Description
This Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake is a decadent dessert that combines a soft and tender butter cake base with a luscious, cinnamon-spiced cream cheese topping. Inspired by the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls, this cake delivers a rich, gooey texture with a perfectly golden crust and a velvety cinnamon cream cheese layer. Ideal for celebrating special occasions or indulging in a comforting treat, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to perfection in just under 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Butter Cake
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour, spoon and leveled
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (60mL) milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Gooey Cinnamon Cream Cheese Topping
- 6 ounces (170g) cream cheese block, at room temperature
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 cups (260g) powdered sugar, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with butter or oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make the butter cake mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Add the cubed butter and cut it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture becomes very fine and crumbly. Create a well in the center.
- Add wet ingredients to the cake base: Into the well, add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Starting from the center and moving outward, whisk everything together until fully combined, with no streaks visible. The batter will be thick and firm.
- Spread cake batter: Pour the thick butter cake batter evenly into the prepared springform pan and gently spread it out into an even layer. Set aside while preparing the topping.
- Prepare the gooey cream cheese topping: In a separate large bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar together using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Finish the topping batter: Add cinnamon, cornstarch, and the egg to the cream cheese mixture. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and has a slightly liquid consistency.
- Assemble the cake: Pour the cream cheese topping evenly over the butter cake batter in the pan. Tilt the pan gently from side to side if needed to ensure an even layer of the topping.
- Bake the cake: Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and puffed, but the center remains slightly jiggly. Avoid overbaking to retain the gooey texture.
- Cool and release: Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature in the pan. The center will sink slightly as it cools. Run a thin knife along the inner edges of the pan to loosen the cake, then unlatch and remove the springform pan sides.
- Serve and store: Enjoy the cake at room temperature for a gooey topping or chill in the refrigerator if you prefer a firmer set. Store any leftovers refrigerated if not eaten within 4 hours. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Use a 9-inch springform pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal and neat edges; alternatively, a regular round cake pan can be used but line and grease thoroughly.
- Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature to blend smoothly without lumps.
- The cake is best stored in the fridge if not consumed soon, as the cream cheese topping can soften at room temperature after several hours.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase the cinnamon in the topping to 1 ½ tablespoons.
- If you want to make the topping thicker, ensure you measure your powdered sugar carefully and fully incorporate it.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
