A Southern Grace: have your cake...

January 29, 2010

have your cake...

Yum

...and cinnamon roll too.

My name is Grace and I'm addicted to cinnamon.
Cinnamon. Roll. Cake. Can you believe I only made this for the first time a few weeks ago? There's no excuse for my behavior--it's completely unacceptable. To ignore such a magnificent and effortless creation is a travesty, plain and simple. As punishment, I should be force-fed more cake. That'll teach me.

All right, so it doesn't really taste like a cinnamon roll--there's no bready, yeasty characteristic of which to speak. In fact, upon my first bite, I immediately likened it to the warm cinnamon roll shooters from Chili's. Have you tried them? As far as I can tell, those little cups of heaven consist of layers of streuseled coffee cake and cinnamon-powdered sugar glaze. (Not a bad idea, right? Kudos, Chili's!)

Pocket o' pleasure.
Even though this cake is clearly different from your standard cinnamon roll in texture and flavor, it's similar in that cinnamon is the star (as it should be). When you hit a pocket of that sugary cinnamon streusel while also getting a taste of the cake and glaze, the result is a perfect sweet and spicy bite.

Did I like this? I think it's fairly obvious that the answer is a resounding YES.

Cinnamon Roll Shooters in Cake Form
Cake:
1 box of yellow cake mix
4 eggs
¾ cup oil
1 cup sour cream (I used 1 cup of yogurt + 1 teaspoon of baking soda)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3-4 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 325F and grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
Mix the first four ingredients by hand and pour into the prepared pan.
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the cake batter. Swirl decoratively with a knife.
Bake for 40-50 minutes and let it cool briefly before adding the icing.
To make the icing, stir together the sugar and milk until smooth, adding more milk as needed. Pour over the warm cake.

96 comments:

Pam said...

You KNOW I'll be making this. Bookmarked.

Hungry Dog said...

I love the short ingredient list--and any cake that includes sour cream has got to be a winner. Nice job!

Lucie said...

I see you finally found THE cinnamon roll recipe to replace (or add to!) the yummy-looking ones you've been buying...these look even better, Grace!

Hayley said...

wow.........tempting and inviting..fantastic job done..great space..Grace!!

cheers and visit if you can

http://joyofcooking247.blogspot.com

Mimi said...

Now I have to buy a cake mix.
Mimi

George Gaston said...

Grace, this is an unbelievable easy recipe and the results is outstanding. No excuses here, I am going to make this over the weekend. Many many thanks...

TKW said...

This looks easy enough that even I (gasp!) might be able to do it! Awesome!

Melanie said...

How come I'm not surprised this dessert found it's way on to such a cinnamon lover's blog? I love the idea of a cinnamon roll/cake combo and this is the first time I've seen it...looks moist and delish.

Mini Baker said...

CRAZY!!!! I have this exact recipe! Its a keeper for sure! :)
And the box mix just makes it SO easy!!
Happy Baking
-Mini

lisa is cooking said...

I love the thought of encountering the cinnamon streusel pockets! Sounds like an amazing cake.

Kathleen said...

OMG! My son will love this! I'm bookmarking it right now!

vanillasugarblog said...

I've never been to Chili's but damn, now I want too. cinnamon roll shooters? I could easily get food-drunk on those.

Josie said...

Holy yum. So much for starting a diet this week.

pigpigscorner said...

I love the texture!!

Lucie said...

Hello again! Just wanted to let you know that I have an award for you over on my blog :)

If your blog is award-free or such, no worries--just letting you know it's there and that I can't get enough of your recipes!

-Lucie

Mary said...

Wow that looks delicious! (I love your all-consuming passion for cinnamon!)

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

Oh Grace! Seriously, every post it just gets more sinful. Looks like heaven!

Sharon said...

Thank you for fulfilling my cinnamon dreams! I cannot wait to bake this deliciousness.

kimberleyblue said...

