Easy Honey Bun Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Moist Yellow Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Swirl and Vanilla Glaze
Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly delicious Honey Bun Cake, destined to become a new family favorite! Imagine a perfectly moist yellow cake, infused with an irresistible swirl of sweet brown sugar and fragrant cinnamon, all crowned with a luscious vanilla glaze. This remarkably easy cake begins with a simple boxed yellow cake mix, elevated to perfection with the unexpected secret ingredient: sour cream, which guarantees an unparalleled moistness. It’s so good, you might just find yourself reaching for a slice with your morning coffee!
My journey to discovering this delightful dessert began a while back when I was in search of a quick and satisfying treat. All I had on hand was a yellow cake mix, so I turned to Google for inspiration. That’s when this fantastic Betty Crocker Honey Bun Cake recipe appeared, and I realized I had every single ingredient needed! I initially chose to bake this dessert without the chopped pecans in the cinnamon swirl, making it nut-free. However, I’ve since tried it both ways, and it’s absolutely delicious with or without the added crunch of pecans. This recipe truly is a lifesaver when you need a simple yet impressive dessert.
While I originally stumbled upon this gem on a Betty Crocker website, don’t feel limited to a specific brand. Any good quality yellow cake mix will yield a spectacular result. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability and the simple additions that transform a basic cake mix into something extraordinary.
Craving other mouthwatering desserts to add to your repertoire? You absolutely must try my Cowboy Cookies, packed with flavor, or my incredibly smooth and easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie!
Discover the Irresistible Charm of Homemade Honey Bun Cake
This sweet treat is more than just a cake; it’s a delightful journey back in time! Do you remember those fantastically sweet Little Debbie Honey Buns you savored as a child? (And let’s be honest, many of us still indulge in those sticky, sweet rolls — no judgment here!). This homemade Honey Bun Cake perfectly captures that sticky, satisfying sweetness and nostalgic charm of a store-bought honey bun, but with the added warmth and love of a freshly baked cake. It’s a dessert that speaks to the heart, evoking fond memories with every bite.
Get ready to enjoy this incredibly easy Honey Bun Cake, crafted with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have stashed in your pantry and refrigerator! Starting with a convenient box of cake mix makes this dessert unbelievably effortless, ideal for busy weeknights or unexpected guests. The magic truly happens with the addition of a rich, aromatic cinnamon swirl, created by mixing flavorful brown sugar, aromatic ground cinnamon, and, if you desire, finely chopped pecans for a delightful texture contrast. To finish, this golden cake is generously topped with a warm, velvety vanilla glaze that melts into the cake, enhancing its sweetness and creating that signature sticky-bun appeal.
This moist cake is a guaranteed future family favorite, versatile enough to serve as an impressive dessert after dinner or as a comforting breakfast cake alongside a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee. While a standard 9×13 inch baking pan works beautifully, don’t hesitate to experiment with a bundt cake pan for a more elegant presentation. No matter how you bake it, this honey bun cake is sure to impress.
For those who adore baking moist bundt cakes, explore these other fantastic recipes to make at home: my bright and zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, the delightful Blueberry Banana Bundt Cake, or the decadent Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Bundt Cake recipe!
Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Honey Bun Cake with Sweet Vanilla Glaze
This recipe truly shines by using a handful of incredibly simple ingredients, many of which you likely already have tucked away in your refrigerator or pantry! For precise measurements and the complete list, remember to scroll down to the full recipe card below.
FOR THE CAKE
- Yellow Cake Mix: The foundation of our easy cake! Feel free to use your absolute favorite brand, whether it’s Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, or Duncan Hines. Many bakers rave about how delicious Duncan Hines Golden Butter Cake Mix works in this recipe, adding an extra layer of richness. If you’re feeling ambitious, a homemade yellow cake recipe can also be adapted.
- Vegetable Oil: This key ingredient is crucial for imparting extra moisture to the cake, ensuring it stays wonderfully tender and never dry. You can also use other neutral oils like canola oil.
- Eggs: Eggs are essential for providing structure to the cake, binding the ingredients together, and contributing to a rich flavor and beautiful golden color in your baked goods.
- Sour Cream: This is the secret weapon for an unbelievably moist and tender cake! Sour cream adds a fantastic soft, fluffy texture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. Full-fat sour cream is recommended for the best results, but Greek yogurt can be a substitute in a pinch.
- Brown Sugar: A vital component of the sweet, gooey cinnamon swirl, brown sugar provides a deeper, more caramel-like flavor compared to white sugar, and its moistness contributes to the swirl’s delicious texture.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans are an optional but highly recommended addition, offering a delightful crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the cinnamon and brown sugar perfectly. If you’re not a fan of pecans, or have nut allergies, they can easily be omitted or replaced with walnuts.
- Ground Cinnamon: There is simply no substitute for the warm, aromatic spice of cinnamon! It is the star of the “honey bun” flavor, imparting that classic, comforting taste throughout the cake’s delicious swirl.
FOR THE GLAZE
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar forms the smooth, creamy base for our irresistible vanilla glaze. Its powdery consistency ensures a silky-smooth finish.
- Milk: Just a touch of milk helps to achieve the perfect pourable consistency for the glaze, making it thick enough to coat the cake beautifully but thin enough to drizzle and spread evenly. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is crucial for infusing the glaze with that lovely, classic vanilla flavor, enhancing the overall sweetness and aroma of the cake. Always opt for pure vanilla for the best taste.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Bake the Perfect Honey Bun Cake from a Box Mix
My recipe for this delectable honey bun dessert is incredibly straightforward and quick to prepare, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels! For even more detailed instructions and helpful tips, please scroll down to the comprehensive recipe card below.
