Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
This Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake is the ultimate comfort food, with a tender crumb and a swirl of cinnamon sugar that’s even better than cinnamon rolls. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect swirl every time. The warm, cozy aroma of cinnamon fills your home as it bakes, and it’s the perfect treat to welcome family and friends during the fall and holiday seasons. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy 4 Ingredient Cheese and Bacon Rolls and Joanna Gaines Brownie Cookies Recipe.
Why This Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake Is Pure Comfort
- The tender crumb melts in your mouth
- The cinnamon sugar swirl is perfectly distributed
- It's a comforting treat that's perfect for fall and holidays
- It's easier to make than cinnamon rolls
What You'll Need for Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- unsalted butter
- eggs
- milk
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- salt
- baking powder
- baking soda
- Optional: powdered sugar
- Optional: whipped cream
📝 Ingredient Notes
- all-purpose flour: Make sure your flour is not packed down in the measuring cup. Spoon it in and level it off for the most accurate measurement.
- brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably in this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer — Makes mixing the batter a breeze → See on Amazon
- Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls — Perfect for mixing and measuring ingredients → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
- Prepare the batter: Cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract, milk, and dry ingredients.
- Prepare the cinnamon sugar swirl: Mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Assemble the cake: Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
- Bake the cake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
- Common mistake and fix: Be careful not to overmix the batter. This can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Pro tip: For an extra moist cake, you can add 1/4 cup of sour cream to the batter.
- Pro tip: To get the perfect swirl, use a knife to gently cut through the batter and cinnamon sugar mixture as you pour the remaining batter into the pan.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: The batter can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.
Freezing Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
This cake does not freeze well due to the moist texture.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: There is no need to reheat this cake. Microwave: Do not reheat in the microwave as it will make the cake soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Make-ahead: This cake can be made ahead of time and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved or doubled depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the cake is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Nordic Ware Bundt Pan — Ensures even baking and a beautiful presentation → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- unsalted butter
- eggs
- milk
- vanilla extract
Seasonings
- ground cinnamon
- salt
- baking powder
- baking soda
Optional Toppings
- powdered sugar
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: Cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract, milk, and dry ingredients.
- Prepare the cinnamon sugar swirl: Mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Assemble the cake: Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
- Bake the cake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Make-ahead: This cake can be made ahead of time and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved or doubled depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the cake is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: This cake does not freeze well due to the moist texture.
- Oven reheat: There is no need to reheat this cake.
- Microwave reheat: Do not reheat in the microwave as it will make the cake soggy.
- Make ahead: The batter can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake FAQs
Yes, you can make the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Bring it to room temperature before baking.
Overmixing the batter can lead to a dry cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
This cake does not freeze well due to the moist texture.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer.
You can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Cinnamon Swirl Cake and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
