30 Minute Coffee Cake Roll Recipe

Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked coffee cake roll wafting through your kitchen on a lazy Sunday morning. This delightfully sweet and tender spiral combines the classic flavors of cinnamon sugar with a soft, fluffy cake that practically melts in your mouth.

Here’s a fun fact: coffee cake doesn’t actually contain coffee – it earned its name because it’s the perfect companion to your morning cup of joe! What makes this coffee cake roll truly special is its impressive swirled appearance that looks bakery-worthy but requires surprisingly simple techniques.

What is Coffee Cake Roll?

Ever wondered why we call it “coffee cake roll” when there’s no coffee in sight? This delightful dessert gets its name from being the perfect breakfast treat to enjoy alongside your favorite morning brew. Picture a tender, vanilla-scented cake wrapped around a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, then rolled into an elegant spiral that screams “I’m a baking genius!”

As they say, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and this coffee cake roll is guaranteed to win over anyone lucky enough to taste it. Ready to become the hero of your next brunch gathering?

Why You’ll Love This Coffee Cake Roll:

Bakery-Quality Results at Home This coffee cake roll delivers that coveted bakery texture and flavor without the hefty price tag. The secret lies in the perfect balance of ingredients and a simple rolling technique that creates those beautiful swirls everyone will admire.

Budget-Friendly Indulgence Making this coffee cake roll at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a fancy bakery. With basic pantry staples, you can create an impressive dessert that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.

Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Filling The star of this recipe is the generous cinnamon-sugar mixture that creates pockets of sweet, spiced goodness throughout every slice. Combined with a hint of vanilla and butter, it creates layers of flavor that complement our popular [banana bread recipe] perfectly.

Perfect for Any Occasion Whether it’s a holiday brunch, potluck dinner, or simple weekend treat, this coffee cake roll adapts beautifully to any setting. The elegant presentation makes it look like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality, it comes together in under an hour.

Ready to transform your kitchen into a cozy bakery? Let’s dive into this foolproof recipe that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

How to Make Coffee Cake Roll:

Quick Overview

This coffee cake roll combines simplicity with impressive results. The tender cake batter comes together in minutes, while the cinnamon-sugar filling adds that classic coffee cake flavor we all crave. The rolling technique might seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly forgiving and creates those gorgeous swirls that make this dessert so special.

Preparation Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Baking Time: 25-30 minutes
• Cooling Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Key Ingredients for Coffee Cake Roll:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 5-6 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix – a few lumps are perfectly fine.

Step 3: Spread the Batter Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly using an offset spatula. Make sure the batter reaches all corners and is level throughout.

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling In a medium bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. The mixture should be spreadable but not too runny.

Step 5: Add the Filling Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the cake batter. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the filling through the batter to create a marbled effect. Don’t worry about making it perfect – rustic swirls add character!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched and the edges just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Step 7: Cool and Prepare for Rolling Let the cake cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes – no longer! While it’s still warm, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar.

Step 8: Roll the Cake Starting from one short end, carefully roll the cake up in the towel. The towel will prevent the cake from sticking to itself. Let it cool completely while rolled – about 30 minutes.

Step 9: Make the Glaze Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle easily.

Step 10: Final Assembly Carefully unroll the cooled cake and remove the towel. Re-roll the cake without the towel, then place seam-side down on a serving platter. Drizzle with glaze and let it set for 10 minutes before slicing.

What to Serve Coffee Cake Roll With:

This versatile coffee cake roll pairs beautifully with both hot and cold beverages. Serve it alongside freshly brewed coffee, chai tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy morning treat. For brunch gatherings, complement it with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Consider offering it with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a sweet and savory combination. The cake also pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream for an evening dessert, or alongside other breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a complete brunch spread.

Top Tips for Perfecting Coffee Cake Roll:

Temperature Matters Roll the cake while it’s still warm but not hot. If it cools too much, it may crack when rolling. If it’s too hot, the filling will melt and become messy.

Don’t Skip the Towel Method Rolling the cake in a powdered sugar-dusted towel helps it “remember” its shape and prevents cracking when you add the final roll.

Ingredient Substitutions Replace whole milk with buttermilk for extra tang, or use melted coconut oil instead of butter for a subtle tropical flavor. For a richer cake, substitute sour cream for half the milk.

Avoid Overmixing Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake instead of the tender texture you want.

Even Spreading is Key Take time to spread the batter evenly in the pan. Uneven thickness will cause the cake to bake unevenly and may lead to cracking during rolling.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Short-Term Storage Store your coffee cake roll covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Freezing Instructions This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap the unglazed roll tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing and serving.

Reheating Methods For individual slices, microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore that fresh-baked warmth. For the whole cake, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

Make-Ahead Tips You can bake the cake roll a day ahead and store it wrapped (without glaze). Add the glaze just before serving for the best appearance and taste.

Nutrition Information

Nutrient	Per Slice (12 servings)
Calories	385
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	7g
Cholesterol	45mg
Sodium	420mg
Total Carbs	68g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	48g
Protein	6g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this coffee cake roll ahead of time? Absolutely! You can bake the cake roll up to 2 days in advance. Store it wrapped at room temperature and add the glaze just before serving for the best presentation.

Why did my cake crack when rolling? Cracking usually happens when the cake is either too cool or too hot when rolling. The ideal temperature is warm to the touch but not steaming hot. Also, make sure not to roll it too tightly.

Can I use a different pan size? This recipe is specifically designed for a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan. Using a different size will affect the thickness and baking time, which could impact the rolling process.

How do I know when the cake is done baking? The cake is ready when it springs back lightly when touched in the center and just begins to pull away from the sides of the pan. It should be golden but not brown.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins? Yes! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even mini chocolate chips can be sprinkled over the cinnamon filling before swirling. Just don’t add too much, as it might make rolling difficult.

What’s the best way to get clean slices? Use a sharp serrated knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Chilling the cake roll for 30 minutes before slicing also helps achieve cleaner cuts.

Can I make this dairy-free? You can substitute the butter with vegan butter and use non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Pro Baker Secrets

The Towel Trick Explained Professional bakers always roll their cake rolls in a towel while warm. This technique trains the cake to hold its spiral shape and prevents the dreaded cracking that ruins so many homemade attempts.

Altitude Adjustments If you’re baking at high altitude (above 3,000 feet), reduce the baking powder to 3 teaspoons and increase the liquid by 2-3 tablespoons for best results.

Flavor Variations to Try Transform this basic recipe by adding lemon zest to the batter and lemon curd filling, or create a chocolate version by replacing 1/4 cup flour with cocoa powder and adding chocolate chips to the filling.

This coffee cake roll recipe brings bakery-quality results to your home kitchen with simple techniques and foolproof instructions. The combination of tender cake, sweet cinnamon filling, and elegant presentation makes it perfect for any occasion from casual weekend breakfast to holiday entertaining. With proper storage techniques, you can even enjoy this delightful treat throughout the week or freeze portions for future cravings.

Remember, baking is both an art and a science, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Each time you make this coffee cake roll, you’ll gain confidence and develop your own personal touches that make it uniquely yours. Happy baking!