There’s something magical about the aroma of cinnamon and sugar baking in the oven. It speaks of warmth, comfort, and pure indulgence. And when that heavenly scent comes from a homemade cinnamon swirl cake, well, let’s just say it’s enough to make anyone drop everything and head straight to the kitchen.
This recipe will guide you through creating the most delicious cinnamon swirl cake you’ve ever tasted. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these simple steps and handy tips will help you create a masterpiece. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (55g) unsalted butter, melted
Equipment You’ll Need:
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Toothpick
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
1. Preparing the Pan and Preheat:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, then line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. This ensures your cake won’t stick and makes for a clean, effortless removal.
2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, resulting in a cake that rises beautifully.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugar:
- In another large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This creates air pockets in the batter, leading to a tender crumb.
4. Incorporating Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
5. Alternating Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix. Overmixing can develop gluten and make the cake tough.
6. Making the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. This fragrant mixture is the heart of the swirl, providing that irresistible warmth and spice.
7. Layering the Batter and Swirl:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Drizzle with half of the melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat with the remaining batter, melted butter, and cinnamon sugar.
8. Creating the Swirl Pattern:
- Using a knife or toothpick, swirl the cinnamon sugar mixture through the batter. You can create any pattern you like! I usually go for a simple swirl, but get creative and have fun with it!
9. Baking to Perfection:
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.
