Honey Bun Cake Recipe | Easy Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cake

This Honey Bun Cake is a delicious nod to your favorite snack cake! Made with super simple pantry ingredients, this dessert recipe is easy enough for beginning bakers and is guaranteed to be a hit with anyone who has a sweet tooth.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Dessert

• Staple Ingredients. Use ingredients that are traditionally found in a well-stocked pantry—no trips needed to the supermarket for an ingredient you’ll only use for this recipe.
• Super Versatile. Use some of the swaps listed below to adjust the flavors and textures of this cake for a customizable dessert your whole family will love.
• Easy To Make. Follow a few simple steps for a dessert simple enough for the kids to help with. It’s a recipe simple enough I can guarantee it will turn out perfect every time!

What Does Honey Bun Cake Taste Like?

Honey Bun Cake tastes like a warm, spiced, and moist dessert that combines the best qualities of a classic honey bun and a moist, flavorful cake. Honey Bun Cake is perfect for those who love comforting, bakery-style treats with a balance of sweetness, spice, and moist texture!

I’ll be the first to tell you that this doesn’t taste EXACTLY like a honey bun, but it is so delicious you won’t care that it’s not identical. My taste testers (kids and husband) say it tastes like a combination of coffee cake and a carrot cake without the carrots.

Ingredients To Grab

• Yellow Cake Mix– The base of the cake, provides structure, sweetness, and flavor. It simplifies the preparation process while delivering a tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil– Adds moisture and richness to the cake, making it soft and tender.
• Sour Cream– Enhances the cake’s moisture and adds a subtle tanginess to balance the sweetness.
• Eggs– Bind the ingredients together, provide structure, and add richness to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract– Enhances the flavor of the cake and frosting by adding warmth and depth.
• Brown Sugar– Adds sweetness and a rich, molasses-like flavor to the cinnamon swirl layer.
• Ground Cinnamon– Provides warmth and a distinct spiced flavor to the cake’s swirl.
• Ground Nutmeg– Adds a subtle, nutty depth to the spiced layer.
• Powdered Sugar– Used in the glaze to add sweetness and create a smooth, glossy finish.
• Heavy Cream– Combines with powdered sugar to create a creamy, rich glaze for the cake.

Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the Honey Bun Cake’s signature flavors and textures, from the moist cake base to the spiced swirl and creamy glaze. Together, they transform simple pantry staples into a nostalgic, bakery-worthy dessert!

How To Make Honey Bun Cake

Combine the cake mix. Pour the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract into a large mixing bowl. Stir, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl, until well combined.

Create the sweet filling. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.

Prepare and pour. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour half of the cake batter into the bottom of the pan.

Sprinkle the filling. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over half of the cake mixture.

Pour and swirl. Pour the remaining cake batter over the top of the brown sugar cinnamon layer. Use a toothpick to lightly swirl the brown sugar cinnamon layer into the top layer of batter.

Bake and cool. Place the assembled cake into an oven heated to 350F. Allow it to bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature.

Create the glaze. Once the cake has cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and remaining vanilla extract in a bowl. It should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon or slightly thicker.

Frost and enjoy. Use a silicone spatula to spread the glaze across the cake in an even layer. Cut into 12 equal pieces, serve, and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your Honey Bun Cake turns out perfectly every time:

• Check with a toothpick. The texture of this cake can be deceptive. It may feel like it seems slightly jiggly on top still at the end of the cooking time. As long as the toothpick comes out clean, it is ready to pull out of the oven. It will continue to cook slightly with the residual heat of the pan as it cools.
• Allow to cool completely. Make sure the cake is cooled to room temperature before adding the glaze. If you try to add the glaze before the cake is cooled, it will melt and pool in any part of the cake that may have dipped or sunk slightly during the cooking process.
• Don’t over swirl. Swirl the top 2/3 of the cake enough to evenly distribute the filling flavor into each piece of cake. If you over swirl the batter, the cake flavor can seem muddled and less appetizing.

Variations

Here are some creative variations for Honey Bun Cake to suit different tastes and occasions:

• Use a different type of cake mix. Swap out the yellow cake mix for a white, spice, or even pound cake mix for a delicious flavor combination. Cook the cake according to the package instructions if you change up the variety of cake or baking dish used.
• Skip the glaze. If this cake is a little too sweet for your tastes, skip the glaze completely. Alternatively you can sprinkle powdered sugar over the warm cake and call it done.
• Add nuts. If you want a more earthy flavor or added texture, stir in some chopped walnuts or pecans before baking.

What To Enjoy With Honey Bun Cake?

If you want to make this Honey Bun Cake a total dessert experience, consider enjoying your next slice with any of the following accompaniments:

• Whipped Topping
• Ice Cream
• Fresh Fruit
• Milk
• Caramel Sauce

How Long Does It Last?

At room temperature, the Honey Bun Cake will last for 2–3 days if kept in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

For longer storage, it can be refrigerated. This will help it stay fresh for up to 5–7 days (if it lasts that long).

Can You Freeze It?

If you want to enjoy the cake at a later time, it freezes exceptionally well. To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Frozen Honey Bun Cake can last for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it at room temperature or warm it gently in the microwave until warm and gooey.

More Tasty Treats

• Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix
• Oreo Poke Cake
• Fruit Pizza Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Banana Pudding Poke Cake

If you love this Honey Bun Cake recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it again next time you need a quick and delicious dessert.