Sweet Honey Bun Cake Recipe: A Heavenly Homemade Treat

Sweet, golden layers of nostalgia flood your kitchen when you whip up this irresistible honey bun cake that melts hearts instantly.

Southern bakeries have nothing on this homemade delight that captures pure comfort in every bite.

The soft, tender crumb whispers memories of lazy weekend mornings and grandmother’s special touches.

Warm cinnamon swirls dance through moist cake layers, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Drizzled with a sugary glaze, this cake turns ordinary moments into something magical.

You’ll fall in love with how simple ingredients combine to create such an extraordinary treat.

Let’s find out this recipe and watch magic unfold right before your eyes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything You Need for Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

• Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix: Pre-blended flour mixture that provides quick structure and classic cake texture with minimal preparation needed.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds richness, helps ingredients stick together, and creates smooth cake consistency.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture, prevents dryness, and contributes to tender crumb texture.
• Canned Pumpkin: Adds natural sweetness, vibrant color, and enhances nutritional value with smooth puree consistency.
• Sour Cream: Creates extra moisture, adds tangy flavor, and helps produce a softer, more delicate cake structure.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel undertones, natural sweetness, and helps create a moist cake interior.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Signature autumn blend that infuses warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Chopped Walnuts: Introduces delightful crunch, nutty flavor, and textural contrast throughout the cake.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth glaze with perfect drizzling consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds sophisticated, rich flavor enhancement to the sweet glaze.
• Milk: Helps thin and blend glaze ingredients for smooth, pourable texture.

Tools for the Perfect Honey Bun Swirl

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for blending cake ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining cake ingredients thoroughly.
• 13×9-inch Baking Pan: The ideal size for spreading and baking this delicious cake.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for spreading batter evenly and scraping bowl sides.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for moist crumbs.
• Whisk: Useful for mixing glaze ingredients until smooth.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly after baking.

Creating Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake the Easy Way

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the oven and get your baking pan ready for the delicious adventure ahead.

• Cake Base Mixture

Combine all the cake ingredients in a large bowl, blending them until smooth and creamy.

• Nutty Cinnamon Layer

Sprinkle a crunchy mixture of walnuts and brown sugar across the first layer of batter.

• Topping and Spread

Gently cover the nutty layer with remaining batter, creating a delightful hidden surprise inside.

• Baking Magic

Let the cake bake until golden and perfectly cooked, checking with a toothpick for doneness.

• Sweet Glaze Finale

Whip up a silky smooth glaze to drizzle over the warm cake, adding a final touch of sweetness.

Tips That Improve Your Pumpkin Cake Every Time

• Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture and flavor profile that adds extra crunch to every bite.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or ginger to enhance the pumpkin's rich, autumn-inspired taste and create a more complex flavor experience.
• Replace sour cream with coconut yogurt or almond milk-based alternative to make the cake suitable for those with dairy restrictions while maintaining moisture.
• Prepare the cake a day in advance and store covered at room temperature. The flavors will meld together, making the dessert even more delicious and perfect for stress-free entertaining.
• For a more decadent finish, add a pinch of cinnamon or maple extract to the glaze, transforming the simple topping into a gourmet-style drizzle that elevates the entire dessert.

Serving Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake at Its Best

• Cozy Fall Dessert Companion: Pair this warm pumpkin honey bun cake with a steaming mug of spiced chai tea for an ultimate autumn treat that hugs your taste buds.
• Decadent Topping Adventure: Sprinkle additional chopped walnuts or pecans over the glazed cake for extra crunch and nutty richness that elevates each delightful bite.
• Sweet Serving Twist: Scoop a generous dollop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside a slice of cake, letting the cold cream melt slightly into the warm, spiced dessert for a heavenly contrast.
• Festive Presentation Idea: Dust the glazed cake with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice just before serving to enhance the seasonal aroma and visual appeal.

Storing Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake Correctly

• Smart Slice Storage: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container. The cool, dark spot helps maintain moisture and prevents drying out.
• Chilled Cake Extension: Refrigerate for up to one week wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Cold storage slightly increases cake's lifespan while keeping texture soft and delicious.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each securely in plastic, then aluminum foil. Frozen cake stays fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before enjoying.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake one day ahead and store at room temperature. Glaze can be made separately and drizzled just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and vibrant flavor.

Heavenly Honey Bun Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade honey bun cake delivers classic Southern comfort with sweet cinnamon swirls and rich vanilla glaze. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps help eager bakers create this delightful dessert you can easily share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box super moist yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2.5 tsps pumpkin pie spice
• 0.75 cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 0.5 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. Mixing: Combine cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, pureed pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Base Layer: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, creating an even foundation.
4. Filling Creation: Sprinkle a crumbly mixture of chopped walnuts and brown sugar across the initial batter layer, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
5. Topping: Carefully spread the remaining cake batter over the walnut-sugar filling, using a spatula to achieve uniform distribution.
6. Baking and Glazing: Bake for 35-40 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick. Meanwhile, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract into a smooth, pourable glaze.
7. Finishing: Remove cake from oven and immediately drizzle glaze over the warm surface, allowing it to penetrate the cake’s texture. Cool completely at room temperature before serving.

Notes

• Nut Sensitivity Check: Swap walnuts with pecans or omit entirely for those with nut allergies.
• Spice Customization: Create homemade pumpkin pie spice by mixing ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves for a personalized flavor profile.
• Moisture Tip: Use full-fat sour cream to ensure a rich, tender cake texture that stays soft and moist.
• Glaze Consistency Trick: Adjust milk quantity gradually to achieve perfect drizzling thickness without becoming too runny or thick.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg