Easy Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake (Bundt-Style)

15 Reviews
Published Dec 3, 2020 ∙ Kristina Stosek

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Say move over to traditional cinnamon rolls because this Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake is about to become your new favorite breakfast bake. With pillowy, classic flavor of a cinnamon roll and with none of the hassle, this recipe requires no kneading, no rolling, and minimal cleanup.

whole gluten free cinnamon roll cake with one slice missing showing the extra moist interior topped with cream cheese icing

Leavened with quick-rise instant yeast, the dough comes together quickly and bakes to golden perfection in a bundt pan. Finished with a smooth light cream cheese vanilla frosting, it is the ultimate sweet treat for family weekends or brunch gatherings.

RECIPE HIGHLIGHTS

  • No Rolling or Kneading: Skip the tedious shaping, this sticky, batter-like dough gets poured straight into a bundt pan instead of hand-rolled.

  • Bundt Pan Magic: Baking in a 9-inch bundt pan creates a stunning presentation and helps the cake bake faster and more evenly.

  • Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free, nut-free friendly, and vegetarian.

  • Flexible Rising Options: Choose between a quick 60 to 90-minute counter rise or an overnight refrigerator fermentation for maximum convenience.

cinnamon roll cake, gluten free

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SWAPS

  • Gluten-Free 1:1 Measure-for-Measure Flour Blend: Essential for structure. Note: Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum. (For 3 cups, the accurate weight is typically around 360g to 390g depending on the specific brand, as cup weights for GF flour vary).

  • GF Quick-Rise Instant Yeast: Mixed directly into the dry ingredients without prior proofing.

  • Warm Milk: Must be accurately heated to about 115°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Reacts with the leavening agents to provide a tender crumb in gluten-free baking.

  • Coconut or Brown Sugar: Adds rich, molasses-like depth to both the dough and the cinnamon swirl.

  • Light Cream Cheese: Forms the base of the smooth, tangy vanilla frosting while keeping it light.

Avoid These Mistakes When Making Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake

4 steps on how to make cinnamon roll cake, batter, layering in bundt pan, after rising in bundt pan and baked cake on a plate before icing

  • Incorrect Milk Temperature: If your milk is too hot (over 120°F), it will kill the yeast, and your cake will not rise. Use a digital thermometer to hit that sweet spot of 115°F.

  • Skipping the Pan Prep: Bundt cakes are notorious for sticking. Generously spray your 9-inch bundt pan with cooking oil and dust it thoroughly with gluten-free flour to ensure a clean release.

  • Over-Swirling: When layering the cinnamon mixture into the dough, use a knife to gently create ribbons. Over-mixing will blend the cinnamon entirely into the batter instead of creating distinct pockets of flavor.

gluten free cinnamon swirl breakfast cake generously topped with light cream cheese frosting

My Favorite Way to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cake

  • Serve warm slices alongside a hot cup of coffee, espresso, or an iced vanilla latte.

  • Pair with a fresh fruit salad or a protein-rich savory breakfast scramble to balance out the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting.

a slice of extra moist cake with cinnamon swirls throughout and frosted on a plate with extra frosting on the side

4 Gluten-Free Cinnamon Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again and Again

Cinnamon has a way of turning simple gluten-free baking into something warm and irresistible, and these four recipes prove it. Start your morning with fluffy pull-apart Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread – Gluten Free, or go for a naturally sweetened treat with these Gluten-Free Honey Cinnamon Rolls.

If you’re looking for something lighter, the Grain-Free Blueberry Cinnamon Muffins (Paleo, Low-Carb) offer a fruity twist that fits paleo and low-carb diets alike. And for a savory-sweet breakfast finish, try the Keto Pancakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Butter, a rich, comforting way to start the day. Together, these four recipes highlight just how versatile cinnamon can be.

Hi, I’m Kristina, a gluten-free recipe developer creating and testing recipes since 2012. Every recipe on this site is made in my kitchen and personally tested (with the help of my very honest family!).

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a quick review below, it helps other gluten-free cooks discover recipes they can trust.

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Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving: Calories: ~385 kcal | Total Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 310mg | Total Carbohydrates: 54g | Dietary Fiber: 3g | Sugars: 24g | Protein: 6g | Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on specific brands. Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Comments

  1. Christina

    I have a question on the overnight method...did you mean to let it rise 1st THEN refrigerate afterwards, or refrigerate after its been mixed? I refrigerated after i mixed it, brought it to room temp for about 2 hours, and it has not risen .

  2. Kristina

    I am sorry, I should have made the instruction clearer. Yes, let it rise first, then refrigerate overnight. Although, the dough should rise partially even when refrigerated, as long as the yeast is not dated. I will revise the instructions. Thank you.

  3. Leslie

    Delicious, I substituted Nutella for the cinnamon swirl and the cake turned out great. My kids love it!!

  4. Kristina

    what an excellent idea, thanks for sharing

  5. Ray

    It was ok. It tasted too yeasty and was a bit dry. I used krusteez 1 to 1

  6. Kristina

    I am sorry to hear that, sometimes different flour blends can change the texture.

  7. Gail Norton

    I only have instant yeast in a bottle. How many tsp do I need?

  8. Kristina

    2 1/4 tsp. Gail