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Gooey Pull-Apart Graduation Cake Recipe Easy Cinnamon Swirl Treat

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A quick and easy cinnamon swirl pull-apart cake that’s gooey, sticky, and perfect for celebrations like graduations. Made with simple pantry staples and baked in a bundt pan for a festive, shareable dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (40g) granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp or 7g) active dry yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (180ml) warm whole milk (around 110°F/43°C)
  • 3 tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed (dark brown preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted (for brushing between layers)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for glaze, optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) whole milk or cream (for glaze, optional)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze, optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by whisking warm milk (110°F/43°C), sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit until frothy and bubbly (5-7 minutes).
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a dough hook for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (60-75 minutes).
  4. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt butter separately for brushing.
  5. Punch down the dough and roll out into a 12×15-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
  6. Brush dough evenly with melted butter, then sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the surface.
  7. Cut dough into 1.5-inch wide strips, stack strips, then cut stack into 1.5-inch squares.
  8. Grease a 9-inch bundt pan well. Place squares vertically into the pan, packing snugly.
  9. Cover loosely and let dough rise again until puffy (30-40 minutes).
  10. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
  11. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack.
  12. Drizzle with vanilla glaze while still warm, if desired.

Notes

Avoid over-kneading the dough to keep it soft and elastic. Brush butter while warm to help cinnamon sugar stick and melt. Use a warm spot for proofing to ensure good rise. Cover with foil if top browns too quickly during baking. Cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. Leftovers keep well for 2 days at room temp or up to 2 months frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: pull-apart cake, cinnamon swirl, graduation cake, easy dessert, cinnamon roll cake, bundt cake, gooey cake, celebration dessert

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/gooey-pull-apart-graduation-cake-recipe-easy-cinnamon-swirl-treat/