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Moist Honey Bun Cake with cinnamon swirl and sweet glaze on a plate.

Honey Bun Cake

A simple and cozy dessert that resembles a honey bun, with a soft cinnamon swirl and a sweet glaze that soaks into the cake.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 1 box yellow cake mix Yellow cake mix gives a classic bakery flavor.
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sour cream Full fat is best for soft texture.
  • 1/2 cup water
Cinnamon swirl
  • 1 cup brown sugar Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon Fresh cinnamon is recommended.
For the glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk Adjust milk for desired glaze thickness.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch pan well.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream, and water until smooth.
Layering
  1. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the batter.
  3. Spread the remaining batter on top and swirl gently with a knife.
Baking and Glazing
  1. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  2. In a separate bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
  3. Poke the cake in a few spots with a fork after baking, then drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.

Notes

This cake is forgiving. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep it light. Glaze while warm for best results. Store tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.