When you’re craving the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls but lack the time for yeast-based baking, this Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake offers a delightful alternative. Combining the tender texture of coffee cake with a rich cinnamon-sugar topping and a luscious cream cheese icing, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This recipe is ideal for gatherings, holidays, or any time you desire a sweet treat without the fuss of traditional cinnamon rolls.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1½ cups whole milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon table salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup butter, melted

For the Topping:

½ cup salted butter, softened (not melted)
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

4 ounces regular cream cheese, fully softened
1 tablespoon salted butter, melted
1 cup powdered sugar
1–3 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the lower-middle. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture just until no dry flour streaks remain; do not overmix.
Drizzle in the melted butter and gently fold to fully combine. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
In a bowl, mix together all the topping ingredients, except for the nuts, until well combined. Stir in the nuts.
Drop the topping in small spoonfuls evenly over the entire top of the batter, including corners and edges.
Bake for 33–37 minutes. The cake will appear wet in certain spots due to the melted topping; insert a toothpick into a cake-only portion to test for doneness. When the toothpick comes out almost clean, with a few moist crumbs attached, it’s done. Do not overbake.
Let the cake cool on a wire rack while you make the cream cheese icing.
Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to blend the softened cream cheese with melted butter until smooth. Gently mix in powdered sugar and up to 3 tablespoons of milk, until a thick drizzle consistency is reached.
Drizzle the cream cheese icing over the warm or cooled cake.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutritional Facts (per serving)

Calories: 320 kcal
Carbohydrates: 43.8 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 14.5 g
Saturated Fat: 7.7 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Cholesterol: 50.9 mg
Sodium: 112.6 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 23.2 g

The Charm of Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake: A Delicious Fusion

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is an exceptional treat that brings together two beloved baked goods into one irresistible dessert. It captures the soft, tender crumb and easy preparation of a coffee cake, combined with the sweet, spicy, and buttery flavors typical of a cinnamon roll. This delightful fusion offers a comforting experience for anyone who loves cinnamon and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a cozy afternoon snack with coffee or tea.

This recipe is especially popular because it solves a common baking dilemma — cinnamon rolls, while delicious, require time and patience due to their yeast-based dough and rising periods. The Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake uses baking powder as a leavening agent instead, making it much quicker and simpler to prepare while still delivering those signature flavors and textures that make cinnamon rolls so adored.

Why Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake Is Perfect for Every Occasion

Whether you are hosting a casual weekend brunch or looking for an easy dessert to impress your guests, this cake fits the bill perfectly. It’s ideal for occasions where you want something comforting but don’t have hours to devote to complicated baking. Its ease of preparation makes it a go-to recipe for busy mornings, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations alike.

Another advantage is its versatility. You can customize the topping by adding nuts like pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch, or leave them out if you prefer a softer texture. The cream cheese icing drizzled on top adds an extra layer of richness and balances the sweet and spicy cinnamon flavor beautifully, elevating this cake from simple to spectacular.

The Science Behind the Texture and Flavor

What sets this coffee cake apart is the delicate balance of ingredients that creates its signature moist and tender crumb. The combination of baking powder and the right amount of flour ensures the cake rises sufficiently without becoming dense or heavy. The melted butter incorporated into the batter adds richness and moisture, while the cinnamon-sugar topping melds into the batter as it bakes, creating pockets of sweet and spicy goodness.

The topping itself, made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour, forms a slightly crisp, caramelized layer that contrasts wonderfully with the soft cake underneath. When nuts are added, they toast during baking, bringing a warm, nutty flavor and crunchy texture that complements the smooth cake and creamy icing.

The cream cheese icing is more than just a decorative finish; it also adds a tangy, smooth element that cuts through the sweetness and brings the flavors together harmoniously. This icing can be made thicker or thinner depending on preference, allowing for more or less sweetness.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This cake is incredibly versatile in how it can be served. Warm or at room temperature, it pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, latte, or tea, making it an excellent choice for breakfast or brunch. For dessert, it can be served alongside vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit for added contrast and freshness. Because the cream cheese icing adds moisture and richness, it keeps the cake moist even when left out for several hours, making it suitable for potlucks, picnics, or coffee hours where food sits out for a while.

Storage and Leftovers

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake stores well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and refrigerate; it can last up to 5 days in the fridge. Before serving refrigerated cake, bring it to room temperature or warm it briefly to restore softness and flavor.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is a perfect blend of flavor, texture, and convenience. It takes the beloved taste of cinnamon rolls and simplifies it into a quick, easy-to-make coffee cake that still delivers all the rich cinnamon-sugar flavor and moist crumb you expect. Its versatility makes it ideal for a wide range of occasions — from casual breakfasts and holiday brunches to dessert and snack times.

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