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Video
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix prepared as directed on box
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare white cake mix according to package directions.
- In a separate bowl, combine cinnamon, graham cracker crumbs, butter, and brown sugar. Stir until combined and crumbly. Set aside a ½ cup cinnamon mixture in a separate bowl for topping on the frosting.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the pan.
- Sprinkle half of the remaining cinnamon mixture over the batter, then run a knife through it to swirl.
- Repeat using the remaining cake batter and cinnamon mixture.
- Bake according to the cake package directions.
- Frosting: Beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of cinnamon mixture on top.
Notes
- I love to serve this cake while still slightly warm.
- If the frosting is too thick, you can thin it with a little milk. Only do small amounts at a time to get the perfect spreading consistency.
Nutrition Information
So, what are you waiting for? Go preheat that oven and treat yourself to the best Cinnamon Swirl Cake ever. You deserve it! If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you add any fun twists or special touches? Let me know in the comments below—I can’t wait to read about your delicious creations and your thoughts on this cake!
the best
So happy you like it!
I made the mistake of using boxed graham cracker crumbs, rather than crushed graham crackers. 1 1/2 cups of crumbs doesn’t work, it’s way too much. Doesn’t make a crumble and doesn’t swirl in. You don’t taste the flavor of the brown sugar and butter. I’m sure with all the creme cheese frosting it’ll still be liked, but want to make it again with graham crackers
Have you ever doubled the recipe? If I want to make 2 cakes at the same time, would they turn out good?
We haven’t doubled the recipe before, but let us know how it goes if you try it!
Can this be made with the cinnamon flavored graham crackers instead of the regular ones?
Yes! That sounds tasty!
Looking forward to trying this recipe as my boyfriend LOVES anything with a good cinnamon swirl. Can this be made in a bundt form instead of a 13×9? I am assuming so…but would I then start with a little crumble in the bottom of the bundt first then cake mix etc? I’m worried about the crumble burning in the bottom of the bundt pan which then ends up being the top of the cake. Thoughts?
I love cinnamon, so this is a cake I would eat any time of the year. I wish I could have a slice now.
This cake was a big hit! I’ll definitely be making it again!
This looks so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this recipe!