Start with a cake mix and transform into this Honey Bun Cake. Add a few additional ingredients to create and delicious cake that the whole family will love.
This easy cake recipe is made with simple ingredients and topped with a homemade glaze. The cake mixture is filled with a cinnamon and brown sugar center to create a delicious homemade cake recipe.
If you loved the classic Honey Bun treat, then you will love this cake. Cinnamon desserts are always a family favorite. Try some of them for your next family gathering – Easy Cinnamon Bundt Cake Recipe, Easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe and Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe.
What's in this post: Honey Bun Cake
What is a Honey Bun Cake?
This yellow cake is made easily because it starts with a cake mix. Then a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture is swirled into the cake batter. The moist cake is then topped with a vanilla glaze which makes it similar to the classic treat
This cake can be made in a bundt pan, regular size cake pan or as a sheet pan.
Ingredients
- Light Brown Sugar – If out you are out, check out these Best Brown Sugar Substitutes
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Greek Yogurt – Substitute the sour cream with yogurt.
- Cinnamon Sugar Layer – We used brown sugar for this layer but you can also use granulated sugar.
- Chopped Nuts – For even more flavor and texture, stir in chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Spices – Change up the spices and make this cake with pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
- Cake Mix – Feel free to make this cake with other flavors. Make it with lemon, spice, white cake, and chocolate.
How to Make Honey Bun Cake
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2 – Stir together the cake mix, sour cream, eggs vanilla extract and vegetable oil together in a large bowl.
Step 3 – In a separate small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
Step 4 – Pour half of the batter in the prepared 9X13 baking dish.
Step 5 – Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on top of the cake batter.
Step 6 – Pour the remaining cake batter on top. Gently swirl the batter a few times together with cinnamon sugar mixture with a knife.
Step 7 – Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Step 8 – Stir together the icing ingredients in a bowl.
Step 9 – Pour the icing over the warm cake. Cool the cake completely and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Prepare Baking Dish – Make sure to spray the baking dish with cooking spray before pouring in the batter. This helps to easily serve the cake and makes cleanup a breeze. If you using a bundt cake pan, make sure the center is sprayed also.
- Cinnamon Swirl – Make sure to not over swirl the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter. You want it to have that swirl look but have every bite filled with the cinnamon mixture.
Serving Suggestions
We love to serve this cake for many occasion. We have served at our BBQ’s, breakfast, brunch and even taken it to our church potluck. Everyone loves the taste and the moist crumb.
You can even top with Homemade Whipped Cream or drizzle with strawberry sauce for a delicious variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.
We like to add the glaze to the cake when it has slightly warm. But it can also be added after the cake has cooled. We like the glaze to melt into the cake as it cools.
The best way to tell that the cake is done is use the toothpick method. Insert toothpick in center of cake and if it comes out clean then cake is done. Cooking time will vary depending on the type of pan that you use.
More Easy Cake Recipes
If you make this Honey Bun Cake Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Honey Bun Cake
Ingredients
- 1 Box Yellow Cake Mix 15.25 ounces
- 4 Large Eggs
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 8 ounces Sour Cream
- ¾ cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
For the Icing:
- 2 cups Confectioners Sugar
- ¼ cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Stir together the cake mix, sour cream, eggs vanilla extract and vegetable oil together in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Pour half of the cake batter in the prepared 9X13 pan.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on top of the cake batter.
- Pour the remaining cake batter on top. Gently swirl the batter a few times together with a knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Stir together the icing ingredients in a bowl.
- Pour the icing over the warm cake. Cool the cake completely and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
This is my favorite cake this month I will make for my own birthday ladies!
Phyllis – Wahoo! We love it too! I’m glad you are enjoying it too! Thanks for commenting.
I made this for our Sunday school children as we have treats every other Sunday for them. They love honey buns. But yesterday they all loved it and I asked if this was a keeper recipe. They all voted thumbs up so fast and said we can have it every treat Sunday! ? Thank you, so delicious!
Debbie – Aww this makes me so happy and what a wonderful thing you are doing serving in Sunday School ministry.
This cake turned out so moist and full of cinnamon flavor!