The Best Honey Bun Cake Recipe for Sweet Morning Treats

Pumpkin honey bun cake emerges as an irresistible autumn treat that captures seasonal magic in every delectable slice.

Warm spices dance through soft, tender layers, creating a sensory experience that feels like a cozy embrace.

Rich and indulgent, this dessert upgrades ordinary baking into a celebration of fall’s most beloved ingredients.

Nutty undertones and sweet glazed surfaces promise a memorable culinary adventure for anyone craving comfort.

Each forkful whispers stories of crisp afternoons and golden landscapes, inviting you to savor its delightful complexity.

The cake incredible balance between moisture and flavor makes it an instant crowd-pleaser for gatherings and quiet moments alike.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Oil
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Pumpkin
• Spice

Beat the ingredients for 2 minutes until smooth and well blended. Spread of batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Step 3: Add the Nutty Filling

• Chopped walnuts
• Brown sugar

Sprinkle the walnut-sugar mixture evenly over the first layer of batter.

Step 4: Layer the Remaining Batter

Spoon the remaining batter over the filling, carefully spreading it to cover the entire surface.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Whip Up the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Once the cake is out of the oven, immediately pour the glaze over the hot cake. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips to Make Your Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake Even Better

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for cake mix, oil, eggs, and spices to ensure consistent texture and flavor every time.
• Mix Thoroughly: Beat the batter for the full 2 minutes to create a smooth, well-incorporated base that guarantees a tender cake.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick at an angle near the center to confirm the cake is fully baked without disturbing the whole surface.
• Glaze While Hot: Pour the sweet vanilla glaze immediately after baking to help it seep into the warm cake, creating maximum moisture and flavor absorption.
• Store Smartly: Cover the cake loosely with foil at room temperature to maintain its softness and prevent drying out for up to 3 days.

Storing Leftover Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake for Maximum Freshness

• Store Leftovers: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture. Refrigerate for up to 5 days to keep the cake fresh and prevent spoilage.
• Reheat Method 1 – Microwave: Place a single slice on a microwave-safe plate. Warm for 15-20 seconds until heated through, checking to avoid overheating and drying out the cake.
• Reheat Method 2 – Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place cake slices on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm for 10-12 minutes until the cake is gently heated and soft.
• Freezing Option: Slice the cake, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Pairing Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake with the Perfect Beverages

• Pair with Warm Spiced Apple Cider: The cozy autumn flavors of pumpkin and spice in the cake perfectly complement a steaming mug of spiced apple cider, enhancing the cake's warm, comforting notes.
• Combine with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream provides a cool, smooth contrast to the cake's rich, spicy texture, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• Serve alongside Caramel Macchiato: The sweet, buttery caramel notes in a macchiato beautifully highlight the cake's nutty walnut and brown sugar filling, offering a luxurious flavor combination.
• Match with Chai Tea Latte: The aromatic spices in chai tea harmonize wonderfully with the pumpkin and spice in the cake, creating a deeply satisfying seasonal indulgence.

Add Unique Twists to Your Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cake: Replace walnuts with chopped pecans and swap brown sugar with maple syrup for a rich, autumnal flavor profile. Drizzle maple glaze instead of vanilla for extra warmth.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Pumpkin Cake: Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla separately. Create swirls throughout the batter before baking for a tangy, creamy element that complements the pumpkin's sweetness.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake: Fold semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter and sprinkle some on top before baking. This adds a decadent chocolate dimension to the classic pumpkin cake.
• Caramel Apple Pumpkin Cake: Dice fresh apples and mix them into the batter. Top with a caramel drizzle instead of vanilla glaze for a complex, seasonal dessert that balances sweet and tart flavors.

Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake: A Fall Favorite You Can’t Miss

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: This pumpkin honey bun cake captures the warm, cozy essence of autumn with its rich spices and sweet glaze, making every bite feel like a comforting hug.
• Effortless Baking Delight: The recipe simplifies gourmet baking by using cake mix and easy-to-find ingredients, allowing even novice bakers to create a stunning dessert in under an hour.
• Texture Sensation: Enjoy the perfect balance of soft, moist cake layers with a crunchy walnut-sugar filling that adds delightful contrast and depth to each forkful.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or weekend treats, this cake satisfies sweet cravings while offering a healthier twist on traditional honey buns with added pumpkin nutrition.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Pumpkin Honey Bun Cake

• Cake Mix: A convenient base that ensures a soft, consistent texture with minimal effort.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
• Sour Cream: Enhances richness and creates a more moist cake.
• Pumpkin: Brings seasonal flavor and natural moisture to the cake.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers warm, classic autumn spice notes.

• Walnuts: Adds crunch and nutty depth to the cakes texture.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet, caramel-like layer between cake batters.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides the base for a smooth, sweet topping.
• Milk: Helps thin and create the right consistency for the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the overall sweetness of the glaze.

Honey Bun Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern pumpkin honey bun cake brings warmth to autumn gatherings with its rich spices and smooth honey glaze. Moist layers promise comfort and nostalgia, inviting friends and family to savor delightful seasonal flavors.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box super moist yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 2.5 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 0.75 cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, large eggs, tangy sour cream, pureed pumpkin, and warming pumpkin pie spice. Blend the ingredients using an electric mixer for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Transfer of the cake batter into the prepared pan, creating an even base layer.
4. Create a delectable filling by thoroughly mixing chopped walnuts with rich brown sugar, then generously sprinkle this crumbly mixture across the initial batter layer.
5. Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter over the walnut-sugar filling, ensuring complete and even coverage using a spatula.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with no raw batter.
7. While the cake bakes, prepare a luscious glaze by whisking powdered sugar, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and drizzling consistency is achieved.
8. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and immediately drizzle the glaze over the warm surface, allowing it to seep into the cake’s crevices.
9. Allow the glazed cake to cool completely at room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Elevate your baking game with this crowd-pleasing pumpkin dessert that transforms a simple cake mix into a decadent treat.
• Spice blend adds warmth and depth, making each bite reminiscent of cozy autumn afternoons.
• Swirling brown sugar and walnut filling creates beautiful marbled layers with irresistible caramelized crunch.
• Creamy glaze drizzled while cake is hot ensures maximum flavor absorption and glossy, tempting finish.
• Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or weekend family dessert that requires minimal preparation time.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Protein: 4.5g
• Cholesterol: 70mg