Cinnamon Roll Cake

First I was going to make this cake last year. Then a few months ago. Then finally, yesterday night, I made it for my apartmentmate, Marrisa's, 22nd birthday!!

It was easy and fun to make! I thought I'd screw it up with that whole marbling-with-the-knife step (I always do...I can never do it right!) but it turned out not to really be marbling it or swirling it at all. It turned out absolutely. PERFECT. It was soft and delicious and wow, exactly like cinnamon rolls (though yes softer) without all the yeast and the waiting and stuff. EVERYBODY loved it, and it was completely devoured by the end of the night. This cake got a better response than ANYTHING I've ever baked. Kinda surprised me.

So for Marrisa's birthday, I got Lucy to keep her awake til midnight (her birthday is today!) by making her play Settlers with some of the guys. Then I brought all my supplies over to Le's kitchen to bake the cake, and got some of Marrisa's good friends to meet us a little before midnight outside our apartment. It worked perfectly. Marrisa expected us to do something later in the day--not for a whole train of people to barge in right at midnight!!

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Recipe by The Girl who Ate Everything

Found on Lovin From the Oven

Cake:

3 cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ cups milk

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup (1 stick) real butter, melted

Topping:

1 cup (2 sticks) real butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

3/4 cup chopped pecans, (optional) (always measure the nuts first then chop them)

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

5 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Next, stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

Next, for the topping, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and pecans until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by spoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center.

For the glaze, mix powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth and pour over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.