If you’re craving a cake that’s bursting with warm, cozy spices and has that perfect tender crumb, you’re in for a treat. This Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe is the kind of dessert that feels like a big hug on a plate. Whether you’re baking for a casual afternoon coffee or a special get-together, this cake promises a delightful cinnamon swirl in every bite — plus, it’s topped with the creamiest cream cheese icing that takes it over the moon. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll probably become your go-to recipe for bundt cakes!

💚

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Cinnamon Swirls: The cinnamon and brown sugar mix layers beautifully within the cake, creating that irresistible speckled effect and flavor burst in every slice.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the sour cream in the batter, this cake stays wonderfully soft and moist even days after baking.
Easy Layering Technique: Adding the batter and cinnamon mixture in thirds ensures every part of the cake carries that warm spice flavor evenly.
Cream Cheese Icing Finish: The smooth, slightly tangy icing perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake, making each bite delightful without being too sugary.

Cinnamon Bundt Cake, cinnamon bundt cake recipe, easy cinnamon cake, cozy cinnamon dessert, moist cinnamon loaf - A bundt cake with a rich brown color and a thick white icing drizzled over the top that flows down the sides, leaving some of the cake visible between the icing sections. The cake is placed on a clear glass pedestal plate on a white marbled surface. One slice is cut out and placed on a white plate nearby, showing a swirl pattern inside with light and dark brown layers. A woman's hand is holding the cake server that has been used to lift the slice from the bundt cake. There is a striped black and white napkin to the side with a metal cake server on it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe plays its part to build that classic comforting profile. Let’s quickly break down why these staples remain my favorites and how you can select the best for your baking adventure.

Cinnamon Bundt Cake, cinnamon bundt cake recipe, easy cinnamon cake, cozy cinnamon dessert, moist cinnamon loaf - Flat lay of a small mound of golden unsalted butter, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with thick white sour cream, a small white bowl holding clear pale vanilla extract, a neat pile of white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of light beige baking soda powder, a small white bowl with fine ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl containing light brown packed brown sugar, a block of creamy white cream cheese, a small white bowl of fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl filled with creamy light 2% milk, all ingredients arranged symmetrically on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level perfectly and delivers a creamy, rich base flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness and that lovely tender crumb texture.
Eggs: They give structure and bind everything together, plus add to the cake’s richness.
Sour Cream: This ingredient really seals the deal on moistness and adds a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness.
Vanilla Extract: It deepens the flavor subtly, making the cake taste more complex and inviting.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the perfect balance of structure without making the cake dense.
Baking Soda: Helps with leavening, so the cake rises beautifully and stays light.
Ground Cinnamon & Brown Sugar (Cinnamon Mixture): The soul of this recipe—the cinnamon adds warmth while brown sugar melts into gooey pockets of caramelized goodness.
Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Milk & Vanilla (Icing): Cream cheese adds that tangy smoothness; powdered sugar sweetens without graininess, and milk thins it to perfect drizzle consistency.
Cooking Oil Spray: Makes sure the bundt pan is coated well so that the cake releases easily without a single crack.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The best part about this Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe is how customizable it is! Over time, I’ve experimented with a few tweaks that make it uniquely mine—and you should totally feel free to play around with your version too.

Variation: Whenever I want a hint of extra warmth, I add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon mixture—shoutout to the holidays vibes it brings!
Dairy-free Twist: I’ve swapped sour cream with dairy-free yogurt and cream cheese with vegan alternatives, and it still turned out wonderfully moist and flavorful.
Texture Boost: Tossing in some chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon layers adds a lovely crunch I can’t resist.
Gluten-Free: Using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works just fine, just be sure not to overmix to maintain fluffiness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Up That Batter

Start by softening your butter; room temperature is key here to get a creamy mix when combined with sugar. I usually give my butter about an hour out on the counter. Then, in a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugar until the mix looks pale and fluffy—this aerates your batter for that light cake texture. Next, crack in your eggs one by one, followed by sour cream and vanilla, whisking after each addition to keep everything smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Fold in Dry Ingredients Gently

In a separate bowl, sift together your flour and baking soda for even distribution and to avoid clumps. Then, slowly add that to your wet mixture, whisking just until everything comes together. Overmixing here can lead to a denser cake, so it’s okay if you still see a few tiny lumps.

