Stop the scroll — our Honey Bun Cake transforms the nostalgic pastry aisle favorite into a cinnamon-swirled show-stopper you can bake tonight.

Crafted and tested in our studio kitchen, this Honey Bun Cake recipe proves bakery-quality results are possible with one bowl and ten minutes of prep.

A tender yellow crumb is ribboned with real cinnamon and brown sugar; once the Honey Bun Cake emerges hot from the oven, a warm vanilla glaze sinks in for unbelievable moisture.

Because the Honey Bun Cake relies on pantry staples—boxed mix, sour cream, and a swirl of spice—no special gear or advanced technique is required, making it foolproof even for first-time bakers.

Serve the Honey Bun Cake at brunch, share it at potlucks, or keep it for midnight cravings; every slice delivers expert-level flavor with crowd-pleasing ease.

Glazed honey bun cake in a white baking dish on white countertop

Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out?

Honey bun cake has taken over Southern kitchens and social media feeds—and once you taste it, you’ll understand why. It captures everything we love about classic honey buns, but without the time-consuming yeast and rising steps.

Instead of kneading dough, this honey bun cake starts with a simple yellow cake mix. A rich cinnamon-sugar mixture is swirled right into the batter, creating ribbons of spiced goodness throughout every slice.

What truly sets this honey bun cake apart is the warm glaze poured over the top while it’s still hot. The glaze seeps into the tender crumb, delivering that familiar sticky-sweet finish that gives it its name.

Visually, it mimics a cinnamon roll cake—but with even less effort. And the flavor? Moist, buttery, and perfectly spiced. This honey bun cake is perfect with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a cozy dessert after dinner.

It also pairs beautifully with brunch classics—think fresh fruit salad, soft scrambled eggs, or crispy bacon for a complete Southern spread.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Instructions

Equipment For Honey Bun Cake Recipe
Recipe Variations
Storage

The Southern Baker’s Secret: Why Waiting Makes Your Honey Bun Cake Unforgettable
FAQ
From Pantry to Praise: Your Honey Bun Cake & Next Must-Bake Desserts

Related
Pairing

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Yellow cake mix

Sour cream
Eggs
Vegetable oil

Brown sugar
Vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

Brown sugar

Ground cinnamon
Chopped pecans (optional)

For the Glaze:

Powdered sugar

Milk
Vanilla extract
Salt

Honey bun cake ingredients laid out on a white countertop

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare and Mix

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish
Combine cake mix, sour cream, eggs, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla in large bowl

Beat with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until smooth
In separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans for swirl

Assemble and Swirl

Pour half the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly

Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over batter layer
Add remaining batter on top and gently swirl with knife
Create marbled patterns without overmixing

Bake and Glaze

Bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out with few moist crumbs
Cool cake for 10 minutes while making glaze
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth

Pour glaze over warm cake and let soak in

Mixing honey bun cake batter in a white bowl

Prepare and Mix: Combine cake mix, sour cream, eggs, oil, and vanilla; mix well.

Swirling cinnamon sugar into cake batter in white pan

Assemble and Swirl: Pour half the batter, add swirl mix, gently swirl with fork.

Pouring glaze over freshly baked honey bun cake

Bake and Glaze: Bake until golden, cool slightly, then glaze warm cake generously.

Equipment For Honey Bun Cake Recipe

Essential Tools:

9x13-inch baking dish for even cooking
Electric mixer for smooth batter (hand mixer works)

Large mixing bowls to prevent messy counters
Wire cooling rack prevents soggy bottom

Budget-Friendly Alternatives:

Large spoon instead of electric mixer

Fork works perfectly for swirl patterns
Any similar-sized baking dish works

Helpful Upgrades:

Offset spatula for easy spreading

Kitchen scale for accurate measurements
Bench scraper for clean ingredient transfer

Hints & Expert Cooking Tips

Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter mixing

Mix dry ingredients night before to save morning prep time
Use large fork instead of knife for better swirl patterns
Warm milk slightly before making glaze for easier mixing

Don't skip sour cream - it creates the moist texture
Avoid overmixing swirls for better visual appeal
Never glaze hot cake - wait 10 minutes for proper consistency

