Do you miss cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns since going gluten-free? Now you don’t have to! This gluten-free cinnamon roll cake has both the texture and the taste of a gooey cinnamon roll. Cinnamon rolls are not just for breakfast anymore!
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Cinnamon Rolls
I absolutely adore cinnamon rolls, really cinnamon anything! One of the things I missed the most since going gluten-free was cinnamon rolls.
I was looking for gluten-free cinnamon roll and cinnamon buns recipes online and they seemed so labor intensive. These recipes had lots of steps and took lots of time.
This busy mama of four does not have time for that!
So when I found this recipe for cinnamon roll cake on Chef In Training‘s blog I was so excited. I found that the cinnamon roll cake was easy to modify to be gluten-free.
A lot of gluten-free cooking is finding ways to modify your favorite recipes to be gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Flour
These gluten-free crepes were made with a rice flour blend. I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Pro Tip
The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Friends, please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup.
Dairy-Free Baking
I have also included a dairy-free option to my gluten-free cinnamon roll cake recipe. My husband, my youngest son, and I are all dairy-free.
I promise it is just as delicious made with the dairy-free butter and dairy-free milk. For this recipe, I like to bake with almond or cashew milk and Smart Balance or Earth Balance butter.
So, you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free cinnamon roll cake.
Gluten-Free Roll Cinnamon Cake
Gluten-free cinnamon rolls can be hard to recreate. With this gluten-free cinnamon roll cake recipe, you get all of the flavors of cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns without all of the work!
This is not your average cinnamon cake. It has both the texture and the taste of a gooey cinnamon roll.
Seriously this is one of my favorite gluten-free cakes!
Cinnamon rolls are not just for breakfast anymore. Enjoy!
I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Cinnamon Roll Muffins
I also have also turned this amazing cake into a recipe for Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Muffins too!
Try my some of my other gluten-free dessert and gluten-free breakfast recipes.
- Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
- Easy Blueberry Banana Muffins {Dairy-Free & Refined Sugar Free Option}
- Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake {Dairy-Free Option}
- Gluten-Free Apple Dapple Bundt Cake {Dairy-Free Option}
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★Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments!★
Recipe adapted to be gluten-free from the Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe from Grin and Bake It (it’s not linked because the blog is no longer exists).
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 3 cups *gluten-free flour I like Pillsbury gluten-free. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum leave out if your flour already contains it.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups milk For dairy-free I like cashew milk, almond milk or coconut milk.
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted (For dairy-free I like Earth Balance or Smart Balance.)
Topping:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (For dairy-free I like Earth Balance or Smart Balance)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk dairy-free use cashew, almond or coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Spray a 9×13 glass baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla and mix until fully combined.
- Once combined stir in the melted butter.
- The cake batter will be very thick and sticky. Pour into the prepared 9×13 baking pan.
Topping:
- In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, gluten-free flour and cinnamon together with a mixer.
- Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the butter mixture into the cake batter.
- Use a knife to swirl the butter mixture through the cake.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Use a toothpick to check and see if the center is done.
Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk and pure vanilla extract together.
- Pour over the warm cake.
- Enjoy!
Store in an air-tight container.
Recipe Notes
- *Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose. I like Pillsbury gluten-free.
- The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Using a spoon, scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you’ve spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup. Friends, please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup.
- For dairy-free option: I like to bake with Smart Balance butter and almond, cashew or coconut milk.
- Store in an air-tight container.
- Mama says "Check all of your labels!"
- Did you make a recipe? Tag @mamaknowsglutenfree on Instagram, Facebook or @mamaknowsgf on Twitter! I would love to see what you created!
Melanie says
Hi!
I’m planning to make this for my family Christmas tomorrow. My sister just found out a few months ago that she has celiac. I was hoping to make a dessert that she can enjoy (along with the rest of us)
I cannot find xanthum gum anywhere. I live in a small town too and no that it’s this close to Christmas I’m going to have to leave it out.
I have the bobs red mill all purpose gf flour.
Is this going to be ok without the gum?
Audrey says
Hi Melanie, that is so wonderful that you are making this for your sister! I do not recommend using Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose flour gluten-free for this recipe (red bag). Their all-purpose flour is made with garbanzo bean flour and it has a very different taste and texture than gluten-free flours made with rice flour (some people don’t care for the taste). Bob’s Red Mill also makes a Cup for Cup gluten-free flour (blue bag). I highly recommend you use a gluten-free flour blend that is made with rice flour. I bake with Pillsbury gluten-free flour and a lot of my readers like King Arthur, Pamelas or Betterbatter. Gluten-free flour blends that are “cup for cup” with have xanthum gum already in it. This cake is one of my most popular recipes and my family’s personal favorite. I hope you are able to find a gluten-free rice flour blend to make it and that everyone enjoys it! Merry Christmas!
Karen says
Cup4Cup gluten-free flour already has xanthum gum in it. I order the flour off of Amazon – nice and easy!!
Audrey says
I’ve never tired Cup4Cup but I know a lot of people like it. If you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity you cannot use it because it has milk powder in it. Thanks for the recommendation Karen!
Diana says
I am making this a day ahead to have on Christmas. Do I put the glaze on it now or wait until serving ? Also, if I do put the glaze on now does it need to be stored in refrigerator ?
Audrey says
Hi Diana! I always put the glaze on the warm cake. I hope you enjoy the cinnamon roll cake!
Diana says
This was delicious! My whole family lived it. However, I did have the same problem as Kate with it not being fully cooked. I also used the Bob’s 1 to 1. I will make again but will use the flour recommended. Thank you for sharing! I now have another treat my whole family can enjoy!
Audrey says
Thank you Diana for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I have found any time I have test baked with Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 the batter is wetter and takes longer to bake. The Bob’s Red Mill has sorghum flour so it absorbs moisture differently and bakes differently. I highly recommend the Pillsbury gluten-free or a rice flour blend that has similar ingredients. I order the Pillsbury from Walmart for less than $5 a 2lb bag. I am so happy that your family enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake! It’s one of my family’s favorite cakes. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Jennifer says
I just made this Christmas Eve before bed so it would be ready Christmas morning. It was an easy to follow recipe and came out so well. I used King Arthur’s gluten free cup for cup flour, regular butter, and almond milk. My husband loved it. I brought the cake to family dinner and my Great Aunt took one bite and said “Damn that’s good!” This recipe is definitely a winner. Thank you so much!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Jennifer for the amazing 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake and that you found the recipe easy to follow. I have never tried baking with King Arthur flour, but I really need too because so many of my readers like it. Thank you for your kind words, you made my night. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Kate says
I used the bobs red mill 1 to 1 and baked for 36 minutes. When I cut into it I realized the cake was not quite done so I put it back in for another 7 minutes. After letting it cool, I cut a slice and found it still not fully cooked. The taste is delicious, but could this be just my oven or possibly my flour choice?
Audrey says
Hi Kate! I think it may be your flour choice. Anytime I have test baked with Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 the batter has always been wetter. The Bob’s Red Mill has sorghum flour in it and the Pillsbury gluten-free flour is a rice flour blend, so it bakes differently. I have not had anyone else let me know that the cake did not bake fully with using Bob’s Red Mill. If you think your oven might be off, you could get an oven thermometer to check, I’ve had to do that too to make sure my oven was not running too hot. I hope you will try the recipe again with the Pillsbury gluten-free flour or a gluten-free flour blend with similar ingredients. I hope this helps. The cinnamon roll cake is one of my family’s favorite cakes.
Missy Hoyland says
Made this yesterday! Awesome cake. Easy recipe. Definitely a keeper.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Missy for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake. Thank you again!
Beth says
Loved this cake! I did cheat and use a Pamela’s GF cake mix, but added milk instead of water to the mix. I did all other things the same and it was delicious!
Audrey says
I am so happy to hear that you loved the cinnamon roll cake Beth! Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I’ve never tried Pamela’s cake mix, but i need to. I am glad that it worked well with the recipe. Thank you again!
Alison Althouse says
This recipe was a godsend! We have friends coming for a quick visit tomorrow and one is GF, so I wanted to make a dessert that she’d enjoy! It turned out perfectly and looks outstanding. I used King Arthur GF flour and actually aubstituted 1/4c white wine for some milk (I write a wine blog)… worked well and tastes amazing! Thanks so much!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Alison for the wonderful recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake. I am glad that the King Arthur gluten-free flour and the wine worked well in the recipe. I’ve not tried King Arthur gluten-free flour, but I need to. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Stephanie C says
This recipe is perfect! I made it yesterday, using King Arthur Flour mix, it’s all I had. I made it into cupcakes though. Perfect! Also, my husband asked me to make them into mini cups, for my son to take to school, they are wonderful too! Thank you so much for this
Audrey says
Thank you so much Stephanie for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake. I love that you made it into cupcakes and mini cups. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!
Carly says
I’m in the UK and I used doves gluten free flour, all I can say is wow. It’s UNBELIEVABLE. Even my gf sceptic boyfriend (hates anything gf because of the texture) thinks it’s gorgeous.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! Xxx
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review Carly! I am so happy that you and your boyfriend enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake. It’s one mine and my family’s favorite cakes. We don’t have Doves flour here in the U.S. but thank you for sharing what flour you used so it can help others in the UK. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Sandra Hou says
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’m looking forward to trying it! But I have two questions and hopefully they don’t sound too silly.
The first one is about the instruction for mixing the cake ingredients—do I use a spoon or a hand mixer? The other question is the flour. I have Glutino gluten free all purpose flour in my pantry. It doesn’t contain xanthan gum, but it has acacia gum. Do I need to add xanthan gum in this case?
Audrey says
Hi Sandra! There is never a silly question when it comes to gluten-free baking friend. For mixing the cake, you can use a spoon or a hand mixer. I would recommend using a hand mixer because the batter is really thick. I have never tried the Glutino gluten-free flour. I think that the acacia gum acts similar to the xanthan gum, so I would think that you would not need to add anything extra to the flour. I looked on the Glutino website and it says that it’s a cup for cup flour. I hope you enjoy the cinnamon roll cake!
Janet says
Yummy! I’m adding it to my list of tasty gluten free recipes.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Janet for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll cake and that you will be adding it to your list of recipes. Thank you again!