How To Make Honey Bun Cake (Video Included)

This honey bun cake recipe is delicious swirl of cinnamon formed into a cake, if I say so myself.  This honeybun cake is made with simple ingredients such as vegetable oil, boxed cake mix, and powdered sugar just to name a few. It’s then cooked to perfection, then drizzled in some creamy, sweet glaze. This Betty Crocker  warm cake is so moist and flavorful.

You will keep cutting pieces of this cake until you finish every drop! Believe me when I say that this cake is seriously just that good. This honey bun cake  is the true recipe has been around for years in the Southern states such as South Carolina. It has just the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a splash of vanilla. Incredibly easy to recreate. Let’s get down to making this sweet treat. Also, I would like to mention that the full printable recipe card will be below gooey butter cake! 

What are the ingredients for this honey bun cake?

When it comes down to making this honey bun cake from scratch, the ingredients are simple. I had them in my house and maybe you will too but just in case you don’t let me give them to you.

Boxed Yellow Cake Mix– this soul food honey bun cake recipe doesn’t have to be made from scratch. I used yellow cake mix and still came out with a moist cake. Thats why you will love this easy honey bun cake recipe. If this is your first time making this cake. It is going to be a family favorite for sure!

Powdered Sugar- This powder sugar is used to make the pour glaze for this homemade honey bun cake. Also, you can always use the remaining batter for later use.

Brown Sugar–The sugar in this recipe will definitely help with your sweet tooth. This goes well with the cake ingredients and helps to form the perfect slice of cake with the cinnamon swirl, once cooked.

Vegetable Oil– This helps to form the perfect sheet cake. It also helps to combine all of the ingredients together well such as the box of yellow cake mix!

Eggs– If you want a fluffy cake that you can enjoy with a glass of warm milk then you should definitely use the eggs to also make a buttery cake.

Remaining Ingredients

Cinnamon–For the best results in taste make sure that you are using cinnamon. If you want something similar to sweet rolls.

Vanilla Extract–Adding vanilla extract to this honey bun cake recipe can enhance the overall flavor profile and add a subtle sweetness to the cake. Typically, you would add about 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the cake batter. However, it’s always a good idea to follow the specific recipe instructions to ensure the correct balance of flavors.

Milk-You will need a few tablespoon milk to create this easy cake recipe.

Sour Cream–Adding sour cream to your honey bun cake recipe can provide more richness, moisture, and flavor. Typically, you would add about a cup of sour cream to the cake batter. To make it fun and personal, you can mix in different flavorings along with the sour cream.

How To Make Honeybun Cake?

1. Gather all your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

2. Add your brown sugar and cinnamon to a bowl, then mix well.

3. Next, in a bowl, add your yellow cake mix, oil, sour cream, and eggs, then mix those ingredients together well.

4. In a baking dish, add half of the batter and smooth it out.

5. Next, sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the top of the cake batter.

• Drizzle in a small amount of honey over the cake batter. Take a knife and lightly mix the cinnamon mixture into a pattern.

• Add in the remaining cake batter and smooth it out

• Place your honey bun cake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

How to make the glaze for honey bun cake?

Add your powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to a bowl. Mix those ingredients well and glaze over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, and enjoy!

Variations

Here are a few variations you can try in a honey bun cake recipe to make it fun and personal:

Chocolate Twist: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the cake batter along with the sour cream for a chocolatey twist. You can also mix in chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top for extra indulgence.

Nutty Delight: Stir in a cup of chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the cake batter. The nuts will add a delightful crunch and enhance the overall flavor.

Fruit Burst: Fold in a cup of diced fruits like apples, peaches, or berries to the batter. This will add a burst of freshness and a juicy texture to the cake. You can also sprinkle some fruit on top before baking for an eye-catching presentation.

Caramel Sensation: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake batter once it’s poured into the baking pan. The caramel will create pockets of gooey goodness throughout the cake. You can also sprinkle some sea salt on top to create a sweet and salty contrast.

Spiced Surprise: Add a teaspoon of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the cake batter along with the sour cream. These spices will infuse the cake with cozy flavors and make it more aromatic.

Remember, these variations are just suggestions, and you can mix and match according to your preferences. Have fun experimenting and creating your own unique honey bun cake!

Substitutions For Honey Bun Cake

If you don’t have the exact ingredients needed to make a honey bun cake, there are some substitutions that you can make.

Vanilla Extract- For example, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to give the cake an extra zing. You can also add a tablespoon of vanilla extract or almond extract for a hint of sweetness and additional flavor.

Oil-you can use melted butter or coconut oil.

Milk-you can use almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.

Eggs- you can use flax eggs (a combination of ground flaxseed and water).

Cinnamon-you can use allspice or nutmeg.

What to pair with honey bun cake?

Lemon juice– Pair this cake with a side of lemon juice or vanilla ice cream or a couple drizzles of caramel sauce.

In Conclusion

This recipe is perfect for the holiday seasons, if you are lucky to have a leftover slice! I saw this recipe on Betty Crocker’s website, and I immediately remembered my grandmother would make these for the neighborhood during the holidays. I would call this one a southern staple.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you would love my blueberry pound cake recipe.

Well, folks, until next time.