Easy Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

A classic buttery breakfast cake gets an update with this Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake! All the irresistible flavors of cinnamon rolls are packed into an easy cake made with sour cream for added moisture. Enjoy a swirl of rich brown sugar and cinnamon inside the cake and a layer sprinkled on top and then drizzled with a tangy cream cheese glaze for the perfect finish!

Here at The Sweet Occasion, we love fluffy cinnamon rolls for breakfast. But when you’re in a time crunch, like I constantly am, and still crave that classic flavor, Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is a go-to. It’s made in a 9x13-inch pan to serve a crowd (or freeze the leftovers for another time).

This cake uses sour cream for an extra moist and flavorful breakfast treat. It has a swirl of a rich brown sugar and cinnamon flavored mixture baked inside.  Like my strawberry rolls and pineapple cinnamon buns, this coffee cake is finished with a luscious cream cheese topping.

Let me show you how to make this simple (but very flavorful!) breakfast cake.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy prep with cinnamon roll flavors. One bite into this coffee cake, and you’ll taste the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls. All you need is 15 minutes of prep!
• Basic pantry ingredients. You will most likely have everything to make this easy coffee cake recipe. Flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla (all standard baking ingredients). You’ll also need sour cream but, if you prefer, you can always swap it with yogurt.
• One mixture two ways. Saves time with one brown sugar-cinnamon mixture used for both the filling and topping.

Ingredients You'll Need

Filling and Cake Ingredients

• All-purpose flour. Gives the right amount of tenderness to the coffee cake (not too dense and not too cakey)
• Baking powder and baking soda. Leavening agents allow the cake to rise and have a fluffy texture.
• Salt. Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients in the cake.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt that goes into the batter. It’s important to use softened butter. It should be slightly firm to the touch and not greasy, yet leave the impression of your finger when you press into it.
• Granulated sugar. Adds sweetness to the cake. When the sugar and butter cream combine, air is incorporated into the batter, creating the perfect light and tender cake.
• Eggs. Adds richness and contributes to the rise of the cake.
• Vanilla. Pure vanilla extract is worth the splurge for the best flavor.
• Sour cream. Adds moisture and richness to the cake. The acidity in sour cream helps create a softer and more tender cake. It also activates the baking soda. Ensure your sour cream is at room temperature so it mixes with the other ingredients into a smooth batter.
• Brown sugar. Creates a slightly caramelized sweet filling and topping.
• Cinnamon. The key ingredient for creating a traditional cinnamon roll flavored filling.

Cream Cheese Glaze Ingredients

• Cream cheese. Use block cream cheese. Its dense, firm texture is perfect for making frostings and glazes. Bring your cream cheese to room temperature for a smooth and creamy topping.
• Butter. You’ll only need 1 tablespoon for added richness.
• Powdered Sugar. Adds sweetness to the cream cheese glaze. The fine texture creates a smooth and creamy frosting consistency.
• Heavy cream. Thins out the glaze to a pourable consistency. Add more or less depending on your desired consistency.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

• Greek yogurt. Switch it out for the sour cream. It’ll still add moisture and richness to the cake without affecting the texture.
• Milk. Substitute your milk of choice for heavy cream.

Helpful Tools for Making Homemade Coffee Cake

• Digital kitchen scale or measuring cups. Using a scale will give you exact measurements for consistent results.
• Measuring spoons.
• Mixer. You’ll need a mixer for the cake batter and glaze (a handheld or stand mixer will work!).
• 9x13-inch baking pan. I recommend using an aluminum pan (not a dark coated one). If you use a glass or ceramic pan, the heat will take longer to transfer to your cake (add 5-8 minutes to the baking time). 
• Mixing bowl. You’ll need a small one for combining the filling ingredients, a medium one to whisk the dry ingredients and mix the glaze, and a large bowl for the batter.
• Whisk. Used to whisk the dry ingredients.
• Rubber spatula.
• Small offset spatula. Makes it easy to spread the batter into an even layer.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Before you begin: Bring the butter, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature and read the recipe from start to finish. Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper on the bottom then grease and lightly flour the sides.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

How to Make Cream Cheese Glaze

Note: Typically, I fill a disposable pastry bag with the cream cheese glaze, snip off the tip, and drizzle it over the coffee cake. But you can also use a spoon to drizzle the glaze or a small offset spatula to spread it over the top.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

As a trained pastry chef, I use these tips to bake the perfect cinnamon roll coffee cake every time.

• Weigh your ingredients. Using a scale takes the guesswork out of measuring and gives consistent results.
• Use room temperature ingredients. Bring all your ingredients (yes, the eggs too!) to room temperature. Doing this will allow your ingredients to mix evenly and smoothly.
• Expect a thick cake batter. Your batter should be thick! You’ll need an offset spatula or knife to spread it in the pan.
• Glaze the cake while warm. Typically, you’ll see me be strict about only frosting cakes and cupcakes once they are completely cooled. But here’s the exception. Glaze this cinnamon roll coffee cake while still warm so the cream cheese mixture will ooze over the top.

Recipe Variations & Different Pan Sizes

• Swirl the filling. Using a knife, swirl the cinnamon sugar filling and topping into the batter for a fun presentation.
• Fall flavors. Do you love fall-flavored desserts like apple pie? Add ground nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to the brown sugar for a warm, cozy, spiced filling.
• Bake in two 8-inch round cake pans. Divide the batter between two 8-inch round cake pans and bake at 350°F/177°C for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Bake in a 12-cup bundt pan. No need to change the baking time or temperature.

Storage & Freezing Tips

• Leftover cake. Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Make ahead. Keep the completely cooled cake in the pan and tightly wrap it with aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature overnight. Pour the glaze over the cake just before serving.

Note: You can prepare the cream cheese glaze up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Set at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften before pouring over the coffee cake. Add additional cream or milk to thin to desired consistency.

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

• Baked Banana Donuts
• Sweet Potato Coffee Cake
• Sour Cream Banana Muffins
• Blueberry Muffins

Get all of my breakfast recipes here!

I hope you love this Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake as much as we do and that it becomes a family favorite! Please leave a comment below, I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!

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