Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll Cake (Sheet Style)

If you love cinnamon rolls but don’t love working with yeast, long rising times, or rolling dough, this Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll Cake (Sheet Style) is about to become your new favorite bake.

It has everything you crave in a classic cinnamon roll—soft, tender cake, gooey cinnamon swirls, and a sweet glaze—but with a rich peanut butter twist and baked conveniently in a sheet pan. No kneading. No rising. No fuss.

This cake is perfect for brunch, holidays, potlucks, or anytime you want something cozy and impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

• No yeast required
• Quick and beginner-friendly
• Soft, fluffy cake texture
• Thick peanut butter cinnamon swirl
• Perfect for feeding a crowd
• Easy to slice and serve

It tastes like a cross between a cinnamon roll and a peanut butter coffee cake—sweet, nutty, warm, and comforting.

Ingredients

This recipe makes one 9×13-inch sheet cake (about 12–15 servings).

For the Cake Batter:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the Peanut Butter Cinnamon Swirl:

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

For the Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional, for extra flavor)

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper for easy removal, if desired.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, combine milk, eggs, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and melted butter. Whisk until smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix—this keeps the cake soft and tender.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. The batter will be thick, but that’s perfect.

Step 3: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cinnamon Swirl

In a medium bowl, mix together:

• Peanut butter
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Melted butter

Stir until thick and smooth.

Drop spoonfuls of the swirl mixture evenly across the top of the cake batter.

Using a butter knife, gently swirl the mixture through the batter in a figure-eight motion. Don’t over-swirl—you want visible ribbons of peanut butter cinnamon throughout.

Step 4: Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes.

The center should be set, and a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the swirl) should come out clean.

Avoid overbaking—this cake is meant to be soft and slightly gooey in the swirl areas.

Let cool for 10–15 minutes before glazing.

Step 5: Make the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and peanut butter (if using) until smooth.

Adjust consistency as needed:

• Too thick? Add a splash of milk.
• Too thin? Add more powdered sugar.

Drizzle generously over the warm cake.

The glaze will seep into the swirls slightly, creating that classic cinnamon roll feel.

Texture & Flavor Breakdown

• Cake Base: Soft, fluffy, lightly sweet with a subtle peanut butter richness
• Swirl: Gooey, cinnamon-forward, nutty, and caramelized
• Glaze: Sweet, creamy finish that ties everything together

Every bite gives you warm cinnamon spice and creamy peanut butter comfort.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Use room-temperature ingredients for even mixing.
• Don’t skip the flour in the swirl—it helps keep it thick and layered instead of sinking.
• Swirl gently for defined cinnamon ribbons.
• Let the cake cool slightly before glazing so it doesn’t melt completely.
• For extra richness, warm slices for 10 seconds in the microwave before serving.

Variations to Try

1. Cream Cheese Glaze Version

Swap the glaze for a cream cheese frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

This gives it more traditional cinnamon roll flavor.

2. Crunchy Peanut Butter

Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture in both batter and swirl.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll Cake

Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolate twist.

4. Streusel Topping

Sprinkle a simple crumb topping over the cake before baking for extra texture:

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter

5. Salted Finish

Lightly sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after glazing for a sweet-salty contrast.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps well for 5 days. Warm before serving.
• Freezer: Wrap individual slices and freeze up to 2 months.

This cake reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep or make-ahead brunches.

Serving Ideas

• Serve warm with coffee or chai
• Add fresh berries for balance
• Pair with vanilla ice cream for dessert
• Cut into small squares for potlucks
• Drizzle extra peanut butter before serving

It’s versatile enough for breakfast or dessert.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the batter: Leads to a dense cake.
Overbaking: Dries out the cake and hardens the swirl.
Skipping the swirl flour: Can cause the mixture to sink.
Too much swirling: Blends layers instead of creating ribbons.

Keep it simple and gentle for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but stir well first. If it’s very runny, reduce the melted butter slightly in the swirl.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Can I reduce the sugar?
You can slightly reduce the granulated sugar in the batter, but the swirl depends on sugar for that gooey texture.

Does it taste strongly like peanut butter?
It’s balanced. The peanut butter enhances richness without overpowering the cinnamon.

Final Thoughts

Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll Cake (Sheet Style) is everything you love about cinnamon rolls—minus the work—with a nutty, comforting twist.

It’s soft, swirled, sweet, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for brunch tables, cozy weekends, or anytime you want something warm and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.