★★★★★

Easy Cinnamon Cake

Say goodbye to boxed cake mix for good. Just one taste of this Easy 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. 

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.

Why this 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. 

  • Simple baking procedures mean this recipe is 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!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make cinnamon spice cake in a 13x9 baking dish.

For the Cake:

  • 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. 
  • Granulated Sugar
  • 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.

For the Frosting:

  • Butter – Use softened and unsalted butter for the creamiest and most delicious frosting. We’ve got tips on how to soften butter quickly!
  • Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar keeps the frosting ultra smooth and spreadable.
  • Cinnamon
  • Milk
  • Cinnamon Chips – This garnish is optional, but they’ll add texture and a beautiful presentation to the cake. 

Easy Instructions

Step by step photos showing how to make cinnamon spice cake.

For the 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.

For the Frosting:

  1. Cream Butter – With a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter until it’s pale yellow and creamy. 
  2. Beat in Sugar, Cinnamon, & Milk – Next, you’ll incorporate the powdered sugar into the butter in additions. On your first addition, add the milk and cinnamon. Then continue adding the sugar in increments until it’s all added and whipped together, about 3-5 minutes. 
  3. Frost & Garnish the Cake – Spoon and spread the frosting onto the cooled cake. Then, top it with a light sprinkling of cinnamon, the cinnamon chips, or anything else you’d like to use as garnish.
Slice of cinnamon cake with frosting and cinnamon chips served on a white plate.

Tips and Tricks

  • 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.
Cinnamon cake served on white plates.

Recipe FAQs

How should I store the cake once it’s baked?

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!

Cinnamon spice cupcake topped with frosting and cinnamon chips.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Yield: 20 servings

Easy Cinnamon Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

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. 

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with baking spray (or use homemade cake release). Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the egg whites with ¼ cup buttermilk. Whisk together and set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. Pour into prepared baking dish.
  5. Bake for 40-44 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
  6. 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.
  7. 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!
  • Get more recipe tips and tricks in the blog post.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    20

    Serving Size:

    1 slice

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 384Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 141mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 0gSugar: 42gProtein: 3g

    *Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

    Avatar photo

    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**

    Learn How To Become a Better Home Baker
    Sign up for the Shugary Sweets FREE Email Course Today—soon you’ll say, "I made it from scratch!"

    Categories: ,


    Posted on January 19, 2023

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *