This TikTok honey bun cake bakes up so moist. Cream cheese and butter is added to doctor up the yellow cake mix. Then layered with cinnamon brown sugar and topped with a honey vanilla glaze.
I’ll show you step by step how easy it is to make this recipe, perfect snack cake or breakfast with a cup of coffee.
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How To Make Honey Bun Cake
Why is this recipe so popular? There is something so nostalgic about honey buns. Honey buns are a cross between a doughnut and a cinnamon roll.
It’s a huge hit with kids and adults. Wether you love brands like Little Debbie, Hostess, Freshly’s or TastyKate, it’s a must try treat.
This TikTok recipe levels up an old-fashioned honey bun recipe by adding extra flavor with a few additions.
It starts by doctoring up a box of yellow cake mix with butter and cream cheese making it flavorful and moist. Layering cinnamon brown sugar and using real honey in the sticky icing glaze. The Best Honey Bun Cake Ever!!
Love Cinnamon? Check out these recipes Viral TikTok Cinnamon Rolls & Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Bake !!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Cake Mix - Yellow or Butter Flavored.
Cream Cheese - This recipe uses a whole block of full-fat variety, but you can substitute low-fat.
Eggs- Four large whole eggs.
Butter - Salted or unsalted will be delicious.
Oil - A neutral oil like vegetable or canola.
Sugar- Brown sugar is preferred, it helps gives that dark cinnamon sugar look and great flavor. Powdered sugar for the icing.
Cinnamon - Choose your favorite ground cinnamon brand or even a pumpkin or mixed spice blend.
Honey- Real honey or a touch of maple syrup.
Mix In’s and Variations
Let’s switch the flavors or add more to a classic honey bun cake.
Boxed Cake Mix - So many to choose from at the store. Delicious options include Lemon, Butter Pecan, Spice , Pineapple, Coconut, Pumpkin or Strawberry. Check out this Strawberry Honey Bun Cake or Strawberry Crunch Tres Leches Cake recipes !!!
Nuts & Spices - Add crunch with almonds, walnuts, or pecans. For even more flavor replace the cinnamon with pumpkin spice blend or mixed spice.
Icing - Swap the vanilla for almond, lemon or orange extracts. You can also use fresh citrus juice or zest.
Tips & Suggestions
Reduce the sweetness of the cake by cutting the measurements of the cinnamon brown sugar and the icing in half.
This cake is best served warm with an extra drizzle of icing.
Make the glaze while the cake is baking, so it’s ready to pour when the cake is hot.
If you prefer not to use a boxed cake mix, use your favorite vanilla or yellow cake recipe. Don’t forget to add in butter and cream cheese.
Bring the butter and cream cheese to room temperature or softened, it will be easier to mix.
Leftovers and Storage
Honey bun cake with the glaze can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Cut slices or the uncut cake can be wrapped in plastic wrap or parchment paper and stored in a freezer zipper bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Make Honey Bun Cake - Step By Step
Make Cinnamon Brown Sugar Filling
- Grab the brown sugar and ground cinnamon and prep them.
2. In a small bowl mix together brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
3. Mix well and set aside the filling.
Make Cake Batter
- Preheat the oven to 325℉.
- Grab all the prepped ingredients.
3. Place the softened cream cheese and butter into a mixing bow.
4. With a hand mixer on low-medium speed, cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
5. Add cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix for about 2 minutes.
6. Give the batter a good mix with a rubber spatula and set aside.
Layer The Cake
7. Grease the 9x13 baking pan with butter or oil.
8. Spread about half of the cake batter into the baking pan.
9. Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar mixture.
10. Top with the remaining cake batter, spreading evenly.
11. Place into the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes.
Make The Honey Vanilla Icing or Glaze
- Grab the ingredients and prep them.
2. In a small bowl mix together powdered sugar, honey, vanilla, and water.
3. Mix until smooth. Add extra water if needed. Set aside.
Topping The Cake
- Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.. Check that a toothpick comes out clean with a slight crumb.
2. With a toothpick poke holes all over the cake.
3. Drizzle the honey vanilla icing onto the hot cake. Smooth out evenly. Reserve some of the icing to drizzle on to the cake when serving.
4. Let the cake cool a bit. It's best served warmed with an extra drizzle of icing. Enjoy.
TikTok Honey Bun Cake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer
- Measuring Tools
- Rubber Spatula or Mixing Spoon
- Toothpick
- 9x13 Baking Dish
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 15.25 Box Yellow Cake Mix
- ½ Cup Butter (Softened)
- 8oz Block Cream Cheese (Softened)
- ¼ Cup Vegetable Oil
- 4 Eggs
- Extra Butter or Oil To Grease Baking Pan
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Filling
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
Honey Vanilla Icing or Glaze
- 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2-3 tablespoon Water (extract if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325℉.
Make Cinnamon Brown Sugar Filling
- In a small bowl mix together brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Make Cake Batter
- In a mixing bowl with a hand mixer on low-medium speed, cream together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix for about 2 minutes.
Layer The Cake
- Grease the 9x13 baking pan baking pan with butter or oil.
- Spread about half of the cake batter into the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar mixture.
- Top with the remaining cake batter, spreading evenly.
- Place into the oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. Until a toothpick comes out clean with a slight crumb.
Make The Honey Vanilla Icing or Glaze
- In a small bowl mix together powdered sugar, honey, vanilla, and water.
- Mix until smooth. Add extra water if needed. Set aside.
Glaze The Cake With Icing
- Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- With a toothpick poke holes all over the cake.
- Drizzle icing onto the hot cake. Smooth out evenly. Optional- Reserve some of the icing to drizzle on to the cake when serving.
- Let the cake cool a bit. It's best served warmed with an extra drizzle of icing. Enjoy.
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