Light, tender crumb. Warm cinnamon ribbon. Crisp golden top.

The kind of cake that disappears in “just one more small slice” increments.

Perfect for:

• Afternoon tea
• Weekend reset baking
• Something simple after richer bakes
• Freezing in slices for future you

Scaled for a small loaf tin or 18cm round tin (4–6 slices).

Because we bake for real life here.

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🍂 Why Cinnamon Is the Ultimate Autumn Flavour

Cinnamon:

• Feels warm without being heavy
• Works with tea or coffee
• Enhances sweetness without adding more sugar
• Makes your kitchen smell incredible

It’s comfort without excess.

And that’s very Plan4One.

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🛒 Ingredients (1 Small Cake – 4–6 Slices)

Cake Batter

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¼ cup caster sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup neutral oil
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla

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Cinnamon Swirl

• 1½ tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Optional topping:

• 1 tsp raw sugar for crunch

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👩‍🍳 Method

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 170°C (fan 160°C).

Line or grease your small tin.

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2️⃣ Make the Cinnamon Mix

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

Set aside.

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3️⃣ Mix the Batter

Whisk egg and sugar until slightly lighter.

Add oil, milk, and vanilla.

In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture gently.

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4️⃣ Layer & Swirl

Pour half the batter into the tin.

Sprinkle half the cinnamon mixture evenly over.

Add remaining batter.

Sprinkle remaining cinnamon mixture on top.

Use a knife to gently swirl through the batter once or twice.

Do not over-swirl — you want ribbons, not brown batter.

Sprinkle raw sugar on top if using.

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5️⃣ Bake

Bake 35–40 minutes or until golden and a skewer comes out clean.

Cool in tin 10 minutes before transferring to rack.

Let cool before slicing for clean swirl lines.

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✨ Optional Variations

• Add 1 tbsp yoghurt for extra softness
• Stir 1 tbsp chopped walnuts into swirl mix
• Add a pinch nutmeg to cinnamon layer
• Light drizzle of icing glaze (1 tbsp icing sugar + splash milk)

But honestly? It doesn’t need much.

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🥗 Nutritional Highlights (Per Slice – Approximate)

• Moderate sugar
• Lower fat than butter-heavy tea cakes
• Balanced portion size
• Comfort without overload

Simple bakes often feel the most satisfying.

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🧊 Storage & Freezer Tips

• Room temp: 3 days airtight
• Fridge: 5 days
• Freezer: Slice and wrap individually up to 3 months

Reheat:

• 15–20 seconds microwave
• Or lightly toast a slice

It’s excellent slightly warm.

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💡 Plan4One Smart Baking Tips

• Don’t overmix — it toughens crumb.
• Keep swirl gentle.
• Want stronger flavour? Increase cinnamon slightly.
• Watching sugar? Reduce swirl by ½ tbsp.

This cake is adaptable and forgiving.

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☕ Perfect Pairings

• English breakfast tea
• Flat white
• Long black
• Or eaten quietly at 9pm because you “just wanted something small”

We see you.

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🍁 Why This Works for Plan4One Readers

You don’t need layered celebration cakes.

You need:
✔ Small-batch baking
✔ Freezer flexibility
✔ Pantry staples
✔ Balanced sweetness
✔ Recipes that actually get made

Cinnamon Swirl Tea Cake closes our autumn series exactly where it should: warm, simple, practical.

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And that’s our 14-bake Cosy Autumn Baking Series complete.

If you’ve baked along, tell me your favourite — banana bread? apple crumb? maple pecan?

And if you’re just joining, save this series for the next cool weekend.

Because small-batch, balanced baking will always be in season. 🍂