Your love of cinnamon is astounding! :)

That glaze on top looks perfect, as do those little ribbons of cinnamon. I would love a biiig piece of this.

Amy I. said...

I'm always amazed at how versatile a box of yellow cake mix can be. Some of my favorite desserts have started with that as a base. Boxed mixes get a bad rap in my opinion. Re: your cake, can't believe I haven't seen this before! I'm droooooling! I enjoy cinnamon rolls but often find them too dry/bready for my tastes. I think you've officially solved my problem. Happy weekend :)

oneordinaryday said...

Amazing, isn't it? My family LOVED it!

Unknown said...

This is known as Honey Bun cake in my husband's family, and, yes, it is eaten for breakfast as well as dessert:). Especially good for a birthday breakfast!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Mmmmhhh, so tempting!

Cheers,

Rosa

Lyndas recipe box said...

I haven't had the shooters from Chili's, but I've been lucky enough to have this cake, but it's been awhile...tooo long actually! Glad you posted this cinnamony treat.

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

This does look wonderful the 5 of us would love it. I can't wait to make it!
And those treats from chili's never had them. I need to change that too!
Have a great weekend!

Julie said...

Ooh, I've made this! It really is awesome, over the top sweetness but who doesn't like that? YummO!

Unknown said...

Grace, no way this is your first time? It looks really good :) I'm convinced you have a cinnamon cookbook in you! :D

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Grace, no way this is your first time? It looks really good :) I'm convinced you have a cinnamon cookbook in you! :D

Kate at Serendipity said...

You are always full of wonderful ideas with cinnamon. Oh, and sugar. Cakes too.

Thanks!

buy r4i software said...

I like cakes and pastries a lot. And this is exactly what I really want. Great job.

Amy said...

YUM!

♥peachkins♥ said...

cinnamon roll in cake form?? WOW!

kat said...

I have to make this for my dad the next time he comes to visit

Alicia Foodycat said...

I made an apple cake with cinnamon streusel today and thought of you... I think you have the blogosphere cornered for cinnamon.

Anonymous said...

Cinnamon roll cake? How have I missed this? And I wonder if I can get through the snow to go buy a cake mix??? Or would it be wrong to have cake for breakfast?? If it's wrong I don't wanna be right! ;)

George Gaston said...

Grace, I just pull your cake out of my oven and after letting it cool, I poured the icing over it and eat a piece. Oh my god, this is spectacular!

Many many many thanks.....

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful! Now to go get that cake mix. My 15 year old daughter has been the cake mix queen of the house for a few years now and will definitely enjoy making this yummy creation.

Barbara said...

Some of my best recipes are made with Duncan Hines golden cake mix!
I call this recipe Martha's Coffee Cake as she is one who gave me the recipe years ago. I've never put frosting on it though. Not sure I am thanking you for that addition!

Anonymous said...

This recipe totally ROCKS!!! And I have many people to second this. I like to make it with a cream cheese frosting, like the one off the"Clone of a Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls" recipe off of allrecipes.com. SOOOOO GOOOOODDDD!!!!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Cinnamon roll cake...now there's something!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chef Aimee said...

Ooo I love that its a box cake recipe, making it easy to get to such cinnamony goodness!

Kerstin said...

I'm drooling - this looks SOOO good!!!

CC11 said...

oooo looks sinfully delightful :)

shaz said...

Don't know if I can keep visiting your blog Grace - you're always tempting us with these gooey, sugary, cinnamomy confections. There is only so much drool the keyboard can withstand!

Faith said...

Wow, I am in awe! This is the first I've seen this magnificent creation, and I can say that there's just no excuse for my behavior either! I think my punishment should be to go and make it...right now! ;)

Christine said...

LOL, I saw your comment on my blog, lol! Yes, when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, anyway. ;P

This reminds me of a really quick treat I used to make, it was basically a simplified coffee cake but it tasted good.

noble pig said...

Alright, you and I are on a roll (yes pun)...you make cinnamon roll cake and I make cinnamon donut muffins...WE ARE REINVENTING THE WHEEL...no?

eatme_delicious said...

Mmmm the combo of cinnamon, sugar and bready things is irresistible!! This looks amazing.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Guess who has yellow cake mix in her pantry! :) I'm sooooo going to make this delicious sweet concoction.

Robin said...

I have seen this around too and had wondered if it was good. So now that you have given it your stamp of approval I can proceed to make and eat. Thanks for taking one for the team!

Heather said...

Served in a lil cordial glass with a splash of amaretto and it is a whole new kind of cinnamon roll shooter!

Half Baked said...

oh yeah! looks amazing. love the swirls of cinnamon...drool!

Velva said...

Holy cow! This cinnamon delight rocks!

Jacque said...

DEFINITELY will be trying this! What is it about yellow cake mix when mixed with lots of other yummy ingredients?

Deborah said...

Yes, I'll take some please!

Gloria Baker said...

Bookmarked Grace, this look awesome, xx I love it! gloria

~~louise~~ said...

Oh my heavens! This is my kinda recipe! (I made a Sock-It-To-Me-Cake last month with a "boxed" cake mix and you couldn't tell the difference) My morning coffee is feeling might "naked" without your heavenly cinnamon roll to keep it company.

Thank you so much for sharing, Grace. Oh my I really need one now!!!

Maria said...

I am a huge cinnamon fan-that is why I love you. Great recipe!

Jennifer said...

WOW now this sounds heavenly!!!

Lisa-Marie said...

*goes to baking cupboard*

I will be making this tomorrow!

The Teacher Cooks said...

I have this recipe and just realized it. My recipe is called Sour Cream Coffeecake. I usually make it for brunch and you are right it is easy and too good to be true. By the way, I saw that you too are participating in the new blogger's mentoring program. I can't wait!

Lisa said...

Mmmm! The base for this cake sounds much like the recipe for "Better Than Sex Cake" that my aunt's friends were passing around twenty-five years ago. That was made with grated German Chocolate and Chocolate Chips instead of brown sugar and cinnamon. Personally, I think I prefer the Cinnamon Roll spin. Wouldn't last long around here!

megan said...

this looks amazingly good. I'm slightly obsessed with cinnamon/sugar since I made cinnamon swirl bread last weekend. i can't get enough of it! I can't wait to make this!

Sandie {Inn Cuisine} said...

Yum---full on agree with you regarding those cinnamon roll shooters from Chili's. We got the sampler after dinner one evening & that was my very favorite. If this cake tates ANYTHING like those, I'm all in!

Cate O'Malley said...

Mmm, I made a similar cake (might even be the same one) from Tasty Treasures last year - a friend said it was better than s*x. So crazy good, thanks for the reminder!

Coleens Recipes said...

This looks fantastic, not sure if I could stay on my diet with this one.

Juliana said...

Yummie, I already know that I'll like this cinnamon roll aka cake :-) The pictures look so delicious, that I could not stop looking at them!

Emily said...

Cinnamon roll shooters?? Wow! I'll have to try those.

This cake looks amazing!

Sophie said...

Cinnamon should always be the star and I'd be more than happy to be force-fed cake, too :)!

La Bella Cooks said...

Wow, Grace...this looks gorgeous! I am seriously drooling over here.

Anonymous said...

Yum! I have 1/2 of yellow cake mix so I can make a half portion, perfect!

Dee Light said...

That looks so yummy! I have a recipe sort of like this, but it's in a bundt pan. I'm going to give yours a try It looks oh so yummy!

Leslie said...

YOu are officially grounded for not making these sooner!

Anonymous said...

LOVE it! I want my cinnamon roll and my cake!!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Oh, YAY! You liked it! I'm glad! Yours looks great and you know what? I'm making two tomorrow. One of the twins has a teacher that asked him if I would make a couple. I, of course said yes, gotta stay on their good side, right?!

