Simple Cinnamon Swirl Cake Easy Singlelayer Coffee Cake

Quick Hook

Simple Cinnamon Cake makes my kitchen smell like Sunday mornings. Do you remember that warm, cinnamon sugar hug? This cake is a cozy, buttery coffee cake with cinnamon ribbons and an optional vanilla glaze.

I love this because it’s fuss free. It gives that Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake vibe. Honestly, it tastes like a One-Layer Cinnamon Cake made by your favourite neighbour.

Brief Overview

This cake comes from classic American coffee cake tradition. It’s the same comfort that turned baking into ritual.

Difficulty is easy. Prep takes 20 minutes active. Bake at 350° F ( 175° C) for 35– 45 minutes .

Total time is 55 65 minutes .

Yields 8 10 slices. Use a 9 inch round pan, square pan, or even a Bundt pan. Try Bundt Cake Cinnamon or Bundt Pan Cakes for different looks.

Main Benefits

The top benefit is simple ingredients and real comfort. Greek yogurt or sour cream adds moisture and a touch of protein. It’s a nicer swap than heavy frosting.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or coffee breaks. Serve with a latte or plain tea. It’s also a lovely afternoon pick-me-up.

What makes this special is the cinnamon sugar ribbon technique. Spread half the batter, sprinkle the swirl, then top with batter.

Use a knife to make gentle S-shaped swirls. Don’t overmix that keeps the clear ribbons.

As my grandma used to say, Warm cake fixes mornings. I once over swirl and lost the marbling. Lesson learned: shallow swirls win every time.

This recipe sits between a Simple Coffee Cake Recipe and a Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cake. You can adapt it when craving a Homemade Pound Cake Recipe Bundt Pans style loaf.

For a rustic twist, try a Cinnamon Bunt Cakes variation.

A small stat: many bakers prefer single layer cakes for easy slicing. That’s why One-Layer Cinnamon Cake is a crowd pleaser.

Now we’ll move to ingredients. Gather flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, sour cream, and cinnamon swirl mix. If you like, prepare a Vanilla Glaze Cinnamon Cake finish for drizzle.

Ingredients & Equipment

"Warm cake and coffee fix mornings." That’s my kitchen mantra. Simple Cinnamon Cake fits that moment. It’s cosy and forgiving.

Main Ingredients

For the cake batter

• 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) fine salt
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter , room temperature use European style for richer flavor.
• 2 large eggs , room temperature
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream or full fat Greek yogurt, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk

For the cinnamon swirl

• 1/3 cup (65 g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons (16 g) ground cinnamon — fresh ground is best.
• 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter , melted

Optional glaze or dusting

• Cinnamon sugar dust: 1 tablespoon (12 g) granulated sugar + 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon
• Vanilla glaze: 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar + 1 2 tablespoons (15 30 ml) milk + 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla

Note on quality. Use real butter and pure vanilla. They lift the cake. Fresh cinnamon smells brighter. Don’t skimp.

I often turn this into a version for a Bundt. Try the bold twist on Cinnamon Bunt Cakes or Bundt Cake Cinnamon . It works.

Seasoning Notes

Essential combo: cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg for warmth. For a coffee note, stir in 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso .

Orange zest brightens. Substitute ground cardamom for nutmeg. Use pumpkin pie spice as a one-to-one swap.

Flavor enhancers: brown butter, a splash of dark rum, or vanilla bean seeds. Quick swaps: yogurt for sour cream, oil for butter (same volume).

Equipment Needed

• 9 inch (23 cm) round pan or 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) square pan.
• Electric hand mixer or whisk.
• Rubber spatula and small bowl for swirl.
• Knife or skewer for marbling.
• Measuring cups/spoons or kitchen scale.
• Toothpick and cooling rack.

Household alternatives: use a fork if no whisk. Use a loaf pan for a One-Layer Cinnamon Cake feel. No stand mixer? No worries. Hand mixing works.

