Easy Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake: A Surprisingly Moist & Flavorful Treat for Any Time

Prepare to be delightfully surprised! This Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake is a true hidden gem. While its unassuming appearance might suggest a plain treat, don’t let it fool you. This cake is incredibly moist, bursting with rich cinnamon flavor, and versatile enough to be the perfect ending to a meal or a comforting start to your day. Baked right in a trusty cast iron skillet, it offers a rustic charm and an irresistible aroma that will fill your kitchen.

Don’t Judge This Book (or Cake!) by Its Cover

Seriously, I’m urging you right now: do not let the simple, brown exterior of this cake in the photo deter you. It’s easy to dismiss it as “just another cake,” but as the old saying goes, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts.” And for this particular Skillet Cake, that wisdom rings especially true, applying both to its tender crumb and its delicate, flavorful topping. What it lacks in flashy frosting or intricate decorations, it more than makes up for in pure, unadulterated deliciousness and a homely, comforting vibe that only a well-baked skillet cake can provide. This isn’t about elaborate presentation; it’s about authentic, heartwarming flavor.

A Culinary Accident That Became a Favorite

Many of the most beloved recipes in my collection started out as complete accidents, and this delightful Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake is a prime example. The day this recipe came into being, I was craving a classic coffee cake – the kind with a generous crumb topping and a hint of cinnamon swirling throughout. Eager to bake, I pulled out one of my many cherished old church cookbooks, a treasure trove of handwritten recipes and community favorites. I quickly found a promising recipe that claimed to be for coffee cake, and after a quick scan, I confirmed I had all the necessary ingredients on hand. So, I enthusiastically began creaming the butter and brown sugar, anticipating that glorious crumb topping.

However, as I continued reading through the directions more carefully, a crucial detail emerged: there was no mention of a crumb topping or filling. This was not the coffee cake I envisioned! Further inspection revealed that the recipe itself felt incomplete, as if someone had forgotten a critical proofreading step. It was a moment of minor kitchen panic – here I was, committed to the base ingredients, with butter and brown sugar already swirling in the mixer, yet without a clear path forward for the coffee cake I truly wanted.

At that point, I had already committed to the foundational ingredients – butter and brown sugar were creaming away, filling the kitchen with their sweet aroma. I briefly considered creating my own crumb topping on the fly, but a wave of delightful laziness washed over me. Instead, I decided to simplify. I mixed together a quick blend of cinnamon and sugar – a classic, comforting duo – and simply decided to go with it. My intention was to bake a basic, unassuming cake. Something humble, not necessarily for sharing, just a little something sweet to satisfy my baking itch. The ambitious coffee cake, I decided, could wait for another day.

Little did I know, this spontaneous decision would lead to the creation of an unexpected masterpiece, a Homemade Skillet Cake that would quickly become a family favorite. Sometimes, the best recipes truly are born from the most unexpected circumstances.

The Irresistible Qualities of This Simple Skillet Cake

This Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake truly is a delightful surprise for your taste buds. As mentioned, it doesn’t boast an elaborate appearance; it’s just a wonderfully inviting brown cake. However, take a closer look, and you’ll immediately appreciate its subtle beauty and depth of flavor. You’ll notice delicate flecks of aromatic cinnamon woven throughout its incredibly tender crumb, promising warmth with every bite. And then there’s the topping – a thin, delicate crust of perfectly caramelized cinnamon sugar that melts in your mouth, adding just the right touch of sweetness and texture without overpowering the cake itself.

What truly sets this cake apart is its exceptional moisture. Each forkful is incredibly soft and tender, proving that you don’t need heavy glazes or layers of frosting to achieve a truly satisfying dessert. In fact, this cake is so inherently delicious that it honestly doesn’t need anything extra. The optional Cinnamon Whipped Cream, while a divine addition, is truly just the “icing on the cake,” elevating an already perfect treat to an even more luxurious experience. Its light, airy texture and hint of spice complement the rich flavors of the cake beautifully, making it an ideal pairing for either dessert or a special breakfast. Whether you enjoy it warm from the oven or cooled, this cake delivers pure comfort and flavor.

Baking this cake in a cast iron skillet also adds a special touch. Not only does it ensure beautifully even baking, but it also creates a wonderfully rustic presentation that’s perfect for serving directly from oven to table. The skillet helps create that subtly crisp bottom and edges while keeping the interior perfectly moist. It’s a simple baking method that yields impressive results every time.

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Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

For the Topping

2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add in cinnamon and eggs, one at a time.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt.
Alternating, add flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture, making sure to blend well after each addition.
Spoon batter into a greased 9 inch cast iron skillet, gently pushing batter to the edges.
Combine sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle over entire surface of cake.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 38-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes before serving warm or let cool completely. Serve with a dollop of Cinnamon Whipped Cream.
Make the whipped cream. Using a mixer, beat cream, sugar and cinnamon until peaks form.

Notes

This can also be made in a 9 inch cake pan.

recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com

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Craving More Delicious Cake Recipes?

If you’ve fallen in love with the simple elegance and comforting flavors of this Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skillet Cake, you’re in for a treat! We have a whole collection of irresistible cake recipes that are just as easy to make and equally delightful. From other skillet favorites to rich bundt cakes, there’s a perfect cake for every occasion and craving. Explore these other fantastic options to keep your sweet tooth satisfied:

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cake: A delightful one-pan wonder, this butter cake is studded with chocolate chips and requires no frosting!

Chocolate Applesauce Bundt Cake: Made with applesauce for incredible moisture, this chocolate bundt cake is a timeless classic.

Cranberry Walnut Vanilla Pound Cake: A festive and flavorful pound cake, ideal for special occasions or a cozy afternoon tea.

Sugar Crumb Cake: If you love a good crumb topping, this simple sugar crumb cake will hit all the right notes.

Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake: A fantastic fall treat, this bundt cake is rich with pumpkin and a delightful blend of spices.

Chocolate Syrup Swirl Bundt Cake: A stunning bundt cake featuring elegant swirls of rich chocolate syrup for a truly decadent experience.

Each of these recipes brings its own unique charm and flavor, proving that a homemade cake is always a good idea. Happy baking!