Btw, have you seen those cinnamon roll griddlecakes over at Inn Cuisine? :)

Also, here's that link I promised you for those quick and easy no wait, no yeast cinnamon rolls.
http://www.baseballbakingandbooks.com/2009/11/cinnamon-roll-success-new-traditions.html
~ingrid

Peabody said...

Must have. Must have. Must have.

Jennifer said...

Looks delish! I just made cinnamon buns for the very first time because of your cinnamon bun post. You will not suck me in with this one- I eat too many sweets as is! Evil. Just evil. :)

CC11 said...

Man I am such a sucker for cinnamon. This cake looks sinfully delicious - I am now checking out your cinnamon bun post...

Chef Jeena said...

What a gorgeous cinnamon treat!

Tia said...

wow, have you treid the Krusteaz cinnamon crumb cake mix? I wonder if this anything like it. looks deeelish

Stephen said...

well... growing up in the south I know that that's what my momma and grand momma did. junked up a cake mix and make it their own. practical and YUMMY.

Lisa-Marie said...

As I am from Scotland, there are lots! Most famous are haggis and shortbread, but thee is also Arbroath Smokies, Dundee Cake, Ayrshire potatoes(which you boil and have with butter and spring onions), Kirriemuir Gingerbread, and Butteries(a kind of flat, salty roll) from Aberdeen.

All yummy!

Esi said...

You had me at cinnamon roll. Sounds amazing!

Unknown said...

ok, so if we combine this with the cinnamon chocolate cake thing I made the other day....oooh man! love the cinnamon. love the iciing!! you're killing me here!

Unknown said...

Soo...yesterday, a co-worker requested something baked from me for her birthday....something she could take on a road trip. I made this, this morning, and brought it to her. It smelled incredible (I could smell it all the way to work...a 40 minute drive just so ya know)....and I got a teeny tiny taste...and OMG!!! YUM! Totally cinnamon roll cake. LOVE IT!! just thought you'd wanna know :)

cookies and cups said...

Well, I have no choice but to make this now!
LOVE your site!

webtrkr said...

Grace, I love your recipes, pictures and comments. I have bookmarked your blog.

I'm glad I found it :)
Yum - I'm making this Cinnamon Roll Cake tonight - Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Also known in the South as a "Honey Bun Cake." Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Had the pleasure of enjoying this today for like the fifthteenth gazillion time!! Love your photos! Happy blogging!

Alison said...

I love this cake. Have made it twice already and plan on making many more. Do you think it could be made as a cupcake.

grace said...

@Alison: Oh, I absolutely think this could be turned into cupcakes! The glaze is thin, so it might pour right over the sides of each cake, so maybe try to make it a little thicker. Now I'm curious myself!!

Alison said...

I wanted to make something like this in cupcake form for my wedding. What do you think about a cream cheese frosting instead of glaze?

grace said...

@Alison: First of all, congratulations and best wishes! Secondly, YES, cream cheese frosting would be terrific! I might even go so far as to say that it'd be much better than the glaze!!

Unknown said...

I made this cake this morning as a weekend treat... OMGEEE!!! WHAT A TREAT IT IS!!! The brown sugar and cinnamon make this delicately crunchy crust on the top to compliment the fluffy, moist cake. The cake itself is not overly sweet, but rich and decadent in texture and taste. I think that the next time I make this recipe, I may use less of the brown sugar and cinnamon mix, because with the glaze, it was just a tad on the overly sweet side. Absolutely delicious and will be my go to recipe for any occasion for which I need a yummy dessert/breakfast!!!

grace said...

@Patrice: I'm so glad you liked it! Yes, I tend to like my desserts sweeter than most people, but I think your idea is a good one!

Anonymous said...

This is the best cake in the world I always make it on Saturday morning it's got so much yummy flavor to it