Add cream cheese to glaze for extra tang
Try maple syrup instead of vanilla in glaze for deeper flavor

Recipe Variations

Flavor Variations:

Chocolate honey bun cake - add cocoa powder to cinnamon mixture
Apple cinnamon version - fold diced apples with cinnamon layer
Cream cheese swirl - add sweetened cream cheese dollops before swirling

Pumpkin spice fall version - add pumpkin spice to cinnamon mixture
Holiday style - include crystallized ginger in swirl

Dietary Adaptations:

Gluten-free - use gluten-free yellow cake mix
Dairy-free - replace sour cream with coconut cream, use plant milk
Keto-friendly - use sugar-free cake mix and erythritol

Vegan option - use egg replacer and plant-based sour cream
High-protein - add vanilla protein powder to cake mix

Storage

Fridge Storage:

Cover tightly with plastic wrap or airtight container
Keeps fresh for up to 5 days
Serve at room temperature or warm 15-20 seconds in microwave

Flavors improve after first day

Freezing Instructions:

Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months

Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then freezer bags
Thaw overnight in refrigerator or microwave 30-45 seconds from frozen

Make-Ahead Tips:

Bake cake completely but don't glaze
Store covered at room temperature for 1 day
Make fresh glaze and apply before serving

Cut into portions and wrap separately for grab-and-go treats

The Southern Baker’s Secret: Why Waiting Makes Your Honey Bun Cake Unforgettable

Let me tell you a little secret passed down from my grandmother’s Southern kitchen—a secret that turns a good honey bun cake into the kind of dessert people beg you to bring to every gathering.

After you pour that luscious glaze over your warm honey bun cake, don’t rush to slice it. Let it rest. Give it at least two hours. During that quiet time, magic happens—the glaze sinks deep into the cake’s cinnamon swirls, the crumb tightens just enough, and every bite becomes a layered, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

And here’s the real kicker: when you’re ready to serve, pop each slice in the microwave for just 10 to 15 seconds. The glaze softens into a sticky, buttery hug and suddenly, it tastes like it just came out of the oven.

This is the little ritual I swear by—and once you try it, your honey bun cake will never be the same.

FAQ

What are the ingredients for honey cake?

Honey cake typically includes honey, flour, sugar, eggs, oil, baking powder, cinnamon, and often tea or coffee for added flavor. For a Honey Bun Cake, the base usually starts with yellow cake mix, sour cream, eggs, cinnamon sugar, and a simple vanilla glaze to mimic that classic bakery-style taste.

What does adding sour cream to a cake batter do?

Adding sour cream to cake batter makes it moist, rich, and tender. In a Honey Bun Cake, it enhances the texture by balancing sweetness and fat, creating a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb that stays moist for days. It also helps with structure and makes the cake more flavorful.

What's the difference between a sticky bun and a honey bun?

Sticky buns are yeast-based and baked with caramel glaze and nuts on top, while honey buns are softer, often glazed with cinnamon swirls, and can be yeast-based or cake-style. A Honey Bun Cake captures the flavor of a honey bun but skips the rising time and rolling process entirely.

Do you refrigerate a honey bun cake?

You don’t need to refrigerate a honey bun cake. Store it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep it moist. If your kitchen is warm or humid, you can refrigerate it, but bring to room temperature or microwave briefly before serving to restore that soft, gooey texture.

From Pantry to Praise: Your Honey Bun Cake & Next Must-Bake Desserts

With one effortless Honey Bun Cake bake, you’ve unlocked a shortcut to cinnamon-swirled comfort that tastes like it came straight from a Southern bakery. Keep the momentum rolling: if you crave more crowd-pleasers, bookmark “The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake with Buttermilk Recipe” for fudgy, picnic-ready squares or dive into the silky layers of our “Simple Choco Flan Cake Recipe” Each delivers the same fool-proof method and pantry staples that make this Honey Bun Cake a viral sensation.

Tried today’s Honey Bun Cake? Drop a comment, rate the recipe, and share photos of your gorgeous cinnamon swirls—your feedback helps fellow bakers and boosts our community in Google search. Hit “print” or “save” now, then set your timer: your next legendary dessert is only a whisk away!

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