Cinnamon Swirl Cake is like a cinnamon roll in cake form. Sweet cinnamon crumble swirled through a white cake and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. To die for!
Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Cinnamon Swirl Cake is the perfect dessert when you’re craving cinnamon rolls but just don’t have the time or patience for all that raising and waiting and baking. You know what I mean, right? Cinnamon rolls are WORK. But this moist, flavorful cake is just the opposite. Simple to make, super cinnamon flavor and done in a snap! I got this recipe from my friend Lesa years ago when we were in college and have been making it ever since. 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. It’s a real favorite, and it will be for you too!
What Makes that Cinnamon Streusel Crumb Topping?
The star of this show, aside from the fluffy cream cheese frosting, which we will get to, is the crumbly, buttery streusel-like mixture that is swirled throughout the cake. The secret? Graham crackers! Combining crushed graham crackers with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter gives the mixture a crunchy texture that will knock your socks off! It doesn’t even taste like graham crackers, but provides a texture that can’t be beat. I like to swirl it all through the white cake, but save some to crumble over the top of the frosting.
Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
Perhaps my very favorite part of cinnamon rolls is the luscious, dreamy and creamy icing that goes on top. Here are a few tips to making the very best frosting:
- Make sure your cream cheese and butter is at room temperature.
- Whip the cream cheese and butter together for a few minutes to make it light and fluffy before adding any other ingredients.
- Slowly add powdered sugar, a little at a time, mixing constantly.
- If it’s too thick, add about a teaspoon of milk at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- I like to add the vanilla at the end, then beat on high for about three to five minutes or until it’s nice and fluffy.
- Spread on top of the cooled cake, and add a little bit of the crumble mixture on top if you like.
More Scrumptious Cake Recipes
If you love cake you are in the right place! Check out some of our favorite cake recipes that make the perfect dessert for any occasion.
- Strawberries and Cream Cake– Strawberries and Cream Cake is a great summer dessert, loaded with fresh strawberries in both the cake and frosting! Perfect for a family get together.
- Better Than “You Know What” Cake – Turn a basic chocolate cake mix into a decadent chocolate desert with a sweet caramel filling and topped with toffee bar pieces.
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Nothing Bundt Cake Copycat– Our copycat version of Nothing Bundt Cake’s Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake is a MUST TRY! It is one of our most popular recipes for a good reason.
- Carnival Cruise Warm Melting Cake– Have you tried the Carnival Cruise Line Warm Chocolate Melting Cake? If you’ve been on a Carnival Cruise, you know how amazing it is. If not, you can indulge in this decadent chocolate melting cake at home.
- Flourless Chocolate Cake– This Flourless Chocolate Cake is by far the easiest version I have ever made and it tastes just as good as more difficult recipes. It is light and decadent and has a rich chocolate flavor. And spread over the top is a silky smooth chocolate ganache.
- Chocolate Pudding Cake– This Chocolate Pudding Cake is probably the easiest chocolate cake recipe out there. There are only 4 ingredients!
- Orange Pineapple Cake– Orange Pineapple cake is a light, fruity cake with an island flair. You will love the delicious whipped creamy topping! Perfect for potlucks and parties!
- Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Frosting– This Coconut Cream Cake is a coconut lovers dream! It is a coconut infused cake, with a rich and creamy coconut cream cheese frosting, sprinkled with even more toasted coconut.
How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box 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
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 c. butter softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. powdered sugar
Instructions
- 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!
Equipment
- 9x13 inch pan
Notes
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Rachel says
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.
Emily says
I haven’t tried that, let us know how it turns out!
Claire says
I choose this over cinnamon buns any day!
Jeanne Gliddon says
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!
Jeanne Gliddon says
Sorry, I am just learning how to use Pinterest so I ended up posting two comments.
Debra says
I got rave reviews when I made this cake and requests to “please make that cinnamon cake you made before.”
Amanda says
How long do you bake it for?
Echo says
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!
Adri says
Do you have to include graham cracker crumbs? Or will it be fine if I left it out?
Emily says
You can leave them out.
Lise says
Thank you for this recipe! My question, how do you stop eating this cake???? It is sooooo delicious. 🙂
Erica says
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!
Isabella says
The recipe worked so good my children always ask me to make it over the holidays!
Echo says
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!
Guylaine says
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.
Erica says
😀 Thank you so much! We are thrilled to make your Top 10 list! Woohoo!!!
cat says
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
Erica says
I’m I am not sure what you mean? How are you not getting the recipes?
Leah Kirkreit says
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!
Erica says
Oh man, the crumble is the best part (in my humble opinion). Hope you (and your husband) liked it!
Kat says
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.
Erica says
Great ideas– glad to hear the low-cal, low-sugar version is delicious too! Thanks!
Bonnie Mitchell says
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.
Favorite Family Recipes says
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 🙂
jackie cobb says
do you mean one to one and a half lbs of powered sugar?
Favorite Family Recipes says
yes 🙂
Jaleel says
Is there anyway i can trade out the sugar when making the frosting with brown sugar perhaps?
Favorite Family Recipes says
We haven’t done it that way but you can try it! Let us know how it turns out for you if you try it!
Alexandria says
All of my brown sugar sunk to the bottom! ;( is there a way to stop that from happening? Besides that loved the cake!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Thank you for the 5 stars! This is a delicious cake. I haven’t had the problem of the brown sugar sinking to the bottom. I have always used light brown sugar in this recipe, could that be the difference? I also don’t put large clumps of the brown sugar mixture on the cake. I disperse it evenly in smaller spoonfuls over the cake and then gently swirl the knife through. I hope this helps!
Justine Mascaro says
I stumbled across your website is there any way you guys have a cookbook for anyone to request of 1 I am hoping so because that would be wonderful
thanks
Emily Walker says
We actually have 2 cookbooks! Here is the link to our cookbook store page: https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/cookbook/
Louise says
I made this cake and I was a little disappointed. I found it to be dry; however, I may have cooked it too long.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Oh shoot! Overcooking can cause dryness. I am sorry this didn’t turn out for you!