Honey Bun Cake

This delicious Honey Bun Cake could very well be a new family favorite! A moist yellow cake with an incredibly sweet brown sugar and cinnamon swirl, topped with a vanilla glaze. This super easy cake starts with a boxed yellow cake mix and gets its moisture from the addition of sour cream. So good, you’ll want to eat it for breakfast!

I originally posted this recipe in 2022. I was looking for something quick to make for dessert, and all I had in the pantry was a yellow cake mix. I did a little Google search, and this Betty Crocker Honey Bun Cake recipe popped up. I had everything that I needed to make it!

I opted to bake this dessert without pecans added to the swirl of cinnamon; however, it is delicious both ways!

Although I originally found this recipe on a Betty Crocker website, it does not need to be made with Betty Crocker cake mix. Any yellow cake mix will do.

It’s one of those wonderfully simple cake mix recipes that tastes like you did a whole lot more work than you actually did. Between the moist cake, that ribbon of cinnamon and brown sugar running through the middle, and the sweet vanilla glaze on top, every bite gives you a little bit of everything.

Want other tasty desserts to try? Try my Cowboy Cookies or my No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie!

WHAT IS HONEYBUN CAKE?

This sweet treat is pure nostalgia! Do you remember eating the fantastically sweet Little Debbie Honey Buns as a child? This easy cake takes those familiar cinnamon, brown sugar, and glazed flavors and turns them into a simple 9×13 dessert.

With just a few simple ingredients, this cake imitates the sticky, satisfying sweetness of a store-bought honey bun.

This Honey Bun Cake is incredibly easy, with just a few simple ingredients that you more than likely already have on hand! Starting with a box of cake mix makes this dessert so unbelievably effortless. A cinnamon and brown sugar mixture creates a sweet ribbon through the center, with optional chopped pecans for a little crunch. To finish, top with a warm and creamy vanilla glaze.

A future family favorite, serve this moist cake as a dessert or as a breakfast cake with a glass of milk! It’s also a great cake for brunches, potlucks, holidays, or anytime you need an easy dessert that feeds a crowd.

Looking for more moist bundt cakes to make at home? Try my Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, Blueberry Banana Bundt Cake, or my Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Bundt Cake recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Honey Bun Cake

There’s a lot to love about this old-fashioned cake, but the biggest reason may be how easy it is. Starting with a cake mix saves time, while sour cream makes the cake incredibly moist and tender. The brown sugar and cinnamon layer gives you that classic honey bun flavor, and the vanilla glaze sinks slightly into the warm cake for the perfect sweet finish.

It’s easy enough for a weeknight dessert but delicious enough to take to a party, brunch, family gathering, or potluck. And since it’s baked in a 9×13-inch pan, there is plenty to share.

INGREDIENTS FOR EASY HONEY BUN CAKE WITH SWEET VANILLA GLAZE

This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in the refrigerator or pantry! For the full measurements, scroll down to the printable recipe card.

For the Cake:

• Yellow Cake Mix: Use your favorite brand. I have been told that Duncan Hines Golden Butter cake mix is also delicious in this recipe!
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps give the cake its soft texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure, flavor, and richness to baked goods.
• Sour Cream: Gives the cake its moisture and an excellent soft, fluffy texture.
• Brown Sugar: Along with cinnamon, brown sugar is added to create that sweet, gooey cinnamon layer in the middle of the cake.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add a crunchy texture and flavor but can be left out if preferred.
• Ground Cinnamon: The cinnamon mixed with brown sugar gives this cake its classic honey bun flavor.

For the Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar: Used as the base for the vanilla glaze.
• Milk: Thins the powdered sugar to create a smooth, pourable glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives the lovely vanilla flavor to the glaze.

How to Make Honey Bun Cake with a Box of Yellow Cake Mix

My recipe for honey bun dessert is so incredibly easy to prepare! To see even more detailed steps, please scroll down to the recipe card.

Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. (Or grease and lightly dust with all-purpose flour.) Set aside.

