The scent of cinnamon wafting through your house has a very sentimental and cozy quality. It’s the aroma of unexpected visits to grandma’s kitchen, warm holidays, and Sunday mornings. All of those memories are captured in one mouthwateringly delicious bite of this Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Swirl Cake. It’s soft and tender, with a gooey glaze that seeps into every nook and cranny and swirls of buttery cinnamon sugar. The finest aspect? It requires no yeast and only basic ingredients, making it incredibly simple to prepare.

This cake has been prepared for bake sales, family brunches, lazy weekend treats, and even presented as a delightful gift. It always makes people smile, regardless of the situation. Within hours (or even minutes) of baking, this recipe, which tastes like a warm hug, vanishes from our home. It always delivers that ooey gooey cinnamon magic, whether you eat it warm from the oven or steal a bite right out of the refrigerator.

Why Do I Love This Recipe?

Because it’s effortless comfort in every bite. It gives you all the flavor of a cinnamon roll with none of the rolling or rising. The swirl is thick, buttery, and sweet, and the cake stays moist for days. It’s a no-fail crowd pleaser, even for beginner bakers.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a cup of coffee for the ultimate morning indulgence, or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. It’s also perfect as part of a holiday brunch spread, paired with fresh fruit and something savory like scrambled eggs or sausage.

Storage & Freezing

Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To freeze, let the cake cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slightly before serving.

Variations of the Recipe

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the swirl for crunch.
Swirl in cream cheese before baking for a cheesecake-cinnamon hybrid.
Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin spice in the fall.
Use a box yellow cake mix as a shortcut base.

Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Swirl Cake

All of those memories are captured in one mouthwateringly delicious bite of this Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Swirl Cake. It’s soft and tender, with a gooey glaze that seeps into every nook and cranny and swirls of buttery cinnamon sugar. The finest aspect? It requires no yeast and only basic ingredients, making it incredibly simple to prepare.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

For the Batter:

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

For the Topping:

1 cup butter very softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon

For the Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Prepare the batter:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, granulated sugar, and baking powder.
In another bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until smooth and combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.

Make the topping:

In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well blended and crumbly.
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the batter in the pan.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (some gooeyness around the topping is expected).

Prepare the glaze:

While the cake bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Cool the cake for about 10 minutes after baking, then drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing to allow the glaze to set and the flavors to meld.
Enjoy!

Ann