Step 3: Layer the Magic

Spray your bundt pan generously with cooking oil spray. Here’s a trick I swear by: get a bit of flour into the pan after spraying for even more non-stick assurance. Pour a third of your batter evenly into the pan, then sprinkle half of your cinnamon and brown sugar mixture on top. Repeat these layers one more time before finishing with the last third of the batter. This layering helps those cinnamon swirls peek through beautifully when sliced.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake your cake at 350°F for about 55-60 minutes. To know when it’s done, insert a toothpick into the thickest part—the toothpick should come out clean or with just a crumb or two attached, never wet batter. After baking, let it rest right in the pan for about 20 minutes; this resting phase helps the cake firm up so it won’t break when you flip it out. To remove, tap gently all around the pan with a spoon, then invert onto a cooling rack or plate. Let it cool completely before the icing goes on.

Step 5: Whip Up That Cream Cheese Icing

While the cake cools, mix the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl using a whisk. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth and lump-free, adding a splash more milk if it feels too thick. Once your cake is fully cooled, drizzle or spread the icing on top and watch it melt into the cake’s crevices.

💡

Tips from My Kitchen

Butter Temperature Matters: Using butter that’s too cold makes it hard to cream smoothly; too warm and it gets greasy. Room temp, like my grandma taught me, is your sweet spot.
Don’t Skip the Sour Cream: It might seem odd, but it really brightens the cake’s flavor and keeps it moist longer than a cake without it.
Layering Is Key: Pouring and sprinkling cinnamon mixture in layers ensures you don’t get it clumped at the bottom—your first bite is cinnamon-everywhere perfection.
Cool Completely Before Icing: Applying cream cheese icing on warm cake melts it away and leaves you with a glossy mess—patience really pays off here.

How to Serve Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe

Cinnamon Bundt Cake, cinnamon bundt cake recipe, easy cinnamon cake, cozy cinnamon dessert, moist cinnamon loaf - A close-up view of a sliced bundt cake with a spiral pattern of light and dark brown layers, topped with thick white icing dripping down the cake. The cake has a slightly rough, crumbly texture on the outer darker layer and a moist, soft look inside. It sits on a clear, round stand with some crumbs around the base, all on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to keep it simple with this cake—just a drizzle of the cream cheese icing and maybe a light dusting of powdered sugar to give it that fresh-from-the-bakery look. If I’m feeling festive, a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a few fresh berries on the side brighten up the plate and add a nice texture contrast.

Side Dishes

Pair this Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe with your favorite hot beverage—like a cup of strong coffee or chai tea—which complements that cinnamon spice so well. For a more filling snack or brunch, a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt on the side rounds out the experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I sometimes serve the cake on a rustic wooden board surrounded by cinnamon sticks and star anise—gives the table a warm, festive feeling. You can also slice it into mini portions and serve with small spoons for a charming dessert buffet. If it’s a casual weekend, stacking a slice with scoop of vanilla ice cream makes an irresistible twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover the leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It keeps beautifully at room temperature for up to 3 days—trust me, it rarely lasts that long! For longer storage, refrigerate to keep the cream cheese icing fresh.

Freezing

This Cinnamon Bundt Cake freezes well! To freeze, wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’ve pulled some out weeks later, the cake still tastes amazingly fresh after thawing overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy it warm, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds—just enough to take the chill off without drying it out. Adding a small dollop more cream cheese icing or a pat of butter really revives that fresh-baked feeling.

FAQs

Can I use a different pan instead of a bundt pan?

Absolutely! While a bundt pan creates the beautiful ring shape and exposes more surface area for that crusty cinnamon sugar edge, you can use a loaf or tube pan. Just adjust the baking time slightly—start checking around 40 minutes since loaf pans bake faster.
What if I don’t have sour cream? Can I substitute it?

You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. Both help retain that moist texture and subtle tang, which is key to the cake’s flavor profile.
How do I prevent my bundt cake from sticking to the pan?

Make sure you spray the pan thoroughly with a non-stick cooking spray designed for baking and then lightly dust it with flour. I like to tap out any extra flour so there’s just a light coating. Also, letting the cake cool for 20 minutes before inverting helps it release easily.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just be careful not to overmix—mix until just combined—to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Is the cream cheese icing necessary?

While the cake is tasty on its own, the cream cheese icing adds a perfect tangy sweetness and moist finish that elevates the whole experience—so I highly recommend it if you can!

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe is one of those gems that I’m so happy to pass along because it never fails to make people smile. It’s straightforward enough for a weekday treat but special enough for celebrations. The warm cinnamon, moist crumb, and luscious cream cheese icing combine to create a slice of comfort and joy. Honestly, once you make it, you’ll find yourself planning your next slice before you even finish the first. So go ahead, grab your bundt pan, and bake yourself a little happiness—you won’t regret it.