This 5-Star Honey Bun Cake Recipe Is Trending—and It Starts With a Box Mix

Find out why this cozy cake is moving up in the recipe rankings.

You know those desserts that don't just feel like a mix of delicious ingredients, but more like a warm hug from grandma? Well, this is one of those recipes—and best of all, it starts with a boxed cake mix.

"This is, by far, my favorite dessert recipe to make," says recipe reviewer Ricky Merritt.

Honey bun cake is a buttery, light, and unbelievably moist cake swirled with cinnamon-sugar flavors. It takes all the comfort of a warm cinnamon roll and puts it in cake form. No matter what season it is (or how warm it is outside), a bite of this cake will make you want to curl up underneath a heavy blanket with a cup of coffee.

This one-bowl recipe uses several tricks to give the boxed cake base a home-style feel. Sour cream makes the cake crumb extra moist and rich, while the cinnamon-sugar spiral gives the cake warmth and elegance. Once you reveal the final product, no one will believe you didn't even have to pull out the mixer.

So, when you have an upcoming baby shower, brunch, or bake sale, this is the treat to make. Better yet, whip this up just before you have company over—it’ll send irresistible smells wafting through your home.

No matter the occasion, the sweet, simple taste of this long-time community favorite brings back “memories of a different time,” one Allrecipes user puts it.

What Is a Honey Bun Cake?

A honey bun cake is a sweet and simple dessert inspired by a honey bun pastry. The signature flavors are vanilla and cinnamon, and buttermilk or sour cream is often used in the batter to give the cake a slight tang. The cake has a characteristic cinnamon-sugar ribbon swirled through it, and is typically served warm with a sweet, sticky glaze on top, just like a traditional honey bun.

This recipe is made from a store-bought yellow cake mix, but it can also be made from scratch if you’re really in the baking spirit. Whether you serve it as a breakfast treat or a holiday dessert, it’ll deliver cozy flavors in every bite.

How to Make a Honey Bun Cake

To start this boxed mix makeover, you’ll make the cake batter as directed, but add in a whole container of sour cream. Next, pour half of the batter into an ungreased cake pan (you can use a 9x13 glass baking dish or a bundt cake depending on your preferred presentation).

To create the honey bun effect, layer a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon on top, pour on the remaining batter, then use a butter knife to create a sweet and spicy swirl throughout the mix.

Before the cake has cooled, drizzle a simple frosting of confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla on top, allowing it to seep into the hot cake. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a melt-in-your-melt dessert experience.

Get the Recipe: Honey Bun Cake