Description
A tender, buttery Cinnamon Swirl Cake with a cozy ribbon of cinnamon sugar running through a soft, moist crumb. Perfect with coffee, tea, or as an easy dessert that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or 8 inch square pan and line with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lift.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- With mixer on low, add dry ingredients in two additions alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with dry. Mix just until the batter is smooth and no dry pockets remain.
- Stir together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to make the swirl mixture.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar evenly over the batter. Dollop the remaining batter on top and gently spread. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over the surface.
- Drag a thin knife or skewer through the layers with a few gentle S-shaped passes to marble, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out to a wire rack to cool until just warm or room temperature.
- Slice and serve as is or warm slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cinnamon for the brightest flavor.
- Room temperature butter, eggs, and milk help the batter emulsify for a finer crumb.
- Rotate the pan halfway if your oven has hot spots.
- Do not over-swirl or the ribbon will blend into the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg
Keywords: cinnamon swirl cake, coffee cake, easy snack cake, cinnamon loaf, butter cake, homemade dessert