Easy Cinnamon Cake Recipe

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Say goodbye to boxed cake mix for good. Just one taste of this Easy Cinnamon Cake will make you a homemade convert for life. Easy 13×9 cake topped with a dreamy cinnamon frosting.

Love cake? Our applesauce cake is delicious and flavorful. Goodbye cake mixes, let’s try this delicious vanilla cake next!

Cinnamon spice cake being lifted out of baking dish.
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Why this Cinnamon Cake Is Best

This Cinnamon Cake comes together from start to “fork in your mouth” in under an hour with only a few ingredients.

However, it tastes so divine that everyone will think you spent all day in the kitchen. 

  • Perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. 
  • This recipe calls for a 13×9” baking dish, so decorating this cake is a breeze—no fussy layers or intricate piping here.
  • Whipped egg whites and buttermilk make this recipe stand out from the rest. You’ll end up with a cinnamon cake with a delicate texture to die for.

Love today’s easy cake? Try our easy chocolate cake next. And don’t forget the chocolate buttercream frosting!

Ingredients to Note

Ingredients needed to make cinnamon spice cake in a 13x9 baking dish.
  • Egg Whites – Make sure that your egg whites are at room temperature. You’ll achieve more volume and a lighter, fluffier texture this way.
  • Buttermilk– Choose our buttermilk substitute if needed!
  • Butter – Reach for softened, unsalted butter for the best results. 
  • Flour – Use cake flour for this recipe. It’s lower in protein and has a very fine consistency that’ll give you the most delicate crumb you’ve ever tasted. Be sure to learn how to measure flour correctly too, or you’ll end up with a dry cake.
  • Baking Powder – This recipe is formulated for baking powder. So, don’t try to swap it for baking soda, or it won’t rise correctly.
  • Spices – Salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger create this cake’s warm and cozy flavor.
  • Cinnamon Chips – This garnish is optional, but they’ll add texture and a beautiful presentation to the cake. 

How to Make Cinnamon Spice Cake

Step by step photos showing how to make cinnamon spice cake.
  1. Combine Buttermilk and Egg Whites – Whisk together ¼ cup of buttermilk and the egg whites. You’re not looking to achieve volume here, just incorporate the two, then set aside. 
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar – With a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together for about 2-3 minutes. You want the mixture to lighten in color and become fluffy and airy.
  3. Mix in Dry Ingredients – Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then, incorporate some of the dry mixture into the creamed butter and sugar. Continue beating in additions until the dry ingredients are thoroughly blended in. 
  4. Incorporate Buttermilk and Egg Whites – Slowly stream the egg mixture into the batter. Then, add the remaining buttermilk and beat the mixture for an additional 2 minutes or so. 
  5. Bake and Cool – Pour the batter into a greased 13×9” baking dish. Then transfer it to a 350°F oven to bake for 40-44 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Finally, remove it from the oven and cool completely before frosting.
Slice of cinnamon cake with frosting and cinnamon chips served on a white plate.

Easy Dessert Recipes

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Easy Cinnamon Cake

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By: Aimee
Say goodbye to boxed cake mix for good. Just one taste of this Cinnamon Cake will make you a homemade convert for life. And don’t worry, this recipe is just as simple as following the instructions on the back of a box but it has way more flavor. 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 20 servings

Ingredients 

For the cake:

  • 5 egg whites room temperature
  • ¾ cup buttermilk divided
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups cake flour
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup cinnamon chips optional
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with baking spray (or use homemade cake release). Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the egg whites with ¼ cup buttermilk. Whisk together and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in dry ingredients and beat until combined. Slowly add in egg mixture. Beat in remaining buttermilk and continue beating for 2 minutes, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish.
  • Bake for 40-44 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
  • For the frosting, beat butter for about 3 minutes, until pale yellow. Add in sugar, cinnamon and milk and beat an additional 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Spread frosting on cooled cake and top with cinnamon chips, if desired.

Notes

  • Room-temperature ingredients incorporate easier than cold ones. Whenever possible, let all of your ingredients sit out and come to the same temperature before combining them.
  • If you only have salted butter on hand, use it and omit the additional salt from the recipe. However, you should avoid using salted butter for the frosting.
  • Scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl often. You can even do this between each step. This will ensure you completely incorporate all ingredients evenly throughout the batter.
  • Storage. Pop the iced cake into the fridge for about 5 minutes until the frosting hardens slightly. Then, cover the cake with plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll last 3-5 days if kept well covered.
  • What’s the best way to serve the cake once it’s been refrigerated? Pull the cake out of the fridge, and allow it to come to room temperature. Once the cake has lost its chill and softened, get ready to dig in!
  • Can I make cupcakes with this recipe? You sure can. We’ve got all the information you need in our cinnamon spice cupcake recipe!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 384kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 141mg, Sugar: 42g
Course: Cake
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on January 19, 2023

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