Introduction
Oh, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking… it just instantly brings back memories, doesn’t it? That warm, sweet aroma that fills the house and makes everything feel cozy. Well, guess what? You can capture that magical feeling without all the fuss! I’m so excited to share this recipe for a Lazy Baker’s Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake. Seriously, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s ridiculously easy, incredibly delicious, and practically foolproof, you’ve found your new best friend.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: We’re talking minimal prep time, leaving you more time to relax!
- Easy: Forget rolling, proving, and shaping. This is as simple as opening packages and layering.
- Giftable: Bring this to a potluck or neighbor’s house – it’s always a hit!
- Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist the classic combo of cinnamon rolls and coffee cake? Everyone loves it!
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the hardest part, and even that’s a breeze!
- 2 packages cinnamon rolls (8 count each): Yep, the refrigerated kind you find in the bakery section! I like to grab the ones with extra frosting.
- 16 ounces cream cheese frosting: This is our luscious binder! You can use a store-bought tub or the frosting that comes with your cinnamon rolls if it’s enough.
- 21.5 ounces cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix: This is the magic ingredient that transforms everything into a warm, comforting coffee cake dream.
- ¾ cup butter, thinly sliced: Sliced thinly helps it melt evenly and create that perfect gooey topping.
How to Make It
Ready to bake something amazing with minimal effort? Let’s do this!
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, let’s get that oven nice and warm. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C).
- Layer the Cinnamon Rolls: Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Unroll your cinnamon rolls and arrange them in a single layer at the bottom. Don’t worry if they’re a little squished together – they’ll spread out as they bake.
- Add the Creamy Frosting: Open up that tub of cream cheese frosting and pour it evenly over the cinnamon rolls. Try to get it into all the little nooks and crannies!
- Sprinkle the Coffee Cake Mix: Now, take your cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix and sprinkle it evenly all over the frosting. This is going to create that beautiful, crumbly coffee cake topping.
- Top with Butter: Lastly, take your thinly sliced butter and arrange the slices on top of the dry cake mix. This will melt and create that irresistible golden, bubbly crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden brown color and for those edges to be bubbly and inviting.
- Let it Cool (If You Can!): Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool down just a little bit. I know, the smell is torture, but it makes it much easier to serve and enjoy!
Substitutions & Additions
This dump cake is fantastic as is, but you can totally play around with it!
- Different Frosting: If you can’t find cream cheese frosting, a vanilla buttercream would also work nicely, though it might be a bit sweeter.
- Add Nuts: For an extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the coffee cake mix before adding the butter.
- Spice it Up: A little extra dash of cinnamon or even nutmeg on top of the coffee cake mix can boost the cozy flavor.
- Berry Delicious: For a touch of fruitiness, you could dot some fresh blueberries or raspberries between the cinnamon roll layers before adding the frosting.
Tips for Success
Here are a few little things I’ve learned to make this even better!
- Don’t Overcrowd: While it’s okay to have the cinnamon rolls touch, try not to pile them on top of each other in the first layer. This helps them bake more evenly.
- Even Butter Distribution: Make sure the butter slices are spread out across the entire top of the cake mix for a consistent golden crust.
- Watch for Browning: Ovens can be finicky! If you notice the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Prep Ahead: You can actually assemble this dump cake a few hours ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake!
How to Store It
Leftovers (if there are any!) are a treat too!
Store any remaining dump cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s delicious served cold, or you can reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I make this in a different size pan?
You can, but you might need to adjust the baking time. For a smaller pan, it might bake faster, and for a larger, shallower pan, it might bake quicker. Always keep an eye on it!
Is this cake supposed to be super gooey?
Yes! The beauty of this dump cake is its moist, gooey texture. The frosting and melted butter create that wonderfully decadent result.
What if I don’t have cream cheese frosting?
As mentioned in substitutions, vanilla frosting or even a simple canned vanilla icing will work in a pinch, though the cream cheese version adds a lovely tang.
Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls?
While this recipe is designed for the convenience of store-bought, you could technically use homemade, but you’d need to adjust the layering and ensure they fit the pan nicely. The ease is the main appeal here!
Lazy Baker's Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Oven preheated to 350°F (175°C)
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 packages refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each) from the bakery section, preferably with extra frosting
- 16 ounces cream cheese frosting store-bought tub or frosting that comes with cinnamon rolls
- 21.5 ounces cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix
- 0.75 cup butter thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Unroll the cinnamon rolls and arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. They can be slightly squished.2 packages refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each)
- Pour the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cinnamon rolls, getting into the nooks and crannies.2 packages refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each)
- Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix evenly over the frosting to create the topping.2 packages refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each)
- Arrange the thinly sliced butter on top of the dry cake mix.2 packages refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 count each)
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
- Let the dump cake cool slightly before serving.