This easy honey bun cake blends fluffy yellow cake with a spicy cinnamon layer, all topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Rest Time30 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Honey Bun Cake Recipe
Servings: 12
Calories: 511kcal
Ingredients
Cake
2 ¼cupsall purpose flour,spooned and leveled
1teaspoonbaking powder
1teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoontable salt
1cupsalted butter,softened to room temperature
1 ½cupsgranulated sugar
2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
2largeeggs,room temperature
2largeegg yolks,room temperature
1cupwhole fat buttermilk,room temperature
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Layer
¾cuplight brown sugar,tightly packed
1tablespoonground cinnamon
Glaze
2 ½cupspowdered sugar,sifted
3tablespoonswhole milk
2teaspoonshoney
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium high speed, beat the softened butter until smooth. (About 1 ½ - 2 minutes)
Add the granulated sugar and continue to mix on medium high speed for another 1 ½ - 2 minutes until well combined and fluffy.
Lower the mixer speed to medium low and add the vanilla extract and the eggs and egg yolks, beating well until completely incorporated.
Next alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated after each addition ending with the buttermilk.
Add the brown sugar and ground cinnamon to a small bowl, stirring to completely combine.
Spread half of the cake batter to the prepared baking dish. Using an offset spatula or a large spoon, smooth the cake batter over the bottom of the pan.
Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the bottom layer of cake batter. (You can use a knife to swirl the cinnamon layer)
Spread the remaining cake batter evenly over the brown sugar and cinnamon layer. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
About 5 minutes before the cake is finished baking, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, honey and vanilla extract until completely smooth.
Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, drizzle the glaze over the cake. Use an offset spatula to spread the glaze. Allow the cake to cool for about 25 - 30 minutes before cutting into 12 equal slices and serving. (If you prefer, you can allow the cake to cool completely before serving)
Notes
Chopped pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled on top of the brown sugar and cinnamon layer for added texture.
Ground allspice, nutmeg or even apple pie spice can be substituted for the ground cinnamon for an enhanced spice profile.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cake at the lower end of the recommended baking time.