Description

There’s something truly magical about those recipes that instantly bring you back to simpler times—when life moved a little slower and dessert meant something warm, sweet, and made with love. This Honey Bun Cake is exactly that kind of recipe. Inspired by the classic snack cake many of us grew up enjoying, this version is a heartwarming twist on the original: moist, swirled with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a sweet glaze that soaks into every bite.

Honey Bun Cake has been passed around potlucks, church gatherings, and family reunions for generations. It’s the kind of dessert you always find sitting proudly at the center of a dessert table, beckoning with its golden layers and irresistible smell of warm cinnamon. My grandmother used to make a similar cake every Sunday after church. We’d come home, take off our shoes, and before lunch was even on the table, she’d already be mixing up this cake in her old ceramic bowl. It was always the highlight of the weekend.

Perfect for holidays, brunches, or just a cozy weekend at home, this cake is a celebration of comfort and nostalgia. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or sneaking a slice with your morning coffee, Honey Bun Cake is that dependable, feel-good dessert that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

1 box yellow cake mix

4 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

¾ cup vegetable oil

For the Filling:

1 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter. This cake tends to stick a little if the pan isn’t well-greased, so don’t skip this step.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Use an electric mixer to beat everything together until smooth and creamy—about 2 minutes. It should be thick but pourable.

Step 3: Create the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl

In a separate small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. This is where the magic happens—those sweet swirls running through the cake are what give it that signature honey bun flavor.

Step 4: Layer It Up

Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth it out evenly. Then sprinkle the entire brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the top. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even—it’ll melt into gooey ribbons as it bakes.

Gently spoon the remaining batter on top of the cinnamon layer, spreading it carefully to cover the filling.

Step 5: Bake

Place the cake in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell like a cinnamon dream about halfway through baking.

Step 6: Glaze Time

While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. You want it pourable but not too thin—like a thick syrup.

Once the cake is fresh out of the oven, poke tiny holes all over the top using a fork or toothpick. Pour the glaze evenly over the warm cake so it soaks in and forms a beautiful sugary layer on top.

Let the cake sit for at least 10–15 minutes to absorb the glaze before serving.

Notes

You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar layer for a nutty crunch.
This cake travels well, making it perfect for gatherings.
It tastes even better the next day once the glaze has fully soaked in!