Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze
Inspired by Detroit’s love for simple, sweet treats, this soft sheet cake is topped with a cinnamon sugar crust and drizzled with a smooth vanilla glaze. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter (for glaze)
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Step 3: Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and 1 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground cinnamon with 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Evenly sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
- Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cinnamon sugar topping is slightly caramelized.
- Step 7: While the cake cools, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 2-3 tbsp whole milk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Step 8: Drizzle the vanilla glaze evenly over the warm cake. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Detroit-Style Cinnamon Sugar Sheet Cake with Vanilla Glaze?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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