The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake (Rich, Gooey & Dense!)
Lately, recipes for cinnamon roll cakes and honey bun cakes have been everywhere. I knew I had to give them a try, so I tested two different versions—one made completely from scratch and one using a quick cake mix shortcut.
While both were tasty, they missed a key element I always crave in a great cinnamon roll: that rich, dense, gooey center.
Standard cake mixes produce a light and fluffy crumb, but I wanted a bake that truly replicated the satisfying texture of a fresh bakery roll. So, I set out to create my own version—and this Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake was born!
The Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake (Rich, Gooey & Dense!)
Ingredients
cake:
- 1/4 C butter
- 3/4 C sugar
- 3/4 C sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/2 C flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
filling:
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1/2 C butter very soft
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
icing:
- 1 Tbsp. butter
- 1 C powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1-2 Tbsp. milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-inch Springform Pan.
- Cream together the butter and sugar until light & fluffy.
- Add the sour cream, eggs and vanilla; stir until combined.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt.
- Pour into prepared pan and set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon.
- Spoon this onto the batter and swirl it all through it (I used a butter knife).
- Bake for 40-45 minutes; until golden brown.
- Melt the butter in the microwave then add the vanilla.
- Slowly stir in powdered sugar (it will be crumbly).
- Add the milk a little at a time until you get a creamy consistency.
- Drizzle all over the cake while it’s still warm.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Step by step photo instructions:
. 
Slowly stir in powdered sugar (it will be crumbly).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
That Perfect “Gooey Center” Texture: Formulated to be slightly denser than a traditional sponge, giving you that rich, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll bite.
-
Warm Spice Flavor: Packed with plenty of cinnamon sugar goodness swirled throughout the cake.
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The Perfect Icing: Finished with a sweet, drizzled icing that soaks into the top layer just right.
Baker’s Note on Texture
Because this cake leans denser and richer than a standard fluffy birthday cake, it crosses into true coffee cake territory—making it ideal for pairing with a hot mug of coffee or tea for breakfast, brunch, or a late-night treat.
If you love the sweet, spiced flavor of cinnamon rolls but want a cake that doesn’t skimp on rich texture, this recipe is for you!
5
Looks amazing. Would I be able to use a bread pan or even a glass pan? I don't have a spring pan.
A glass pan would work well too!
It's soooo yummi!!!!
Looks delicious…and I agree about the gooey center!
Hi Lisa!
Thank you so much for submitting this recipe, it looks so yummy!
You can see the post here: http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2012/12/cinnamon-roll-coffee-cake-dessert.html.
Have a great day!
Marti
You've taken my 2 favorite breakfast treats and rolled them into one! So excited to try this, pinned!
Mmm what a wonderful looking cake! I just love cinnamon rolls, there's something so comforting and reassuring about that taste!
That looks so so good! I love cinnamon rolls and coffee cake!!
This looks yummy! I love cinnamon rolls, and this is a great blend of that and a pound cake. Stopping by from Sweet For Saturday.
This looks delicious!! I'm not a huge bread eater, but when you wrote about gooey center… let's just say I'll be copying this recipe. I've been wanting to have a family brunch event in my home and this will be perfect.
Thanks for posting!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
For some reason the print friendly did not work for me and when I tried to print this recipe it printed the entire post. Wasted a lot of ink in the printer for sure, so beware.
Hi Mary, whenever you click the print friendly button another window will open up. Up on the top there is a box where you can "check" that will remove the images from being printed, then you won't use so much ink. I hope this helps 🙂
Gonna have to pin this one as well. Girl, if I lived in your house I wouldn't be able to control myself. Thanks for linking up to Toot Your Horn Tuesday.
I'm going to have to try this! I'm a sucker for sweet breakfast foods. Thanks for the recipe!
Cinnamon roll cake?!?! There is hope for this world. Thanks for sharing a Tea Party Tuesday.
Your cinnamon roll cake looks delicious! yum a nice cuppa and a slice or two sounds just about perfect 🙂
Yum, thanks. I think my husband would love this!
This looks simply amazing! My mouth is watering 🙂
Oh my! As if brown sugar, cinnamon and butter weren't enough to make my mouth water, the sour cream clinched the deal. If it wasn't the middle of the night, I'd be in the kitchen making this cake right now.
Looking very good. I could go for a slice of that andi
What a wonderful goodie! Yum! If you would, consider sharing with my readers at http://sassafrassalvation.blogspot.com/2012/03/sasss-sunday-salvation-show-15.html
Thanks!
that looks soooo good! I am def. going to be making this!
Seriously my mouth is watering. Wow. Can't wait to try it for myself!
Stopping by from the Just Something I Whipped Up Hop! http://queenofsavings.com
Lisa – this looks heavenly. I would just love every bite…I hear it calling my name. Wish we lived closer so 'we' could share…and just so we lived closer. =)
This looks yummy! Paired with a nice cup of coffee and a few favourite girlfriends = heavenly! Thanks for sharing 🙂
http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.com
YUM! Going to try this out for Easter breakfast.
This looks so good! I RT on Twitter!! =)
Wow that looks amazing. I could eat that all day long!
What a great twist on the breakfast roll! Looks divine 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Tropical Caramelised Baked German Pancake
This is one of my ever favorite cakes!
Yours looks amazing – just as I like it
Looks amazing…I just pinned it!