This Cinnamon Swirl Cake is one of my favorite desserts because it’s quick, easy and so yummy! It’s like a cinnamon roll in a cake, end everyone loves it!
I got this Cinnamon Swirl Cake recipe from my friend Lesa almost 20 years ago when we were in college and have been making it ever since. Definitely one of my favorite desserts because it’s quick, easy and so yummy! Like a cinnamon roll in a cake! You can’t lose! Every time I make this for a crowd I have people begging for this recipe. I was pretty much swatting my kids away with a stick just so I could take the picture. Not even kidding, within 2 minutes of this picture being taken this cake was inhaled…. by me.
The frosting on top is to die for, not to mention the delicious cinnamon crumble on top and throughout. This is perfect for those lazy days when you want a cinnamon roll but don’t want to have to wait around waiting for them to rise. This is also much better for groups because it is SO easy to make and you can portion out the pieces more easily. You have GOT to give this cake a try– especially if you love cinnamon rolls. You will be in heaven!
- 1 white cake mix prepared as directed on box
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 c. butter melted
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1 pkg. 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 c. butter softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare white cake mix according to package directions.
- In separate bowl, combine cinnamon, graham cracker crumbs, butter and brown sugar. Stir until combined and crumbly.
- Pour half of the cake batter into pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture over batter, then run a knife through it to swirl. Repeat using remaining cake batter and cinnamon mixture.
- Bake according to cake package directions.
- Frosting: Beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency.
- Spread over cooled cake.
- Optional garnish: Reserve a little cinnamon mixture to sprinkle over cake. I usually don't do this, I like it all INSIDE the cake, but since it's that way in the picture I thought I better mention it!
- **I love to serve this cake while still slightly warm!
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out more of our recipes like it!
- Lion House Cinnamon Rolls: The actual recipe from the Lion House Pantry in Salt Lake City.
- Peaches and Cream Cinnamon Rolls: Cinnamon rolls with a summer-y twist! If you like peaches and cream, you are going to LOVE these cinnamon rolls!
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Everything you love about Fall rolled up into a delicious cinnamon roll and slathered with a delicious caramel frosting.
- Devin’s Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls: Baking for a crowd? Looking for a dessert for camping? Save the mess in your kitchen and try our brother’s famous Dutch oven cinnamon rolls!
Do you know if this can be made in a crock pot? I make a cinnamon swirl cake in the crock that is wonderful. May have to try this one.
I haven’t tried that, let us know how it turns out!
I choose this over cinnamon buns any day!
When I make this recipe I will increase the topping to sprinkle on top but I will also add some walnuts to it. Yummy, sounds so good!
Sorry, I am just learning how to use Pinterest so I ended up posting two comments.
I got rave reviews when I made this cake and requests to “please make that cinnamon cake you made before.”
How long do you bake it for?
You bake it for whatever time is listed on the cake mix box, which is usually 30-35 minutes for a 9×13 cake. I always set my timer 5-10 minutes less than the recommended time and use the toothpick trick to test that it is done, if it’s not I continue to check it every few minutes. I don’t like it over baked. It gets dry and doesn’t taste as good. Thank you for your question!
Do you have to include graham cracker crumbs? Or will it be fine if I left it out?
You can leave them out.
Thank you for this recipe! My question, how do you stop eating this cake???? It is sooooo delicious. 🙂
haha this is the best question I have ever answered 😉 Unfortunately I don’t have a good answer haha I have the same problem when I make it!
The recipe worked so good my children always ask me to make it over the holidays!
Thank you for sharing your success! My son requests this cake for his birthday every year. I’m so glad your children like it too!
I saw your cake on Instagram a few days ago I told myself, I have to do it. My God, it’s so delicious. Will be on my top ten cakes list. Thank you for sharing.
😀 Thank you so much! We are thrilled to make your Top 10 list! Woohoo!!!
why are there no way to reach the recipe lately?? nothing will click on!! can you recheck your recipes you have sent from april 24 to may 6th?? 2017
I’m I am not sure what you mean? How are you not getting the recipes?
I just put one of these bad boys in the oven! The cinnamon swirl crumble smelled so good as I mixed it that I momentarily contemplated sneaking off somewhere to eat it by myself and just serving my hubby and son the plain white cake!
Oh man, the crumble is the best part (in my humble opinion). Hope you (and your husband) liked it!
Easy, quick and delicious – adding this to my favorites. I made this using sugar-free yellow cake mix, sugar-free oatmeal cookie crumbs and truvia brown sugar blend. For frosting I mixed sugar-free vanilla canned frosting and low fat cream cheese, the ratio depends on how sweet I want it. I imagine the recipe is even more scrumptious using regular ingredients, but I love that I could adapt it for those that need a very low sugar alternative.
Great ideas– glad to hear the low-cal, low-sugar version is delicious too! Thanks!
Although I enjoy most of your recipes I did not care for this one. The frosting is great, I have made this recipe for years. A box cake is just a box cake. But I do not understand the cracker crumbs. I made this yesterday and will go back to my previous recipe. Just did not care for it at all. Cracker crumbs with cinnamon and sugar looked pretty but tasted flat. Such a disappointment.
Hi Bonnie– We are so sad to hear you didn’t like this recipe! It is usually a hit with our followers. Was your issue that it tasted like a box mix? The cracker crumbs are supposed to add texture in the cinnamon swirls. Glad you liked the frosting though–IMO that is the best part 🙂
do you mean one to one and a half lbs of powered sugar?
yes 🙂