With a taste like buttery cinnamon rolls and a topping that has the right crunch of cinnamon toast, this Cinnamon Toast Cake is an superior shock. I’ve had this cake for breakfast, a day snack, and a late evening dessert. And, I can let you know, it’s a success at any time of day.

With only a few components that you simply seemingly have already got in your pantry, this easy unassuming wanting cake has been certainly one of my favourite desserts for a really very very long time. I like this cake a lot that we additionally make it in as cinnamon toast bars for feeding a crowd. And, it was just about a completed deal that I’d be making a Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream, too. Your lady has a kind, okay?
Cinnamon Toast Cake


I made this cake for the primary time after I was a little bit lady. The title simply leapt proper off of certainly one of my mother’s yellowed 3×5 playing cards, and I knew I needed to attempt it. It was love at first chunk. The tender crumb, with a heat, crunchy cinnamon toast topping is positively divine.
I’ve been making this cake for extra years now than I ought to in all probability even admit, since I began making it after I was about 10 years previous.
So, when it got here time to select desserts for my first cookbook? It was a foregone conclusion that I simply needed to embody it in The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook. I fell in love with it over again.
This cinnamon toast cake by no means fails to impress our company, whether or not I serve it with a scoop of ice cream after dinner, or a sizzling mug of espresso for breakfast. One chunk is all it takes. Strive it, and also you’ll see why so lots of my fellow bloggers have shared the recipe. It’s simply that good.
Thanks, Mother!


Components and Substitutions
Flour — This recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Verify the guidelines part for those who want a gluten free adaptation.
Cinnamon and Sugar — These are the quintessential features of cinnamon toast, and this cake nails the steadiness. I take advantage of floor cinnamon from my spice cupboard and I virtually all the time purchase ours at Costco. Nonetheless you’ll be able to be happy to be as fancy as you want with yours.
Vanilla — Do you ever discover how just about all baked items embody vanilla extract? We embody it as a result of it provides heat notes, and helps to spotlight flavors within the different components. So, no, this isn’t a vanilla cake. However, don’t skip this ingredient.
Dairy — I all the time use entire milk and unsalted butter after I’m baking. For a dairy-free model, verify the FAQ.
Baking Powder — You need to use baking powder by itself. However, do you know that baking soda wants baking powder to completely activate? My eldest son as soon as made this cake with baking soda as a substitute of baking powder. My boys referred to as the outcome “a cinnamon toast brick.” So, don’t do this.
Salt — I take advantage of kosher salt on a regular basis in my kitchen, except in any other case famous


Notes on Gear
- Giant mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Small bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Sq. cake pan – A baking pan with a lid is sort of a costume with pockets. It’s simply higher! It makes it simple to carry this cinnamon toast cake on the go to a potluck or when visiting mates.


How you can Make Cinnamon Toast Cake
Preheating the Oven: Let’s get issues began by preheating the oven to 350°F.
Greasing the Pan: You’re going to want to grease a sq. cake pan. I take advantage of a ten×10 for this recipe. And, I’ve lastly simply accepted that I actually don’t like having to clean butter off of my palms. So, I take advantage of disposable gloves for this step. Price each penny.
Whisking the Dry: I measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a big mixing bowl and provides it a fast whisk.
Stirring within the Relaxation: Two tablespoons of butter go into the microwave to soften. Reserve the remaining for the topping. Add the melted butter, the milk, and the vanilla into the blending bowl, and whisk to mix.
Baking: When you’ve poured the batter into the greased pan, simply set it into the oven and neglect it for 25 minutes. Okay, properly, don’t really neglect it. I take advantage of these kitchen timers for that. This recipe for cinnamon toast cake is fairly forgiving, however not THAT forgiving.


Getting ready the Topping: Whereas the cake is baking, it would be best to whisk collectively the topping in a mixing bowl. It’s simply cinnamon, sugar, and a stick of melted butter.
Pouring the Topping: After the 25 minutes are up (and also you’ll know, since you undoubtedly didn’t neglect to set a timer!), pull the baking pan from the oven. Then, I gently pour the topping over the cake.
Remaining Spherical of Baking: You’ll return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or so, till the cinnamon layer is effervescent. Let it cool, then serve!


