If you adore the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls and the rich indulgence of gooey butter cake, you are in for a serious treat with this Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe. Imagine a soft, buttery cake base topped with a luscious, spiced cream cheese filling that melts in your mouth, all crowned with the most decadent sticky toffee buttercream that adds just the right amount of sweet, caramelized bliss. This dessert will quickly become your go-to for cozy weekends, special gatherings, or any time you want to impress without stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe keeps things straightforward with ingredients that are pantry-friendly yet essential for creating those perfect layers of flavor and irresistible textures. Each element plays a crucial role, from the buttery cake base that forms a tender foundation to the creamy cinnamon filling and the luxuriously sticky toffee frosting that ties it all together.
- Yellow cake mix: This saves time and adds a moist, fluffy structure to the cake base.
- Unsalted butter: Used in the cake, filling, and frosting, it provides richness and smoothness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add to the cake’s tender crumb and creamy filling.
- Cream cheese: Gives the filling its silky, tangy depth and gooey texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens both the filling and the toffee buttercream perfectly.
- Cinnamon: The star spice for that warm, aromatic kick reminiscent of a classic cinnamon roll.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its mellow sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Essential for the sticky toffee, it delivers a rich caramel flavor.
- Heavy cream: Adds smoothness and helps achieve that luscious frosting texture.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness, making every bite more complex and satisfying.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the cake base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the cake releases easily. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and a single egg, mixing until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create a beautiful, golden base that will support the gooey filling.
Step 2: Make the gooey cinnamon filling
With your mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, and mix well to combine. Slowly stir in the powdered sugar until the filling turns silky and thick. Pour this luscious mixture over your cake base, spreading it out evenly to cover every corner. This filling is where all the gooey magic happens!
Step 3: Bake the cake
Place your cake in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. You want the edges to turn a lovely golden brown while the center remains just slightly jiggly. This ensures that the gooey filling stays delightfully soft. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before moving on to the frosting — patience here rewards you with the perfect texture.
Step 4: Prepare the sticky toffee buttercream
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt together the butter and brown sugar, stirring until the mixture is smooth, bubbly, and rich with caramel notes — roughly 2 to 3 minutes. Add the heavy cream and cook for another minute to incorporate. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 to 15 minutes; this step is crucial to prevent the frosting from becoming runny. When the mixture is cool, beat in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the buttercream is silky, thick, and fluffy.
Step 5: Frost the cake
Spread your sticky toffee buttercream generously and evenly over the cooled gooey butter cake. The frosting complements the cinnamon filling with a rich, velvety toffee sweetness that will make it hard to stop at just one slice!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe
Garnishes
A little extra flair never hurts! For a beautiful presentation and added texture, consider drizzling caramel sauce over the frosting or sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts on top. These garnishes add a lovely crunch and enhance the sticky toffee notes in the buttercream.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to lighten each bite. A hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea also complements the warm cinnamon and toffee flavors, making the whole experience feel like a special treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, cut the cake into smaller squares and serve on pretty dessert plates with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top. You can also stack a couple of squares between layers of whipped cream for a decadent cinnamon roll-inspired parfait. Either way, this Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe is sure to be the star of the dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the buttercream fresh and the cake moist. It will stay delicious for up to 4 days, making it perfect for make-ahead indulgence.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake without frosting for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting with the sticky toffee buttercream and serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cake warm, pop an individual slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds to warm the gooey filling and soften the buttercream slightly. This brings out the comfort-food feeling and enhances the melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
FAQs
Can I make this cake without a boxed cake mix?
Absolutely! While the boxed cake mix speeds up preparation and provides a consistent base, you can use your favorite homemade yellow cake recipe instead. Just keep the same quantity to maintain texture balance.
What type of cream cheese works best for the filling?
Use full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature for the creamiest, richest filling. Avoid low-fat versions as they can result in a less smooth texture.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, with some substitutions. Use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives, and replace heavy cream with coconut cream. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
You can mix and bake the cake and filling layers ahead of time and store the un-frosted cake in the refrigerator overnight. Make the sticky toffee buttercream fresh the next day for the best texture.
How sweet is this cake?
This dessert definitely leans to the sweeter side, thanks to the powdered sugar in the filling and frosting, balanced out by cinnamon and a pinch of salt. If you prefer less sweetness, adjust the powdered sugar in the buttercream slightly.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the blend of familiar cinnamon roll flavors and the indulgence of gooey butter cake, especially when topped with that silky sticky toffee buttercream. This Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe captures that perfect harmony, bringing warmth, sweetness, and comfort in every bite. I encourage you to give it a try—whether it’s for a cozy family night or a festive celebration, it will quickly become a beloved favorite in your dessert rotation!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cinnamon Roll Gooey Butter Cake with Sticky Toffee Buttercream is a decadent American dessert combining a soft yellow cake base with a rich, gooey cinnamon cream cheese filling. Topped generously with a sticky toffee buttercream, it captures the indulgent flavors of cinnamon rolls and sticky toffee in a luscious, bake-at-home treat perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the cake base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the gooey cinnamon filling:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the sticky toffee buttercream:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the cake base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms, then evenly press this mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan to create the base layer.
- Make the gooey cinnamon filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, mixing thoroughly to combine. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, beating until the filling is thick and creamy. Pour this cinnamon filling evenly over the prepared cake base layer.
- Bake the cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown, and the center will be set but slightly jiggly to the touch. This ensures a gooey texture. Once baked, remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Make the sticky toffee buttercream: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt the softened butter and brown sugar together. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add the heavy cream and cook for an additional minute, then remove from heat. Let the toffee mixture cool for 10 to 15 minutes to prevent melting the frosting.
- Frost the cake: Once the toffee mixture is slightly cooled but still pourable, beat in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the buttercream is smooth and fluffy. Spread this sticky toffee buttercream evenly over the cooled gooey butter cake. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra decadence, drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting or sprinkle with chopped pecans for added texture.
- Store any leftovers refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- You can use a non-stick cooking spray instead of greasing for easier cake removal.
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overbake; the center should remain slightly jiggly to maintain gooeyness.
