Glazed Cinnamon Roll Snack Cake

Overhead photo of a glazed cinnamon cake in a square baking dish

5 from 3 votes

This Glazed Cinnamon Roll Snack Cake is a cross between a cake and a blondie. It's jam-packed with cozy, warm cinnamon flavor and it's something special for breakfast with your morning tea or coffee or as a dessert topped with vanilla ice cream!

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cinnamon, snack cake, vanilla glaze

Servings: servings

Calories: 496kcal

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Cinnamon Bun Swirl Ingredients

1/4 cup (4 Tbsp.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 Tbsp. milk

Instructions

Cinnamon Roll Snack Cake

Place a rack in the center of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer to low and add the eggs, one at a time until well combined. Add the vanilla and continue to mix until incorporated. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
Add the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Dollop the cinnamon bun swirl mixture by the spoonful on top of the batter in the prepared pan (see photo above) . Use a knife or offset spatula to swirl the mixture. (see photo above)
Bake until the edges are set and the top is lightly browned, about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Remove from the oven to a wire rack. Let cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with the glaze. Let bars cool before cutting into squares.

Cinnamon Bun Swirl Ingredients

In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside.

Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and two tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add additional tablespoon of milk, if needed.

Notes

When you add the swirl mixture to the top of the batter, just dollop a few spoonfuls of the mixture over the top of the batter and then use a knife to somewhat swirl. It doesn't have to look pretty. It's going to bake into the other batter and taste heavenly.

For the glaze, start with two tablespoons of milk. Add the third tablespoon if the mixture is too thick. I used three tablespoons.

I love to serve my cake warm topped with vanilla ice cream for dessert or a slice warmed with my morning coffee.

Nutrition