I once over swirl and lost the ribbons. Lesson learned. Keep the swirl light. That’s the trick for a true Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake , or a quick Simple Coffee Cake Recipe morning win.

Cooking Method

“People who love to eat are always the best people.” I love that line. It fits this cake. It feels like a warm hug. Fun fact: coffee cake searches spike on Sunday mornings.

Prep Steps Get your mise en place first. Measure flour, sugar, and baking powder. Soften butter and eggs at room temperature.

Pre-mix the cinnamon swirl. Line a 9 inch pan with parchment. Or use an 8×8 pan. Keep tools ready. Use a rubber spatula and a skewer.

Save time by weighing ingredients. Do this once. Clean as you go. Safety note: pans and batter get hot . Use oven mitts when removing pan.

step-by-step Process

1. Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Grease and parchment the pan.
2. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
3. Beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar until light. Add 2 eggs, one at a time. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla and 1/2 cup sour cream. Alternate adding dry mix and 1/2 cup milk. Mix just until combined.
4. Mix swirl: 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp melted butter.
5. Spoon half the batter into pan. Sprinkle the swirl evenly. Add remaining batter on top. Make 3 figure eights with a skewer. Don’t over swirl.
6. Bake 35– 45 minutes at 350° F ( 175° C) . Check at 32 minutes . Cake is done when top is golden. Edges pull slightly from pan. A toothpick shows a few moist crumbs.

Visual cues matter. Golden top and gentle springiness work. Don’t expect liquid batter.

Pro Tips Use room temp ingredients for a tender crumb. Chill the swirl mixture briefly for clearer ribbons. Try a light hand when swirling.

Common mistake: overmixing after flour. That makes it dense. make-ahead: bake, cool, then wrap. It keeps two days at room temp.

Freeze slices for up to one month.

I make this as a Simple Cinnamon Cake often. It sits well beside a latte. Think Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake, or a quick Vanilla Glaze Cinnamon Cake.

Try it in a Bundt pan too, like Cinnamon Bunt Cakes or Bundt Pan Cakes. Honestly, it’s comfort in every slice.

Recipe Notes quick chat

Julia Child said, People who love to eat are always the best people. I totally agree. My first go at this Simple Cinnamon Cake was messy.

The glaze ran away. I laughed. It still tasted amazing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm and slice thick. Pair with a strong cup of coffee. It makes an Easy Breakfast Cake Simple mornings better. Try it with a latte. For dessert, add vanilla ice cream.

If you want drama, bake as Cinnamon Bunt Cakes in a Bundt pan. That gives a Bundt pan look like Bundt Pan Cakes .

Or follow a Homemade Pound Cake Recipe Bundt Pans method for denser slices. This cake also plays well as a Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake .

Storage Tips

Cool completely before storing. Wrap in plastic wrap. Keep in the fridge up to four days. For longer life, freeze slices in a single layer.

Use airtight containers for the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat gently. Microwave 10 15 seconds per slice. Or warm in a 325° F oven for 5– 8 minutes. If glazed, cool fully before reheating.

Variations

Want gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour. Want less sugar? Cut swirl sugar by a third. For a fruit twist, fold in chopped apples. That turns it into an Apple Cinnamon version.

Seasonal swaps are fun. Summer: add blueberries. Fall: swap brown sugar for molasses and call it a Cinnamon Sugar Swirl Cake .

Try it as a One-Layer Cinnamon Cake or jazz it up into a Vanilla Glaze Cinnamon Cake finish.

Nutrition Basics

Roughly 360 calories per slice without glaze. With glaze expect about 420 calories. Each slice gives about 5 g protein. Fat sits near 18 g. Simple facts, no drama.

Key benefits: cinnamon may help blood sugar control. Dairy gives calcium and protein. Eating a moderate slice makes mornings cozier.

Conclusion Honestly, this cake is forgiving. It forgives over swirlings and messy glazes. Try it once. Then tweak. You’ll get that perfect cinnamon ribbon every time.