Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake brings all the warm, gooey flavors of classic cinnamon rolls into an easy, sliceable cake. Because Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake is the primary keyword, it appears naturally throughout the article. This soft, cinnamon-swirled dessert delivers rich comfort in every bite and requires far less effort than traditional cinnamon rolls, making it a favorite for holidays, potlucks, and Sunday breakfast.
My first taste of Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake came from a handwritten recipe card tucked inside a family cookbook. The aroma filled the kitchen before the cake even finished baking—sweet vanilla, warm cinnamon, and buttery notes drifting through the house. The moment I cut into it, the swirling layers reminded me of mornings spent at my grandmother’s table. Even now, baking this cake brings back those cozy memories and always earns compliments from anyone who tries a piece.
Building the Cake Base for Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake
Creaming the Sugar and Shortening
The foundation of Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake begins with creaming sugar and shortening. This step creates a fluffy, aerated base that helps the cake rise evenly. Mixing until the sugar blends completely ensures a light texture. Adding eggs one at a time keeps the batter smooth. When the mixture turns pale yellow and slightly frothy, it’s ready for the next ingredients.
Incorporating Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
Buttermilk adds moisture and a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon filling. Stirring in vanilla enhances the cake’s warm flavor. Sifting the flour, baking powder, and salt removes lumps and ensures even mixing. Once combined, the batter becomes thick and silky, making it easy to layer inside the baking dish. Because these steps support even baking, the final cake turns out tender and soft.
Creating the Cinnamon Filling
Mixing the Sugar and Cinnamon
The filling in Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake is simple yet powerful. Brown sugar adds caramel richness, while cinnamon brings warmth and depth. Mixing these together distributes the spice evenly so each piece of cake contains swirls of bold flavor. Because the filling sits between two layers of batter, it melts slightly while baking, creating streaks of gooey cinnamon throughout the cake.
Swirling the Filling
After adding half the batter to the pan, sprinkling the filling over it creates a perfectly sweet middle layer. Adding the rest of the batter on top seals everything in. Running a knife gently through the layers creates swirls without fully mixing the filling into the cake. These swirls mimic traditional cinnamon roll spirals and make Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake visually beautiful as well as tasty.
Baking and Finishing the Cake
Baking for the Right Texture
At 350°F, Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake bakes in about 30 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean from the center when it’s done. Because the batter is rich and dense, proper baking keeps the texture moist while still allowing the layers to hold together. Allowing the cake to rest briefly after removing it from the oven helps it maintain structure before adding the icing.
Adding the Warm Icing
The icing is cooked on low heat until smooth. Pouring warm icing over a warm cake allows it to sink into the holes poked throughout the surface. This step ensures every bite carries sweet, buttery flavor. The icing settles into the swirls, making the cake taste like a hybrid of cinnamon rolls and warm cake. Letting it cool for at least 20 minutes helps the icing set slightly while still keeping the cake tender.
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing Bowl
- electric mixer
- Saucepan
- butter knife
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup shortening
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 0.25 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cream together sugar and shortening in a mixing bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time and mix until pale yellow and frothy.
- Stir in buttermilk and vanilla extract.
- Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
- Pour half of the batter into the pan.
- Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle over the batter.
- Spread remaining batter on top. Swirl with a knife without fully mixing.
- Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Heat icing ingredients in a saucepan over low heat until smooth.
- Poke holes in the warm cake and pour warm icing over it.
- Let cool 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving and Storing Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake
Serving Suggestions
This cake tastes amazing warm but can also be enjoyed at room temperature. It pairs perfectly with hot coffee, warm chai, or cold milk. Adding a drizzle of extra icing on individual slices enhances the sweetness. For a special touch, lightly dusting cinnamon on top creates extra visual appeal and highlights the warm spice inside the cake.
Storage Tips
Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake keeps well for several days when stored in an airtight container. Because the icing sinks into the cake, it stays moist longer than many other cakes. You can warm slices in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven flavor. This makes it ideal for breakfast meal prep or dessert throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use butter instead of shortening?
Yes. Butter gives the cake a richer flavor, while shortening creates a lighter crumb.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Absolutely. Pecans or walnuts work well in the filling.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Bake it the day before and warm it slightly before serving.
Why poke holes in the cake?
It allows the warm icing to absorb into the cake, boosting moisture and flavor.
Can I double the icing?
Yes. More icing creates an even richer, bakery-style finish.
Conclusion
Big Mama’s Cinnamon Roll Cake offers everything you love about cinnamon rolls without the extra steps of kneading or rolling. Its fluffy batter, sweet cinnamon filling, and warm icing create a nostalgic and comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether served at breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this cake brings sweet joy to every table.
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