PREP
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your cake goes in, promoting even baking. Next, prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by generously spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. Alternatively, you can grease it with butter or shortening and lightly dust it with all-purpose flour, tapping out any excess. This crucial step prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal. Set your prepared pan aside.
MIX THE BATTER
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Using your electric mixer (either a stand mixer or a hand mixer), start mixing on low speed for about 30 seconds. This initial low-speed mixing helps to moisten all the dry ingredients without creating a cloud of flour. Once the ingredients are moistened and just combined, increase the mixer speed to medium and continue beating for another 2 minutes. Make sure to occasionally scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the batter is smooth and lump-free.
PREPARE THE SWIRL
In a small, separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Use a fork to thoroughly mix these ingredients together until they are evenly distributed and no clumps of brown sugar remain. If you’re opting to add the chopped pecans, stir them in at this stage as well. This creates the flavorful, aromatic swirl that makes this cake so special.
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE
Carefully spread approximately half of your prepared cake batter into the bottom of the greased 9×13 inch pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread it into an even layer. Next, sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Try to cover as much surface as possible for an even swirl. Finally, pour the remaining cake batter over the cinnamon sugar layer. Take care to gently spread this top layer to completely cover the cinnamon sugar, trying not to disturb the layer too much. For a more pronounced swirl, you can gently drag a knife through the batter after applying the second layer.
BAKE TO PERFECTION
Place the assembled cake into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. The cake is done when it reaches a beautiful deep golden brown color, and when a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to a dry cake. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven. While it’s still warm, use the tines of a fork to generously prick holes all over the top surface of the cake. These holes will allow the warm vanilla glaze to seep down, infusing every bite with extra sweetness and moisture.
GLAZE AND SERVE
While the cake is still warm from the oven, quickly prepare your glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and pure vanilla extract until completely smooth and free of lumps. The consistency should be pourable but thick enough to coat a spoon. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (a quarter teaspoon at a time) until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. Immediately pour and spread this warm, creamy glaze evenly over the pricked, warm cake. The warmth of the cake will help the glaze melt slightly and soak into the holes, creating that signature honey bun texture.
STORE FOR LATER ENJOYMENT
Allow the Honey Bun Cake to cool completely on a wire rack before serving, allowing the glaze to set. Once cooled, store the cake covered tightly in an airtight container at room temperature. Properly stored, this delightful cake will remain fresh and delicious for at least 4-5 days. It’s perfect for making ahead for parties or enjoying throughout the week as a satisfying snack or breakfast treat. You can even freeze individual slices for longer storage; just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil.
Love This Recipe? Pin It to Your Favorite Boards!
Don’t let this incredible, easy-to-make sweet cake recipe slip away! Be sure to save it for later by pinning it to your favorite dessert or baking board on Pinterest. It’s the perfect way to remember where you found your new go-to Honey Bun Cake!
An Affair from the Heart Featured in Omaha Magazine’s Annual Food Edition!
Before you dive into baking this delightful cake, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting personal news that happened just last week! I had the immense honor of being featured in Omaha Magazine’s 2022 Food Edition. This has been a long-held dream and a significant bucket list item for me, so being asked to participate was absolutely thrilling!
I was actually out of town when the magazine arrived, and a dear friend texted me, buzzing with excitement, to tell me she saw me in it. You can imagine how eager I was to get back home and hold a copy in my own hands!
As soon as I returned home, my youngest daughter graciously snapped a quick photo or two of me proudly holding the magazine. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible team at Omaha Magazine for including my work and passion in their esteemed publication! It truly meant the world to me.
If you’re curious to read the full article and learn more about my culinary journey, you can easily access it online, even if you’re not a subscriber. Enjoy!
Other Sweet Recipes to Enjoy and Explore
- Baked King Cake Donuts(Delicious Cinnamon Vanilla Donuts)
- Fun Candy Corn Cupcakes
- Bright Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
- Whimsical Hamburger Cupcakes
- Tropical Coconut Pudding Poke Cake
- Classic Raisin Spice Bars
- Rich Black Forest Cake
- Hearty Fresh Apple Cake
Now, let’s gather our ingredients and bake up this incredible cinnamon roll-inspired cake!
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Print Recipe
Honey Bun Cake
Equipment
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Rubber Spatulas – Essential for scraping down bowls and gently spreading batter.
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer – Makes mixing the batter quick and effortless.
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer – A great alternative if you don’t have a stand mixer, perfect for smaller batches.
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9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid – The ideal size for this cake, and a lid makes storage incredibly convenient.
Ingredients
- FOR THE CAKE:
- 1 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix (any brand works!)
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup one 8 ounce container sour cream (full-fat recommended for best moisture)
- 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed, for the cinnamon swirl
- 1/3 cup pecans chopped (optional, but adds a great crunch!)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- FOR THE GLAZE:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk (or more, to reach desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Prepare a 9×13″ baking dish by generously spraying it with non-stick cooking spray, or greasing and lightly flouring it. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, using your electric mixer, combine the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds until the ingredients are just moistened. Increase mixer to medium speed and beat for another 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure a smooth batter.
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In a small, separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon with a fork until thoroughly mixed. If you are using chopped pecans, stir them into this mixture now.
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Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture evenly over this layer of batter. Then, carefully pour the remaining cake batter over the top and gently spread it to completely cover the cinnamon sugar layer. You can use a knife to gently swirl the layers if desired.
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Bake the cake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, while it’s still warm, use the tines of a fork to generously prick holes all over the top surface of the cake. This will allow the glaze to soak in beautifully.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and pure vanilla extract until smooth. Pour and spread this warm glaze evenly over the warm, pricked cake. Add a little more milk if needed to achieve your desired pourable, yet thick, glaze consistency.
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Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before serving, giving the glaze time to set. Store any leftovers covered tightly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.