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Cinnamon Bun Cake

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Is there anything more comforting than a freshly baked cinnamon bun? Or do you call it a cinnamon roll? Bun, roll, whatever you wanna call it…it’s pure deliciousness. That burst of warm cinnamon-scented air as you open the oven door and pull out the tray. The bubbling crackling noise of the sugar, cinnamon, and butter filling boiling inside each little roll of puffed doughy goodness. Heaven. Pure and total comfort food heaven. And I’ve rolled all of that into this amazing cinnamon bun cake.

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Cinnamon Bun Cake

It was getting close to Sunday and I had planned to take a cake break. No cake that weekend for our regular Sunday family dinner, but instead some fresh cinnamon buns. Saturday rolls around and my hubby walks in the kitchen and politely inquires as to what kind of cake I was going to make the following day. “Uh…I wasn’t planning on making a cake,” I replied ever-so-sweetly.

His face dropped and, while bless his heart, he tried his best to hide his disappointment, I saw a flash of momentary loss. So the people-pleaser in me hauled butt to the grocery store for a bag of cinnamon bun Oreos, and I quickly got to measuring, mixing, and baking and created a cinnamon bun-inspired cake.

Cinnamon Bun Cake Filling

I’m gonna date myself here but, who remembers that way tasty margarine cinnamon type spread? I can only imagine the junk that was put into it but holy Batman it was good! My mom would spread it on my toast every once in a while for a treat and I can remember licking it off and asking for me. Much to my displeasure, and that of every child of the 90s, said cinnamon spread has been discontinued.

No sweat though…I whipped up a version that has only 5 ingredients and pretty darn tasty if I may say so myself. I joyously spread it on my kid’s toast that next morning and was met with “ohs” and “aws” reminiscent of my own childhood. But enough about the cinnamon spread, let’s start baking this bomb Cinnamon Bun cake, shall we?

Warm and Cozy Baking Recipes

This cinnamon bun cake is everything cozy comfort. If you like this, I bet you’ll appreciate these other recipes:

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Cinnamon Bun Cake

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5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Katie
  • Total Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
  • Yield: 12 Slices 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

The most incredible cinnamon bun cake comes with copycat cinnamon spread filling and whipped cream cheese cinnamon Oreo cookie frosting. Cinnamon bun yum in every single bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Cinnamon Bun Cake

  • 1/2 cup salted butter *can sub dairy-free

  • 1/3 cup all-vegetable oil

  • 1 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 1/3 cup plain yogurt or sour cream *can sub dairy-free

  • 4 egg whites, room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted *can sub gluten-free flour 1:1 baking blend

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 1/2 cup milk *can sub dairy-free

  • optional: 1 cup raisins

Copycat Cinnamon Spread

  • 1/2 cup salted butter *can sub dairy-free

  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Cinnamon Oreo Buttercream

  • 1 cup salted butter, room temperature *can sub dairy-free

  • 1 package (8oz/200g) cream cheese *can sub dairy-free

  • 6 cups powdered sugar

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 1 cup crushed cinnamon bun Oreos *can sub gluten-free golden Oreos

Cinnamon Drip

Instructions

Cinnamon Bun Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare four 6-inch round cake pans with baking spray and parchment paper.

  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter, oil, and sugar on high for 2 minutes with the whisk attachment.

  3. Add the egg whites and mix on high for 2 minutes.

  4. Add the yogurt or sour cream and vanilla extract and mix on high for 2 minutes.

  5. Combine all the dry ingredients into the mixer and mix on low.

  6. While the mixer is on low slowly pour in the milk and mix until combined. Be careful to not overmix the batter.

  7. If using raisins, gently fold them into the batter with a spatula.

  8. Divide batter between pans and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.

  9. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then invert on a cooling rack to fully cool.

Copycat Cinnamon Spread

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Approximately 2 minutes.

  2. Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt and mix until fully incorporated.

  3. Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.

Cinnamon Oreo Buttercream

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter and cream cheese on high speed with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. This should take approximately 5-10 minutes.

  2. Add the icing sugar, cinnamon, and salt and mix on low until combined.

  3. Add in the crushed cinnamon bun Oreos and mix on low until combined.

  4. Turn the mixer up to high and let mix for 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl when necessary.

Cinnamon Drip

  1. In a microwave-safe bowl combine the cinnamon chips and almond milk and heat in 30-second intervals until fully melted and smooth stirring between each interval.

  2. Depending on the kind of milk, the drip may require a touch more milk to thin or a few more cinnamon chips to thicken. *I always test my ganache drips over the edge of the kitchen sink before applying to a cake to check the consistency.

Cake Assembly

  1. Place one leveled layer of cinnamon bun cake on a cake board or plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of buttercream.

  2. Pipe a buttercream ring border around the edge and fill with approximately 2 tablespoons of copycat cinnamon spread.

  3. Repeat with the remaining layers and apply a thin coat of buttercream all over the cake. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

  4. Cover the cake with another layer of buttercream and smooth the sides using the Wilton Cake Smoother.

  5. On a well-chilled cake, with a spoon or a piping bag, drip the cinnamon ganache over the edges of the cake and put it back in the refrigerator to set.

  6. Decorate as you please. I used a Wilton 1M tip and piped buttercream swirls with a Cinnamon Bun Oreo in between each swirl. Enjoy!

Equipment

  • Prep Time: 60 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 Minutes
  • Category: Cakes
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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21 Comments

  2. I have made this cake at least 3-4 times. It is easily one of my favorite cake recipes. I don’t have a lot of non-dairy ingredients in my home, except for almond milk, and the cake still comes out wonderful! It might seem like you are putting a lot of cinnamon in the batter, but it is the perfect amount!! The cake is soft and tender, yet sturdy enough to be stacked. Amazing recipe!! Not to mention, it tastes delicious!

    Reply

  3. I’m excited to try this recipe. I have a question about the cinnamon chips, I have never seen them in store and the Amazon.ca link has them at $42 for a bag! Can you recommend any stores that may carry them for a more reasonable price?

    Reply

    1. I have unfortunately not seen them in-store yet. If you can’t find them I suggest swapping them out for caramel sea salt chipits or butterscotch. Still yummy!

      Reply

      1. I’m excited for you too! You can replace the shortening with more butter! Can’t wait to hear what you think.

        Reply

  4. This cake was amazing! I did make some minor modifications to make it vegan and a 2 tier, but it was still absolutely amazing!!

    Reply

  5. Hi there – I was looking to make this in a 9inch pan/ two tiers.

    Do you think that could work if I make 2/3 of the recipe and then split in two? Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Yes. You could also make the full recipe and divide it between two pans just note that the baking time will increase.

      Reply

  6. I made this but replaced the non dairy with dairy & it was amazing! Also used a caramel drip and ?? The cake was so soft and delicious! Tastes just like a cinnamon bun

    Reply

  7. I LOVED it. This was a big hit at my husband’s birthday party. I was skeptical as some things in the recipe were unlike most cakes I make, but every elements was delicious and absolutely hit the nail on the head with the cinnamon spread taste. I did use dairy products that included lactose and skipped the drizzle on the outside (but will definitely try this next time!).

    Reply

  8. Can this be made ahead of time and frozen till needed? It sounds perfect for my cinnamon-bun-obsessed granddaughter’s birthday

    Reply

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