• Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C. Line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang.

Cinnamon topping:

• Melt the butter and let it cool slightly so it is still liquid but not hot.

  ½ cup unsalted butter
• Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt until smooth. Set aside. The cinnamon topping should be fluid but not hot when you add it.

  ½ cup brown sugar + 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon + 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour + 1 pinch salt

Cake batter:

• Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  ½ cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter + ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

  3 large eggs + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the batter in 2–3 additions, alternating with the milk, and stir briefly after each addition until just combined. Do not mix longer than necessary.

  2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour + 3 teaspoons baking powder + ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt + 1 cup whole milk

Assemble and bake:

• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
• Add cinnamon topping: Drop the cinnamon mixture in small dollops evenly over the batter. Swirl the topping
• Make the swirl: Using a knife or fork, start at one dollop and gently drag it through the batter to the next, repeating across the pan to form a loose swirl pattern. Keep the movements light and do not overmix so that you keep visible cinnamon streaks.
• Bake the cinnamon cake for about 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Make the glaze:

• Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the confectioner’s sugar and mix until creamy.

  2 tablespoons unsalted butter + 6 ½ tablespoons cream cheese + 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• Finish the cake: Spread the glaze over the hot cake. Let it cool in the pan, then lift it out using the parchment paper or cut it directly in the dish. Sprinkle with a little more cinnamon before serving.

  a sprinkle of cinnamon