The smell of warm cinnamon rolls drifting from the oven feels like a hug for your senses. This Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake brings that magic with hardly any effort. Just layer, bake, and enjoy gooey cinnamon sweetness with a buttery topping that works for breakfast or dessert.
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Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
You get the best of two worlds: soft cinnamon roll bites and a golden cake topping. It’s rich, gooey, and full of buttery warmth. The prep takes just five minutes, so it’s perfect when you want something impressive without fuss.
It’s also flexible. Serve it for breakfast with coffee, as a sweet brunch addition, or as dessert topped with ice cream. The “dump and bake” method makes it nearly foolproof, even for beginner bakers.
What is a Dump Cake?
A dump cake is the laid-back cousin of traditional cake. Instead of mixing batter, you layer the ingredients right in the pan and bake. It’s similar to cobbler but uses a dry cake mix for the topping.
The magic happens as the butter melts through the layers, creating pockets of tenderness and crisp edges. No mixing bowl needed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cinnamon Rolls – 2 cans of refrigerated rolls cut into bite-sized pieces. Keep the frosting for later.
- Whipped Cream Cheese – Adds creamy richness. Plain works best.
- Pecans – For crunch and nutty depth. Optional if you prefer without nuts.
- Cinnamon Swirl Cake Mix – The sweet, spiced top layer.
- Unsalted Butter – Thinly sliced so it melts evenly over the cake.
Optional: Add chopped apples for a cozy fall twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Pan and Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces. Spread evenly in the pan.
2. Add Cream Cheese and Pecans
Drop spoonfuls of whipped cream cheese over the rolls. Sprinkle pecans evenly across the top.
3. Top with Cake Mix and Cinnamon Swirl
Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly. Follow with the cinnamon swirl packet from the cake mix.
4. Add Butter and Bake
Place butter slices over the entire surface, covering as much as possible. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
5. Drizzle Frosting Before Serving
Warm the reserved frosting briefly in the microwave. Drizzle over the baked cake. Serve warm or cooled.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t stir the layers; the magic happens as they bake in place.
- If you spot dry cake mix after baking, drizzle a little melted butter and bake for 5 more minutes.
- For extra gooey texture, add a few more pats of butter before baking.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I make this without nuts?
Yes, simply leave out the pecans. You can replace them with chocolate chips or extra cinnamon sugar.
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls instead of canned?
Absolutely. Just bake them slightly less than fully done before layering for this recipe.
Can I freeze Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake?
Yes. Bake it first, cool completely, then wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Serving Ideas
Serve warm with breakfast casseroles or quiche for a hearty brunch. For dessert, pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
If you like this, you might also enjoy my Lemon Blueberry Dump Cake recipe for a citrusy twist, or my fall favorite Pumpkin dump cake with spiced cake mix. For something equally comforting, try these Easy apple dumplings with crescent rolls.
Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake Recipe (Recipe Card)
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Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake – Easy, Gooey & Delicious
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Gooey, buttery, and spiced with cinnamon, this Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake takes just 5 minutes of prep for a cozy breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
2 (12.4-oz) cans cinnamon rolls, frosting reserved
1 (12-oz) container whipped cream cheese
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (21-oz) box cinnamon swirl cake mix
¾ cup unsalted butter, thinly sliced
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cut cinnamon rolls into 4 pieces each. Spread evenly in the pan.
3. Drop spoonfuls of whipped cream cheese over the rolls. Sprinkle pecans evenly.
4. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the top, then the cinnamon swirl packet.
5. Arrange butter slices evenly over the surface, covering as much as possible.
6. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
7. Warm reserved frosting in microwave and drizzle over baked cake before serving.
Notes
Do not stir the layers before baking.
Use dry cake mix only.
Omit pecans or replace with chocolate chips if desired.
Add chopped apples for extra flavor.
For dry spots after baking, drizzle melted butter and bake 5 minutes longer.
Store covered in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Reheat in microwave or freeze after baking for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
More Such Recipes
- Caramel apple cheesecake bars
- Pumpkin dump cake with spiced cake mix
- Easy apple dumplings with crescent rolls
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake is the kind of recipe that makes any day feel special. It’s quick, comforting, and always gets an “mmm” at the first bite. If you try it, share a photo on Pinterest or tag me on Facebook.