Honey Bun Cake Recipe

This Honey Bun Cake Recipe is a sweet and buttery cake that is easy to make, plus it's fluffy and delicious. It contains everything that you love about honey buns and cinnamon rolls transformed into cake form.

If you're craving even more sweet and delicious cinnamon roll options, then be sure to try making some Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls or Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Yeast.

If you love cinnamon rolls or sticky honey buns, then you will love this warm cake recipe. It is sweet, gooey, and loaded with cinnamon flavor. It's also simple to make with simple ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen.

This easy cake recipe is so delicious and perfect to make and share with family and friends or enjoy a piece all to yourself with a warm cup of hot coffee. Either way, I'm sure you will enjoy this recipe so be sure to save it to make soon.

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

1. All-Purpose Flour - Use plain flour for this recipe. No other flour substitutes have been tried.
2. Baking Powder - Be sure to check the date on the package to make sure that it has not expired.
3. Kosher Salt - A small amount of kosher salt works best, but use any salt that you prefer or have on hand.
4. Granulated Sugar - You may also use cane sugar to sweeten this cake.
5. Milk - Whole milk works best.
6. Egg - One large egg is all that is needed to make this simple cake recipe.
7. Butter - Melt the butter to use in the cake and make sure it is softened to use in the filling. Salted butter or unsalted butter, either can be used.
8. Vanilla Extract - Pure vanilla extract for the cake and the topping. Make sure it's pure vanilla extract and not imitation. Vanilla bean paste could be used as a substitute.
9. Brown Sugar - Use light brown sugar for the filling of the cake, similar to a regular cinnamon roll. Dark brown sugar could be used instead.
10. Ground Cinnamon - Gives the cake a warm and spicy flavor.
11. Powdered Sugar - Make the sticky and thick topping similar to cinnamon roll icing or honey bun vanilla glaze.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make Honey Bun Cake

Begin the cake recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly spraying an 8x8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set this bowl aside. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to combine the granulated sugar, milk, egg, butter, and vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients and continue mixing until combined. Pour the cake batter into the prepared square baking pan. Then set it aside while you mix the ingredients for the cinnamon swirl layer.

In a small bowl, use a whisk to combine the melted butter, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Pour the mixture evenly on top of the cake mixture to form the cinnamon sugar layer. Place into the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Carefully remove the warm cake from the oven and allow it to cool while preparing the vanilla glaze topping. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.

Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cake while it is still warm and spread it evenly over the top with a knife. Allow the cake to continue to cool in the baking pan on a wire rack before cutting to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• To create the cinnamon sugar mixture, feel free to use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. Both will work.
• Top the cinnamon sugar mixture with chopped pecans or walnuts to add another layer of nutty and slightly sweet flavor.
• Use a fork to poke holes in the top of the warm cake before adding the glaze to ensure that it seeps down into the rest of the cake.
• After pouring the glaze on top of the warm cake, you may notice that it seeps in and forms holes on the top, this is perfectly fine.

Storage Tips

Storage. Store any leftover honey bun cake in an airtight container, cover the baking pan with a lid or tightly with aluminum foil, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You may also store it at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Reheating. When you're ready to serve the honey bun cake again, allow it time to come to room temperature or briefly reheat it inside the oven at low heat until warm or in the microwave for a few seconds.

Freezing. This cake can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Want More Easy Dessert Recipes? Try These:

• Cinnamon Rolls
• Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
• Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
• Easy Sticky Buns with Crescent Rolls
• Chess Squares
• 7Up Pound Cake

Do you have any comments, questions, or other tasty ways to enjoy this Cinnamon Roll Cake? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 12/14/2015. Updated 11/08/2021 and 10/14/2024.