Funny name for a cake, right? But sometimes it’s not about looks—it’s all about flavor and texture, and this Ugly Cinnamon Butter Cake delivers on both! It starts with a soft, tender cake layered with a subtle cinnamon swirl right through the center. But the real magic? A melted butter streusel topping that sinks into the cake while it bakes, creating sweet pockets of cinnamon-spiced goodness in every bite.
What’s even better—this easy cinnamon cake starts with a simple boxed cake mix, making it perfect for busy days or beginner bakers. It’s incredibly moist, full of warm flavor, and impossible to resist. If you want to dress it up, feel free to dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle on a light glaze. I hope you give it a try—it may not be the prettiest, but it might just become your new favorite!
Perfect cake all year long! Even great for a little mid morning treat!
I have 2 other cinnamon cakes on this blog, because I LOVE cinnamon. (Almost as much as chocolate, shhhh!) Try these recipes next, Cinnamon Crumb Cake, Moistest Cinnamon Bundt Cake.
Ingredients
- Betty Crocker Butter Recipe cake mix
- milk
- eggs
- butter
- sour cream
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- brown sugar
- flour
See recipe card for exact quantities
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine all cake batter ingredients and beat for 2 minutes.
- Step 2: Pour half of the batter into pan and layer on the cinnamon swirl mixture.
- Step 3: Pour on rest of batter and gently smooth out so it covers the entire pan.
- Step 4: Mix streusel ingredients and drop all over the top of the cake and then bake.
Hint: No need to swirl the middle cinnamon layer. It can swirl in when spreading the second batter, but does not need to be swirled all together.
Variations
- Fall Time - Split the cinnamon measurements and do half cinnamon and half pumpkin pie spice! Gives it a holiday feel
- Deluxe - Add ⅓ cup chopped pecans into the streusel mixture for a crunch throughout the cake.
- Presentation - Dusting with powdered sugar or adding a simple glaze will enhance the appearance.
Equipment
Quality kitchen tools make baking so much more enjoyable. I love my Kitchen Aid stand mixer and a good quality pan! Here is a LINK to some of my favorite tools!
Storage
This cake is amazing for 3-4 days in an airtight container! ENJOY!
Top Tip
Using the melted butter in the streusel allows it to seep more into the cake giving it the pockets of cinnamon. Also, creating the crater look on top of the cake.
FAQ
You can! But...subbing milk for water and adding a Tablespoon of sour cream and a dash of vanilla makes it SO MUCH BETTER!
Use any Butter Recipe cake mix. Just sub out the water for milk. Add a Tablespoon of sour cream and a couple dashes of vanilla or half a cap full.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Ugly Cinnamon Butter Cake
Ingredients
- 13.25 oz Butter Recipe Boxed Cake Mix I used Betty Crocker Super Moist
- 1 cup milk or simply sub milk for water equivalent on your cake mix
- ⅓ cup butter, softened or what your cake mix calls for
- 3 eggs or what your cake mix calls for
- 1 Tbsp sour cream heaping
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon Swirl Layer
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 tsp cinnamon
Cinnamon Streusel Topping
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoon butter melted
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350℉ and grease a 9x13 pan.
- Prepare the cinnamon swirl layer in a bowl by combing the sugar and cinnamon and mixing well.
- Prepare the streusel topping in a separate bowl by mixing all together using a fork and fluffing and breaking apart clumps. It should be clumps of streusels.
- Mix all cake mix ingredients in a stand mixer or using a hand mixer beat for 2 minutes.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread out evenly. Sprinkle on the swirl mixture until it coats the entire layer.
- Pour on the rest of the batter and using a butter knife or spreader, spread that layer all over until it covers edge to edge. It will all spread. Trust the process.
- Sprinkle the streusel layer onto the top making sure it is all used and covers the surface.
- Bake according to package directions. Mine is finished at 28 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean.
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