Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake Recipe
This Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake is a delightful dessert featuring tender, buttery cake layered with a rich cinnamon and brown sugar swirl, all finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for gatherings or an indulgent treat, its marbled interior and sweet-spiced flavor bring a comforting twist to classic bundt cake.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the pan and cinnamon swirl: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a bundt pan to prevent sticking. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter for the cinnamon swirl. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. This ensures a tender texture in the cake.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract. This helps incorporate air for a light crumb.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to distribute the leavening evenly.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the flour mixture and whole milk alternately to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten.
- Layer the batter and cinnamon swirl: Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly over this layer. Pour the remaining batter on top and use a knife to gently swirl the layers, creating a marbled swirl effect without overmixing.
- Bake the cake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-12 minutes to set before gently turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from breaking apart.
- Make and apply the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk (3-4 tablespoons), and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake to finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature to achieve a tender crumb.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the cake light.
- The swirling step is key for distinct cinnamon ribbons—avoid over swirling.
- Cooling the cake in the pan briefly helps it hold its shape when removed.
- The glaze adds sweetness and a smooth finish but can be omitted for a less sweet option.
Keywords: cinnamon swirl cake, bundt cake recipe, cinnamon cake, vanilla glaze dessert, American baked dessert