If you have a sweet tooth and love the warm, comforting flavors of honey and cinnamon, then you are going to fall in love with this Honey Bun Cake Recipe. This cake perfectly captures the essence of a gooey honey bun in a moist, tender cake form, drizzled with a luscious glaze that makes every bite feel like a little celebration. Whether you’re making a weekend brunch extra special or just craving something delightful to pair with your afternoon coffee, this Honey Bun Cake Recipe delivers that nostalgic, homemade goodness without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward, yet each plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of moistness, sweetness, and spice that makes this dessert so irresistible.
- Plain yellow cake mix: Provides a light and fluffy base that’s quick to prepare and easy to work with.
- Sour cream: Adds moisture and a touch of tang that keeps the cake tender and rich.
- Oil: Contributes to the cake’s soft texture and keeps it from drying out.
- Large eggs: Give the cake structure and help everything bind together beautifully.
- Honey: Infuses the cake with natural sweetness and a distinctive floral flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds depth and warmth, complementing the honey’s sweetness perfectly.
- Cinnamon: Brings a cozy spice that makes this cake memorable and comforting.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the smooth, sweet glaze that tops the cake.
- Milk: Creates a creamy consistency for the glaze and ties all flavors together.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic notes.
How to Make Honey Bun Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF and lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. This step ensures your cake bakes evenly and releases easily without sticking.
Step 2: Mix Your Batter
In a large bowl, combine the plain yellow cake mix, sour cream, oil, and eggs. Using an electric mixer, start mixing on low speed for one minute to prevent flour clouds, then crank it up to medium and beat for two more minutes until the batter is smooth and slightly thickened. This creates a rich, moist base that sets the stage for all those beautiful flavors.
Step 3: Add the Honey, Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon Swirl
Pour your batter into the prepared pan, then drizzle honey evenly over the top. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon across in a generous layer — this topping is where the magic happens. Grab a knife and gently swirl the mixture into the batter, creating beautiful ribbons that bake into gooey pockets of sweetness.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Place the pan in your oven and bake for 38 to 40 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it nears the end — the cake should be golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. This baking time locks in the moist texture and lets that cinnamon swirl caramelize just right.
Step 5: Prepare the Glaze and Finish
While the cake is baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze. Once the cake comes out of the oven and is still warm, pour the glaze over the top. The warmth helps the glaze soak in slightly, adding a glossy finish and extra sweetness. Let the cake cool at least 20 minutes before slicing for best results.
How to Serve Honey Bun Cake Recipe
Garnishes
While this cake tastes great on its own, you can elevate it with simple garnishes. A light dusting of cinnamon or extra powdered sugar adds delicate sweetness and a pretty presentation. For a bit of crunch and contrast, finely chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top bring richness that pairs wonderfully with the soft cake.
Side Dishes
Honey Bun Cake Recipe pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. If you’re serving it for breakfast or brunch, consider fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples to balance the sweetness. A dollop of whipped cream or a cup of hot coffee also make perfect companions for this cake’s cozy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve the Honey Bun Cake Recipe in individual portions by slicing into squares and placing on cute dessert plates. You can drizzle extra glaze or honey on each serving and top with a small mint leaf for a pop of color. Wrapping individual pieces in wax paper and tying them with rustic twine also makes this cake a charming gift idea for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store leftover Honey Bun Cake Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, refrigeration can keep it fresh for up to a week, though bringing it back to room temperature or warming slightly before serving ensures the best texture.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cake portions can last up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked taste, warm slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. This heating step reactivates the glaze’s softness and brings back that tender, comforting texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix for this Honey Bun Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! While a plain yellow cake mix provides a classic flavor, you can experiment with white or even spice cake mixes to add your own twist. Just keep in mind that the flavors will adjust slightly depending on the mix you choose.
Is there a way to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the regular cake mix with a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Just be sure the mix you choose is labeled gluten-free, and the result will be just as delicious.
Can I substitute honey with another sweetener?
Honey is key to the signature flavor of this cake, but you can try maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives. These will change the flavor subtly but still keep the cake moist and sweet.
How do I prevent the cinnamon swirl from mixing too much with the batter?
To get the perfect swirl effect, drizzle and sprinkle the topping gently and use a light hand while swirling with your knife. The goal is to create visible ribbons, not fully blend, so minimal and slow stirring helps maintain that pattern.
Can this Honey Bun Cake Recipe be made in smaller pans?
You can use smaller pans, but adjust the baking time accordingly. For example, in 8×8-inch pans, reduce baking time by about 10 minutes and keep a close watch on doneness by checking with a toothpick.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to embrace something cozy, sweet, and irresistibly tender, this Honey Bun Cake Recipe is the perfect place to start. It’s easy enough for beginner bakers but special enough to impress family, friends, or yourself on any occasion. Trust me, once you make it, this will become one of your go-to desserts that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Print
Honey Bun Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Honey Bun Cake is a deliciously moist and tender yellow cake swirled with a cinnamon, brown sugar, and honey topping, finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it combines the flavors of a classic honey bun in an easy-to-make sheet cake.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 box plain yellow cake mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup oil
- 4 large eggs
Topping
- â…“ cup honey
- â…“ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- â…“ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, sour cream, oil, and eggs. Using an electric mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 more minutes until smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Add Topping and Swirl: Drizzle the honey evenly over the cake batter. Then sprinkle the packed brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Using a knife, gently swirl the topping into the batter to create a marbled effect.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 38 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth and runny.
- Glaze and Cool: Once the cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the glaze over the warm cake, spreading it gently to cover the surface. Allow the cake to cool at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving to let the glaze set.
Notes
- For extra moisture, do not overbake the cake; start checking at 38 minutes.
- You can substitute the oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- The glaze can be adjusted for thickness by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