Make the cake batter. In a large bowl, using your electric mixer, beat together cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and sour cream. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds until the ingredients are moistened. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for another 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

Make the cinnamon-sugar filling. In a small separate bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon together with a fork. Stir in the chopped pecans if you are using them.

Layer the cake. Spread half of the batter into the bottom of the prepared pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the top. Pour the rest of the batter over the top and carefully spread it to cover the cinnamon sugar.

Bake. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the cake is a deep golden brown color and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

While the cake is still warm, prick the top all over with the tines of a fork.

Glaze. Mix the glaze ingredients together and spread the glaze over the warm cake. The glaze will settle into those little holes and coat the top of the cake. Add a little more milk if needed to get the glaze to your desired consistency.

How to Store Honey Bun Cake

Cool completely. Store covered in an airtight container. The cake will last at least 4-5 days.

Because this cake is so moist, make sure it is completely cool before covering it. Otherwise, condensation can collect inside the container and make the top of the cake wet.

You can also freeze Honey Bun Cake. Wrap individual pieces tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a piece.

Love It? Pin It!

Don’t forget where you found this recipe for Honey Bun Cake! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go.

Tips for the Best Honey Bun Cake

Don’t overmix the batter. Once everything is combined and smooth, you’re ready to assemble the cake.

Spread the second layer gently. The cake batter is thick, so add it over the cinnamon-sugar layer in spoonfuls before carefully spreading it. This makes it easier to keep that delicious filling in the middle instead of mixing it into the batter.

Pecans are completely optional. I typically make mine without them, but if your family loves nuts, they add a wonderful little crunch.

Watch the cake near the end of baking. Oven temperatures can vary. Look for a deep golden color and check the center with a toothpick.

Best Honey Bun Cake Tip: Don’t wait for the cake to cool before adding the glaze! Poke the warm cake with a fork and spread the glaze over it while it is still warm. Some of that sweet vanilla glaze will work its way into the cake while the rest sets on top.

Honey Bun Cake FAQ

• Does Honey Bun Cake actually contain honey? No! Despite its name, traditional Honey Bun Cake doesn’t need honey. The name comes from the cake’s resemblance in flavor to those sweet, cinnamon-filled glazed honey buns.
• Do I have to add pecans? No. They are completely optional. I usually make this cake without them, but it is delicious either way.
• Can I use a different brand of cake mix? Absolutely. I originally found this recipe through Betty Crocker, but you can use your favorite yellow cake mix. A golden butter cake mix is another tasty option.
• Can I make Honey Bun Cake ahead of time? Yes. In fact, this is a great make-ahead dessert. Once the cake has completely cooled and the glaze has set, cover it tightly until you’re ready to serve.
• Can I freeze Honey Bun Cake? Yes. Wrap the cake well or freeze individual slices in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw before serving.
• Is Honey Bun Cake breakfast or dessert? I say both! With its cinnamon swirl and sweet glaze, it feels right at home next to a cup of coffee in the morning, but it makes an easy dessert, too.

An Affair from the Heart in Omaha Magazine’s Annual Food Edition

Before we go, I wanted to take a second and share with you a pretty special moment from when I originally shared this recipe. I was featured in Omaha Magazine’s 2022 Food Edition. I was so tickled to be asked, as it had been a bucket list item of mine!

I was out of town when it arrived, and a friend texted to tell me she saw me in it. I couldn’t wait to hold it in my hands!

I had my youngest daughter snap a quick photo or two of me with the magazine when I returned home. A big thank you to Omaha Magazine for including me!

You can read the article online if you aren’t a subscriber. 

OTHER SWEET RECIPES TO ENJOY

• Baked King Cake Donuts (Cinnamon Vanilla Donuts) 
• Candy Corn Cupcakes
• Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
• Hamburger Cupcakes
• Coconut Pudding Poke Cake
• Raisin Spice Bars
• Black Forest Cake
• Fresh Apple Cake

And now, years later, this Honey Bun Cake is still here, still being made, and still one of those wonderfully simple recipes that proves you don’t need anything fancy to make a really good cake. If you have a yellow cake mix tucked in the pantry, you’re already well on your way!

This recipe was originally posted on June 7, 2022. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on September 22, 2026.