The Best Honey Bun Cake (Using Cake Mix)

5 from 1 vote
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Honey bun cake, is one of my absolute favorite cakes. Easy, delicious cake that you can eat anytime of day. Cinnamon and brown sugar join together to make a cake everyone will love. This coffee cake recipe uses one special ingredient that sets it apart from all the rest.

Dessert for breakfast is the best! A few of our other favorites are blueberry buckle, cinnamon roll casserole, and zucchini bread.

Piece of coffee cake on a plate with yellow napkin


 

A boxed cake mix helps make this coffee cake easy to make. We love a doctored cake mix recipe like this apricot nectar cake and do nothing cake.

What is honey bun cake

Honey bun cake is a moist cake that is filled with a cinnamon and brown sugar center and topped with a powdered sugar vanilla glaze. It’s taste is similar to Little Debbie Honeybuns.

The key to making this cake THE BEST is using a butter pecan cake mix. You can use a yellow cake mix but the butter pecan takes this cake to the next level.

Ingredients needed

  • Cake mix – I like using a butter pecan cake mix to really amp of the flavors. You can substitute with yellow cake mix.
  • Eggs – 4 large eggs are used.
  • Vegetable oil – Vegetable oil is used to make the cake batter.
  • Sugar – Sugar adds a little extra sweetness.
  • Sour cream – Adds a hint of tang and moisture to the cake.
  • Brown sugar – Light brown sugar is mixed with the cinnamon for the center of the cake.
  • Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon
  • Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar is used to make the honey bun cake glaze.
  • Milk – Use your favorite milk.
  • Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the glaze.

How to make easy honey bun cake

Step one: Start by combining the cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, and sugar to make the batter. I like using an electric mixer but you can stir it together with a large spoon.

Eggs, sour cream, cake mix, and oil in a mixing bowl.

Step two: Pour half of the batter into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan.

Half of the coffee cake batter spread in 9x13 pan.

Step three: Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the batter. Do not swirl, just sprinkle it on top.

Brown sugar and cinnamon mixture sprinkled over batter.

Step four: Spread the remaining batter over the brown sugar mixture.

Rest of batter on top of cake ready to be baked.

Step five: Bake the cake for 30 minutes. Once it’s done baking, remove from the oven and let the cake completely cool. Make the glaze by stirring together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Step six: Drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the top of the cake and serve.

piece of coffee cake on a white plate

Tips for making the best honey bun cake

  • To spread the second layer of cake batter, use a spoon to place dollops of the batter around the cake. Use a spatula to spread out the dollops of batter.
  • Don’t forget to let the cake cool before adding the glaze.
  • Let the cake rest for about an hour before serving.
  • Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake and if it comes out clean the cake is finished baking.

How to store leftovers

Store: Cover the cake and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can store it longer in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freeze: To freeze the cake, cover each piece with plastic wrap and then place in a freezer safe bag. It will keep for up to 3 months.

More easy cake mix recipes

Piece of coffee cake on plate.
5 from 1 vote

Honey Bun Cake Recipe

By Heather Seeley
This easy honey bun cake recipe is made easy using a cake mix. A delicious cake filled with a brown sugar and cinnamon layer.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 box butter pecan cake mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 Tbsp milk

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 pan.
  • Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, sugar, and sour cream until blended.
  • Pour half of the batter in the pan.
  • Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and spread over cake batter.
  • Spread the rest of the cake batter on top of brown sugar mixture.
  • Bake for approximately 40 minutes.
  • Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
  • Once cake is cooled, pour glaze on top of cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 732kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 534mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 83g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
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