Honey Bun Cake
Honey Bun Cake is a moist, tender cake infused with warm cinnamon and sugar swirls, enhanced by honey’s subtle sweetness. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time indulgence, this cake features a buttery texture and a gooey glaze that melts in your mouth, making it a crowd-pleaser for gatherings and cozy moments alike.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour blend substitution)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sugars & Spices
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- Additional ½ cup packed brown sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan option)
- 3 large eggs (or 3 flax eggs for vegan option)
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
- ⅓ cup honey (or maple syrup for variation)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare your pan and ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Gather all ingredients to ensure smooth preparation without interruptions.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and spices for consistent flavor and rise.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy to introduce air into the batter, contributing to a tender crumb.
- Combine wet ingredients: Beat the eggs separately, then add milk, honey, and vanilla extract. Slowly blend these wet ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until smooth and homogeneous.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to keep the cake light and fluffy rather than dense.
- Create the cinnamon swirl: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture over it, then add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon sugar. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers without overmixing.
- Bake and glaze: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake cools slightly, prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of honey, then drizzle it over the cake.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter, eggs, and milk for better mixing and texture.
- Do not over-swirl the cinnamon layers to maintain visible swirls without creating a marbled mess.
- Use fresh cinnamon for the best flavor impact.
- Check oven temperature as it may vary; monitor the cake near the end of baking.
- Allow the cake to cool at least 10 minutes before glazing to prevent melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Honey Bun Cake, cinnamon swirl cake, moist cake, breakfast cake, dessert cake, cinnamon sugar cake, easy cake recipe, gluten-free cake option, vegan adaptations