Honey Bun Cake

Serving up warm squares of this easy Honey Bun Cake is sure to make your family happy! It is made with a thick ribbon of cinnamon sugar swirled through a moist yellow cake mix, then glazed with a sweet and simple icing to mimic those classic lunch snack cakes.

There is just something about recipes that feature cinnamon and brown sugar that is always so comforting! If you enjoy this cake recipe, be sure to also check out our Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Cinnamon Roll Waffles, and Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread next!

My husband, Paul, LOVES coffee cake. It’s one of his all-time favorite treats, so it’s unsuprising that he went crazy for this honey bun cake. In fact, he just walked into the room and saw a picture of this one my screen and immediately started lauding it as one of his favorite things I have made in a while.

I mean, what’s not to love? It’s a dense, gooey, slice of cake that is very cinnamon roll-esque without the trouble of actually making a batch of cinnamon rolls. It’s impossible to go wrong.

Why this recipe is so awesome

• It’s ridiculously easy. While I typically make most things from scratch, there are a handful of recipes on here that start with a cake mix and in this case, we are adding some sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract to really enhance the flavor without much extra effort.
• It’s ready in under an hour. Actually making the cake takes all of 10 to maybe 15 minutes and it bakes in about 40. Which means you can have slices of gooey, warm cake on the table for dessert in a little under an hour. Perfect for unexpected guests or when you have a craving for something sweet!
• While we typically think of it as a dessert, you could honestly get away with eating this for breakfast. It’s no worse than many of the muffins and quick breads that are typical breakfast foods. Serve it with some scrambled eggs and crispy bacon and you’ve got a perfectly delicious morning ahead of you!

Recipe Ingredients

• Sour cream: I recommend using full-fat sour cream for best results. It adds richness to the cake and makes it have a slightly denser, more homemade richness and texture. But if you need a substitution, Greek yogurt works great. And you could even use buttermilk in this recipe instead of the sour cream and that would work too.
• Brown sugar: I like using light brown sugar, but dark brown will also work and have more of a molasses flavor.
• Cake mix: You can use any yellow cake mix you like. And if you prefer to make the entire cake from scratch, I fully support that notion and recommend you use my yellow cake recipe, which is the best and just the right size for a 9×13-inch pan.

How to Make Honey Bun Cake

1. Make the cake batter: This is as simple as adding cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and almond extract to a bowl and whisking it together. You don’t even need to get out your hand mixer.

2. Make cinnamon swirl: In a separate bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon until combined.

3. Layer, swirl, and bake: Pour ½ of the cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Add the remaining cake batter, then use a knife to swirl the cake. Bake for 40 minutes in a 350 degree F oven until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

4. Glaze: Make the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl, then pour that over the cake while it is still warm. You might need a knife to nudge it around just a little bit, but it should cover the top of the cake. Let the cake set for 15 minutes, then slice and serve warm with a glass of cold milk, or maybe even with a scoop of ice cream!

Recipe FAQ’s

Recipe Tips

• Don’t overbake. When people claim that cake recipes come out too dry, the most common issue is that they are baking the cake too long. I actually look for a few crumbs still sticking to a toothpick when I’m checking my cake to know that it is done, rather than a toothpick that comes out bone-dry.
• From-scratch version: If you wish to make the cake entirely from scratch, just use my yellow cake recipe for the cake part and add the cinnamon sugar swirl and glaze.
• Variation: You could add a touch of maple flavor to the glaze by using ½ teaspoon of maple extract in place of the vanilla. You could also add chocolate chips, nuts, or blueberries to the batter to change up the flavor even more and that would also be delicious.

More Cake Recipes

• Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
• Pumpkin Roll
• Easy Rhubarb Breakfast Cake
• Authentic Irish Apple Cake

More Fall Recipes

Appetizers and Snacks

• Fall Charcuterie Board from The Fresh Cooky

Breakfast and Baked Goods

• Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes from SueBee Homemaker
• Pecan Butter Bread with Apple Cider Butter from That Recipe

Soups and Salads

• Gullah Chicken Stew from Family Around The Table

Side Dishes

• Air Fryer Carrots from Devour Dinner
• Sweet Potato Gratin from Palatable Pastime

Main Dishes

• Autumn Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner from Jen around the world
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Cipollini Onion Taco With Hatch Chili Cream from Magical Ingredients

Desserts

• Apple Cider Caramel Dip from The Spiffy Cookie
• Butter Pecan Cake from Lemon Blossoms
• Chewy Pecan Butter Cookies from Soulfully Made
• Chocolate Chip Pecan Truffles from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Fresh Peach Pie from Hostess At Heart
• Pecan Sandies from Eat Move Make