There is just something about recipes that feature cinnamon and brown sugar that is always so comforting! If you enjoy this cake recipe, be sure to also check out our Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Cinnamon Roll Waffles, and Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread next! My husband, Paul, LOVES coffee cake. It’s one of his all-time favorite treats, so it’s unsuprising that he went crazy for this honey bun cake. In fact, he just walked into the room and saw a picture of this one my screen and immediately started lauding it as one of his favorite things I have made in a while. I mean, what’s not to love? It’s a dense, gooey, slice of cake that is very cinnamon roll-esque without the trouble of actually making a batch of cinnamon rolls. It’s impossible to go wrong.
Why this recipe is so awesome
It’s ridiculously easy. While I typically make most things from scratch, there are a handful of recipes on here that start with a cake mix and in this case, we are adding some sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract to really enhance the flavor without much extra effort.It’s ready in under an hour. Actually making the cake takes all of 10 to maybe 15 minutes and it bakes in about 40. Which means you can have slices of gooey, warm cake on the table for dessert in a little under an hour. Perfect for unexpected guests or when you have a craving for something sweet!While we typically think of it as a dessert, you could honestly get away with eating this for breakfast. It’s no worse than many of the muffins and quick breads that are typical breakfast foods. Serve it with some scrambled eggs and crispy bacon and you’ve got a perfectly delicious morning ahead of you!
Recipe Ingredients
Sour cream: I recommend using full-fat sour cream for best results. It adds richness to the cake and makes it have a slightly denser, more homemade richness and texture. But if you need a substitution, Greek yogurt works great. And you could even use buttermilk in this recipe instead of the sour cream and that would work too.Brown sugar: I like using light brown sugar, but dark brown will also work and have more of a molasses flavor.Cake mix: You can use any yellow cake mix you like. And if you prefer to make the entire cake from scratch, I fully support that notion and recommend you use my yellow cake recipe, which is the best and just the right size for a 9×13-inch pan.
How to Make Honey Bun Cake
Recipe Tips
Don’t overbake. When people claim that cake recipes come out too dry, the most common issue is that they are baking the cake too long. I actually look for a few crumbs still sticking to a toothpick when I’m checking my cake to know that it is done, rather than a toothpick that comes out bone-dry.From-scratch version: If you wish to make the cake entirely from scratch, just use my yellow cake recipe for the cake part and add the cinnamon sugar swirl and glaze.Variation: You could add a touch of maple flavor to the glaze by using ½ teaspoon of maple extract in place of the vanilla. You could also add chocolate chips, nuts, or blueberries to the batter to change up the flavor even more and that would also be delicious.
More Cake Recipes
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee CakePumpkin RollEasy Rhubarb Breakfast CakeAuthentic Irish Apple Cake
More Fall Recipes
Appetizers and Snacks Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Fall Charcuterie Board from The Fresh Cooky
Breakfast and Baked Goods
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes from SueBee HomemakerPecan Butter Bread with Apple Cider Butter from That Recipe
Soups and Salads
Gullah Chicken Stew from Family Around The Table
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Carrots from Devour DinnerSweet Potato Gratin from Palatable Pastime
Main Dishes
Autumn Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner from Jen around the worldRoasted Brussels Sprouts And Cipollini Onion Taco With Hatch Chili Cream from Magical Ingredients
Desserts
Apple Cider Caramel Dip from The Spiffy CookieButter Pecan Cake from Lemon BlossomsChewy Pecan Butter Cookies from Soulfully MadeChocolate Chip Pecan Truffles from A Kitchen Hoor’s AdventuresFresh Peach Pie from Hostess At HeartPecan Sandies from Eat Move Make