Professional Tip
That is an eggless cake. And, meaning it will get its rise and construction from the leavening agent (baking powder) and the air that you simply entice within the batter. So, you’re going to wish to beat the cream and sugar properly. However, no matter you do, don’t over whisk the batter, otherwise you’ll overdevelop the gluten and also you’ll find yourself with a dense cake. You wish to cease whisking as quickly as it’s absolutely included, and there aren’t any extra streaks of flour within the batter.
Pour Some Sugar – If you’re pouring the topping over the new cake, ensure to drizzle the perimeters and corners first, after which go frivolously throughout the center. If you happen to simply pour it out within the center, generally it might probably make your cake fall barely. Nonetheless scrumptious. However, not as fairly.
Soften, Then Cool – If you soften the butter to combine into the cake, ensure to let it quiet down after heating. That is additionally only a good rule of thumb, as including scalding butter to your batter can upset a few of the different components.
Be Cool, Hunny Bunny – If you happen to plan to serve the cake instantly after baking, it’s particularly necessary to attend 5-10 minutes earlier than serving. The cinnamon topping will set because it cools. Slicing prematurely could make it run.
Gluten-Free Possibility – I spent years growing gluten-free recipes when certainly one of my kids developed a sensitivity to gluten. (Fortunately, he’s outgrown that sensitivity.) And, one of the best substitute for this recipe is 1¼ cup brown rice flour, ½ cup tapioca starch, and ¼ cup potato starch. However, you’ll be able to swap for a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix that you simply belief.


Serving Ideas
This cake goes pairs splendidly with so many various choices. For a summer time potluck, simply add contemporary fruit, like this watermelon fruit salad or my rainbow fruit salad. The cinnamon crust with chilly, juicy fruit is a mixture you’ll love.
And, if I’m blessed to be consuming this for breakfast or brunch? All I would like is a mug of my cafe con leche with a heat sq. of cake on the facet. That’s the transfer.


Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: Sure, this cake will be made the day earlier than you want it. It retains very properly in a single day.
How you can Retailer: This cake will be saved in an hermetic container on the counter or within the fridge for a number of days. And, for those who wrap the servings individually and retailer them in a freezer bag, they will go be frozen for 2 months, no downside.
Extra Straightforward Cake Recipes


Incessantly Requested Questions
You need to use no matter 1:1 GF flour you favor. However, I’ve my very own tried and true GF flour mix listed within the knowledgeable suggestions part that works fantastically for this cake.
Definitely. I’ve discovered that almond milk and vegan butter or coconut oil work properly as substitutes with this cake. However, I desire coconut oil, as I dislike the style the vegan butter.
You might break up the batter into two loaf pans, for those who wished. However, the total recipe is an excessive amount of batter for the standard loaf. It’ll overflow and you then’ll be scraping blackened cake batter off the underside of your oven. Ask me how I do know.
* Gluten-Free Different
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a ten” sq. pan (8″ or 9″ works as properly). Whisk collectively the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir within the milk, vanilla, and butter. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25 minutes (add 2 minutes for an 8″ pan).
-
Whereas the cake is baking, mix the topping components and whisk collectively. Take away the cake from the oven when the timer goes off and pour the topping throughout the cake.
-
Bake the cake for a further 10 minutes till the cinnamon layer is effervescent. Let cool earlier than serving.
Energy: 362 kcal | Carbohydrates: 57 g | Protein: 4 g | Fats: 14 g | Saturated Fats: 9 g | Trans Fats: 1 g | Ldl cholesterol: 37 mg | Sodium: 384 mg | Potassium: 162 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 35 g | Vitamin A: 438 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 81 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Diet data is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
{Recipe initially revealed 10/22/2011 – photographs and recipe card up to date 4/23/2026}










