With a taste like buttery cinnamon rolls and a topping that has the right crunch of cinnamon toast, this Cinnamon Toast Cake is an superior shock. I’ve had this cake for breakfast, a day snack, and a late evening dessert. And, I can inform you, it’s successful at any time of day.

With only a few components that you simply possible have already got in your pantry, this straightforward unassuming trying cake has been certainly one of my favourite desserts for a really very very long time. I really like this cake a lot that we additionally make it in as cinnamon toast bars for feeding a crowd. And, it was just about a completed deal that I’d be making a Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream, too. Your woman has a sort, okay?
Cinnamon Toast Cake


I made this cake for the primary time once I was a little bit woman. The identify simply leapt proper off of certainly one of my mother’s yellowed 3×5 playing cards, and I knew I needed to attempt it. It was love at first chew. The tender crumb, with a heat, crunchy cinnamon toast topping is positively divine.
I’ve been making this cake for extra years now than I ought to in all probability even admit, since I began making it once I was about 10 years outdated.
So, when it got here time to choose desserts for my first cookbook? It was a foregone conclusion that I simply needed to embody it in The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook. I fell in love with it yet again.
This cinnamon toast cake by no means fails to impress our friends, whether or not I serve it with a scoop of ice cream after dinner, or a sizzling mug of espresso for breakfast. One chew is all it takes. Attempt it, and also you’ll see why so lots of my fellow bloggers have shared the recipe. It’s simply that good.
Thanks, Mother!


Substances and Substitutions
Flour — This recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Verify the guidelines part when you want a gluten free adaptation.
Cinnamon and Sugar — These are the quintessential points of cinnamon toast, and this cake nails the steadiness. I exploit floor cinnamon from my spice cupboard and I virtually at all times purchase ours at Costco. Nevertheless you may be happy to be as fancy as you want with yours.
Vanilla — Do you ever discover how just about all baked items embody vanilla extract? We embody it as a result of it provides heat notes, and helps to spotlight flavors within the different components. So, no, this isn’t a vanilla cake. However, don’t skip this ingredient.
Dairy — I at all times use entire milk and unsalted butter once I’m baking. For a dairy-free model, test the FAQ.
Baking Powder — You should use baking powder by itself. However, do you know that baking soda wants baking powder to completely activate? My eldest son as soon as made this cake with baking soda as an alternative of baking powder. My boys referred to as the outcome “a cinnamon toast brick.” So, don’t try this.
Salt — I exploit kosher salt on a regular basis in my kitchen, until in any other case famous


Notes on Tools
- Giant mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Small bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Square cake pan – A baking pan with a lid is sort of a costume with pockets. It’s simply higher! It makes it simple to deliver this cinnamon toast cake on the go to a potluck or when visiting associates.


Find out how to Make Cinnamon Toast Cake
Preheating the Oven: Let’s get issues began by preheating the oven to 350°F.
Greasing the Pan: You’re going to want to grease a sq. cake pan. I exploit a ten×10 for this recipe. And, I’ve lastly simply accepted that I actually don’t like having to clean butter off of my fingers. So, I exploit disposable gloves for this step. Price each penny.
Whisking the Dry: I measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a big mixing bowl and provides it a fast whisk.
Stirring within the Relaxation: Two tablespoons of butter go into the microwave to soften. Reserve the remaining for the topping. Add the melted butter, the milk, and the vanilla into the blending bowl, and whisk to mix.
Baking: When you’ve poured the batter into the greased pan, simply set it into the oven and overlook it for 25 minutes. Okay, effectively, don’t really overlook it. I exploit these kitchen timers for that. This recipe for cinnamon toast cake is fairly forgiving, however not THAT forgiving.


Making ready the Topping: Whereas the cake is baking, it would be best to whisk collectively the topping in a mixing bowl. It’s simply cinnamon, sugar, and a stick of melted butter.
Pouring the Topping: After the 25 minutes are up (and also you’ll know, since you undoubtedly didn’t overlook to set a timer!), pull the baking pan from the oven. Then, I gently pour the topping over the cake.
Closing Spherical of Baking: You’ll return the cake to the oven and bake for one more 10 minutes or so, till the cinnamon layer is effervescent. Let it cool, then serve!


