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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.

Honey Bun Cake in a baking dish sliced with a serving on a spatula
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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 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

Honey Bun Cake Ingredients - Cake Mix, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, powdered sugar, milk

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. 
Yellow cake mix, sour cream, eggs, vanilla extract, and oil mixed together in a bowl with a spatula with a bowl of brown sugar on the side

Step 2 – Stir together the cake mix, sour cream, eggs vanilla extract and vegetable oil together in a large bowl.  

Cake batter in a baking dish, with a bowl of brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and a bowl of cake batter

Step 3 – In a separate small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. 

Cake batter spread in a baking dish

Step 4 – Pour half of the batter in the prepared 9X13 baking dish.  

Cinnamon and brown sugar mixture topped on cake batter in baking dish

Step 5 – Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture on top of the cake batter. 

Cake batter spread in the baking dish

Step 6 – Pour the remaining cake batter on top.  Gently swirl the batter a few times together with cinnamon sugar mixture with a knife. 

Baked Cake in the baking dish

Step 7 – Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. 

Combining the glaze ingredients in a bowl with the baked cake on the side

Step 8 – Stir together the icing ingredients in a bowl.

Honey bun cake in a baking dish

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.

Honey bun cake in a baking dish

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftover Cake

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.

When Do I Add the Glaze to the Cake?

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.

How Do You Know When Cake is Finishing Cooking?

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.

Square piece of honey bun cake on a plate with a fork

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

5 from 1 vote
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.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 240

Ingredients

For the Icing:

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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!

Recipe Notes

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 240kcal, Carbohydrates 33g, Protein 2g, Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 33mg, Sodium 166mg, Potassium 98mg, Fiber 0.5g, Sugar 26g, Vitamin A 103IU, Vitamin C 0.1mg, Calcium 52mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 1 vote

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  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    This cake turned out so moist and full of cinnamon flavor!