Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
Better-than-takeout Zimtkuchen is a soft, spicy cinnamon roll cake that’s perfect for fall. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly crispy top. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy 4-Ingredient Bunuelos Recipe and Lunch Lady Brownies.
Why This Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy Is Pure Comfort
- Soft and moist cinnamon cake
- Crispy golden top with a hint of crunch
- Warm, comforting spice from cinnamon and nutmeg
- Easy to make and better than takeout
What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: Powdered sugar
- Optional: Cinnamon stick for garnish
📝 Ingredient Notes
- All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level the flour to avoid adding too much.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer — Makes mixing the batter a breeze → See on Amazon
- Silicone Baking Mat — Prevents the cake from sticking and ensures even baking → See on Amazon
How to Make Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract, milk, and dry ingredients until just combined.
- Add cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread half the batter in a greased 9×13-inch pan, then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- : For a crispy top, use a 9×13-inch pan and avoid overbaking.
- : Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- : For a fun twist, add chopped nuts or raisins to the cinnamon swirl.
Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freezing Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: No need to reheat. Enjoy at room temperature. Microwave: Not recommended for reheating.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter texture, use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Best substitution: Substitute the brown sugar with an equal amount of granulated sugar for a less pronounced cinnamon flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8-inch pan for a smaller batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the cake is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Digital Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfect baking every time by accurately measuring the internal temperature of the cake → Check price on Amazon
Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Baking powder
- Salt
Seasonings
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract, milk, and dry ingredients until just combined.
- Add cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread half the batter in a greased 9×13-inch pan, then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter texture, use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Best substitution: Substitute the brown sugar with an equal amount of granulated sugar for a less pronounced cinnamon flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8-inch pan for a smaller batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the cake is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: No need to reheat. Enjoy at room temperature.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended for reheating.
- Make ahead: Prepare the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy FAQs
Yes, prepare the batter and cinnamon swirl mixture up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to bake.
Overmixing the batter or overbaking can cause a dry cake. Mix until just combined and avoid overbaking.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It requires oven baking for even cooking.
Substitute the brown sugar with an equal amount of granulated sugar for a less pronounced cinnamon flavor.
Zimtkuchen is a delicious alternative to cinnamon rolls, offering a soft, spicy cake with a crispy top.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Zimtkuchen | Soft & Spicy and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
