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recipe for honey bun cake

Recipe for Honey Bun Cake

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 45 minutes
With sweet cinnamon swirls and vanilla glaze! So moist, so indulgent. A bakery-style cake that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert!
5 stars (1 ratings)
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Ingredients
  

For the cake:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
  • 4 large eggs , room temperature
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt works too!)
  • 1 cup brown sugar , packed
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup honey

For the glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Substitution tips:

  • - For a healthier version , swap vegetable oil for unsweetened applesauce
  • - Dairy-free? Use coconut yogurt instead of sour cream
  • - Gluten-free cake mix works perfectly in this recipe with no other adjustments needed

Instructions

  • Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. A light coating of flour after greasing ensures easy removal once baked. Pro tip: Line the bottom with parchment paper for even easier cake removal!
    Step 2: Mix the Cake Base
    In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and sour cream. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well incorporated. The mixture should appear thick but pourable, with a silky consistency that promises a moist final product.
    Step 3: Create the Cinnamon Swirl
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and cinnamon until no lumps remain. This mixture creates those heavenly ribbons of flavor throughout your cake that mimic the beloved honey bun pastry.
    Step 4: Layer and Swirl
    Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture uniformly over this layer, then drizzle 1/4 cup of honey across the surface. Pour the remaining batter on top, and using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the layers together with 3-4 figure-eight motions. Don't overmix – visible swirls create that classic honey bun appearance!
    Step 5: Bake to Perfection
    Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. The cake should be golden brown, with a slight spring when touched in the center. Be careful not to overbake – this is the #1 reason for dry cake!
    Step 6: Prepare the Glaze
    While the cake cools for 10 minutes, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and honey in a medium bowl until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable – add more milk or powdered sugar to adjust consistency as needed.
    Step 7: Glaze and Serve
    Pour the glaze evenly over the still-warm cake, allowing it to seep slightly into the surface. Let the cake cool completely (if you can wait!) before cutting into squares and serving.
    recipe for honey bun cakeingredients

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