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Honey Bun Cake

Honey Bun Cake
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This Honey Bun Cake recipe perfectly blends the rich sweetness of honey with warm cinnamon in a moist, fluffy cake swirled with luscious cinnamon filling. Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, it brings bakery-inspired magic to your kitchen with easy steps and simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking mix for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based margarine for vegan)
  • 3 large eggs (or 3 flax eggs for vegan)
  • ⅓ cup honey (or pure maple syrup as a substitute)
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk (or almond/oat milk for vegan)

Cinnamon Swirl

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter (or plant-based margarine for vegan)
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: ½ cup diced apples or raisins

Glaze (Optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients measured and ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your baking pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This guarantees an even rise and consistent texture throughout the cake.
  3. Combine Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step aerates the butter, helping create a tender cake crumb.
  4. Add Eggs and Honey: Mix in the eggs one at a time to maintain texture, then slowly incorporate the honey, which adds moisture and that signature sweetness.
  5. Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with milk (or buttermilk), beginning and ending with dry ingredients. This keeps the batter smooth and luscious.
  6. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: Mix brown sugar with cinnamon and melted butter to create the swirl filling. Add chopped nuts or diced fruits if using.
  7. Assemble the Cake: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, spread half of the cinnamon mixture over it, then repeat layers. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together for a beautiful marbled effect.
  8. Bake and Cool: Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
  9. Add the Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with milk until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake to add a sweet, glossy finish reminiscent of classic honey buns.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, milk) for better mixing and texture.
  • Mix batter just until combined to keep the cake tender and light; don’t overmix.
  • Swirl the cinnamon mixture gently to maintain a distinct marbled look without blending too much.
  • Freshly ground cinnamon provides more vibrant and intense flavor.
  • Check oven temperature with an oven thermometer for accurate baking time and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Honey bun cake, cinnamon swirl cake, sweet breakfast cake, easy honey cake, bakery style cake

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/honey-bun-cake/