Skilled Tip
That is an eggless cake. And, which means it’s going to get its rise and construction from the leavening agent (baking powder) and the air that you simply entice within the batter. So, you’re going to need to beat the cream and sugar effectively. However, no matter you do, don’t over whisk the batter, otherwise you’ll overdevelop the gluten and also you’ll find yourself with a dense cake. You need to cease whisking as quickly as it’s totally integrated, and there aren’t any extra streaks of flour within the batter.
Pour Some Sugar – While you’re pouring the topping over the recent cake, ensure to drizzle the perimeters and corners first, after which go frivolously throughout the center. In the event you simply pour it out within the center, generally it might make your cake fall barely. Nonetheless scrumptious. However, not as fairly.
Soften, Then Cool – While you soften the butter to combine into the cake, ensure to let it settle down after heating. That is additionally only a good rule of thumb, as including scalding butter to your batter can upset a number of the different components.
Be Cool, Hunny Bunny – In the event you plan to serve the cake instantly after baking, it’s particularly vital to attend 5-10 minutes earlier than serving. The cinnamon topping will set because it cools. Slicing prematurely could make it run.
Gluten-Free Choice – I spent years creating gluten-free recipes when certainly one of my kids developed a sensitivity to gluten. (Fortunately, he’s outgrown that sensitivity.) And, the very best substitute for this recipe is 1¼ cup brown rice flour, ½ cup tapioca starch, and ¼ cup potato starch. However, you may swap for a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix that you simply belief.


Serving Strategies
This cake goes pairs splendidly with so many alternative choices. For a summer time potluck, simply add contemporary fruit, like this watermelon fruit salad or my rainbow fruit salad. The cinnamon crust with chilly, juicy fruit is a mixture you’ll love.
And, if I’m blessed to be consuming this for breakfast or brunch? All I want is a mug of my cafe con leche with a heat sq. of cake on the facet. That’s the transfer.


Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: Sure, this cake will be made the day earlier than you want it. It retains very effectively in a single day.
Find out how to Retailer: This cake will be saved in an hermetic container on the counter or within the fridge for a number of days. And, when you wrap the servings individually and retailer them in a freezer bag, they will go be frozen for 2 months, no drawback.
Extra Straightforward Cake Recipes


Continuously Requested Questions
You should use no matter 1:1 GF flour you like. However, I’ve my very own tried and true GF flour mix listed within the professional suggestions part that works superbly for this cake.
Definitely. I’ve discovered that almond milk and vegan butter or coconut oil work effectively as substitutes with this cake. However, I desire coconut oil, as I dislike the style the vegan butter.
You would cut up the batter into two loaf pans, when you wished. However, the complete recipe is an excessive amount of batter for the standard loaf. It would overflow and then you definately’ll be scraping blackened cake batter off the underside of your oven. Ask me how I do know.
* Gluten-Free Various
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a ten” sq. pan (8″ or 9″ works as effectively). Whisk collectively the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir within the milk, vanilla, and butter. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25 minutes (add 2 minutes for an 8″ pan).
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Whereas the cake is baking, mix the topping components and whisk collectively. Take away the cake from the oven when the timer goes off and pour the topping throughout the cake.
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Bake the cake for an extra 10 minutes till the cinnamon layer is effervescent. Let cool earlier than serving.
Energy: 362 kcal | Carbohydrates: 57 g | Protein: 4 g | Fats: 14 g | Saturated Fats: 9 g | Trans Fats: 1 g | Ldl cholesterol: 37 mg | Sodium: 384 mg | Potassium: 162 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 35 g | Vitamin A: 438 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 81 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Diet data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
{Recipe initially printed 10/22/2011 – images and recipe card up to date 4/23/2026}
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