Honey Bun Cake - The Three Snackateers (2024)

Traditionally enjoyed as a snack cake, reminiscent of childhood lunches or after-school treats, our rendition of the classic honey bun takes a (slightly) sophisticated turn.

While still capturing the essence of the nostalgic flavors with its cinnamon-infused layers, generous brown sugar filling and sweet glaze, this more grown-up version transforms the familiar snack into a delicious dessert.

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Honey Bun Cake Recipe

Note: The printable and sharable recipe can be found at the end of this article.

Prep Time: 10 min
Bake Time: 40 min
Cooling Time: 20 min
Total: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredient List

Cake Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs
2/3 cup oil
White or yellow cake mix
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract or paste

PRO TIP: Try real vanilla paste to amplify the flavor in your frosting!

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a baking dish and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
4. Add in the oil and eggs and mix until combined.
5. Add the cake mix and beat until fully incorporated. The mixture will be thick.
6. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon.
7. Add half the cake batter to the prepared baking dish.
8. Evenly spread the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture over the entire top of the batter.
9. Add dollops of the remaining batter and smooth as much as you can.
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
11. Allow to cool to room temperature.
12. While the cake is cooling, combine all glaze ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined.
13. When the cake is cooled, pour the glaze over the cake. Allow it to set, then slice and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks For The Best Honey Bun Cake

Soften The Cream Cheese: Bring the cream cheese to room temperature to make it easier to mix into a smooth consistency.

Layer Batter and Filling Evenly: Make sure to evenly distribute the batter and brown sugar/cinnamon mixture so you have a full mix of flavors in each bite.

Cool Completely Before Glazing: Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before adding the glaze to prevent it from melting and becoming too thin.

Customize Glaze Consistency: Adjust the amount of powdered sugar or heavy cream to achieve your desired glaze thickness – thicker for a frosting-like consistency, or thinner for a drizzling effect.

Store Leftovers: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Cupcake Variation: To transform this recipe into individual servings, follow the same instructions as shown in the recipe, but layer the batter and filling into lined cupcake tins. Use the suggested bake time for cupcakes on the back of the cake mix. Once cooled, drizzle or spread the glaze over each cupcake for a handheld treat.