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Honey Bun Cake

Honey Bun Cake is a classic dessert that is simple to make for any day of the week and delicious enough for special occasions. A cake mix recipe with a cinnamon and pecan filling, topped with a sweet powdered sugar icing.

Cinnamon desserts are always calling my name! From my favorite Homemade Cinnamon Rolls to this easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake and Fresh Apple Cake, they are perfect for breakfast, brunch and of course dessert!

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Honey Bun Cake slice on plate.

Honey Bun Cake ~ Easy Dessert Recipe

Honey buns have always been a treat for my kids and this honey bun cake has the same amazing flavor. It’s perfect for a weekend brunch or any family get together. I’ve adapted this recipe from the classic Betty Crocker cake mix box. 

honey bun cake ingredients

Ingredients Needed:

  • Yellow Cake Mix
  • Butter
  • Large Eggs
  • Sour Cream
  • Brown Sugar
  • Pecans
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla Extract

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How to Make Honey Bun Cake:

bowl of cake mix, butter, eggs, sour cream.

  • Add the cake mix, butter, eggs and sour cream to a mixer bowl and beat until combined.

buttering cake pan with a butter wrapper.

  • Use the butter wrappers to grease a 9 x 13 pan or spray with non stick cooking spray.

Collage- bowls with brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans for cake filling.

  • In a bowl, combine brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon.

Making honey bun cake with layer of brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon.

  • Pour half of cake batter into the prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over cake batter.
  • Spread remaining batter over pecan mixture.
  • Bake for 40- 45 minutes. 

making icing for honey bun cake.

  • Meanwhile, mix icing together in a bowl using the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.

baked honey bun cake collage.

  • Remove from oven to a wire rack, cool 5 minutes.
  • Use a bamboo skewer or fork to prick the cake. 
  • Pour icing over warm cake, spread evenly.
  • Cool cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

slice of honey bun cake on a plate.

Recipe Notes & Tips:

  • Yield: 12 Servings
  • Icing: Spread the icing in one direction, using long strokes. If you go back and forth on the warm cake, it will pull up the top layer of the cake. 
  • Variations: You can add other flavors to the icing to change it up. Add orange zest or sprinkle the top with mini chocolate chips. 
  • Storage: Store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap up to 3 days. Store in refrigerator up to 6 days.
  • Occasions: Holiday brunch, Easter, 4th of July, Christmas, birthdays, special occasions.

More Easy Cake Mix Recipes to Try:

  • Marble Sheet Cake is a super simple cake mix recipe with a fudgy chocolate and vanilla cake topped with chocolate sour cream frosting. 
  • Coconut Cream Cake is a decadent and delicious cake perfect for Easter and a favorite for any coconut lover.
  • Apple Dump Cake is one of our all-time favorite desserts. Canned pie filling topped with cake mix, butter and pecans. It’s seriously one of the easiest desserts you can make. 

slice of honey bun cake with bite on a fork.

If you are looking for a simple dessert that everyone will love, this easy Honey Bun Cake will do the trick. It’s a light and fluffy coffee cake to serve for brunch or dessert filled with delicious honey bun flavors.

IF YOU LOVE THIS  RECIPE AS MUCH AS I DO, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND A FIVE STAR REVIEW, AND BE SURE TO HELP ME SHARE ON FACEBOOK!

Honey Bun Cake on a plate.
Print Recipe
4.42 from 12 votes

Honey Bun Cake

Honey Bun Cake is a classic dessert that is simple to make for any day of the week and delicious enough for special occasions. A cake mix recipe with a cinnamon and pecan filling, topped with a sweet powdered sugar icing.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Additional Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Cakes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake mix recipes, cinnamon coffee cake, Easter brunch cake, easy dessert for brunch, Honey bun cake with cake mix
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 461kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce Yellow Cake Mix
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a mixer bowl, add cake mix, softened butter, sour cream and eggs. Keep the butter wrappers to grease a 9 x 13 pan or spray with non stick cooking spray.
  • Mix on low speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Raise to medium-high speed, beat one minute. Stop the mixer and scrape sides and bottom of the bowl. Continue to beat 1 more minute.
  • Pour half of cake batter into prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the cake batter evenly.
  • Dollop remaining cake batter over the cinnamon mixture and spread evenly.
  • Bake for 40- 45 minute or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out without cake crumbs.
  • Remove from the oven to a wire rack, cool 5 minutes.
  • Use a knife or bamboo skewer to prick the cake all over.
  • Make the icing in a bowl by whisking together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.
  • Pour over cake and spread evenly.
  • Cool at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Icing: Spread the icing in one direction, using long strokes. If you go back and forth on the warm cake, it will pull up the top layer of the cake. 
  • Variations: You can add other flavors to the icing to change it up. Add orange zest or sprinkle the top with mini chocolate chips. 
  • Storage: Store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap up to 3 days. Store in refrigerator up to 6 days.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 419mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 40g

    6 Comments

    1. Hi Miss,
      Just made this today for Easter, and it was devoured by everyone!! Delicious! We all really loved it.
      Thanks for your great recipes.

    2. Oh MY! This looks amazing. My hubby loves stuff like this. I think I’ll be making this for Father’s Day this year.

    3. Hello, I tried this recipe and the brown sugar and cinnamon crystallized once cold. Did I do anything wrong. Overall, the cake was delicious, but center was rock like.

      1. Hi Elizabeth,
        I have never had an issue with the filling and I don’t know why it would become hard unless it was over baked but that would also make the cake layer really dry. This one has me stumped.

        ~ Milisa

    4.42 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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