Marry This Pioneer Woman Honeybun Cake Recipe is a moist and easy recipe, which is made with yellow cake mix and sour cream. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 55 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Honeybun Cake Recipe Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To Make Pioneer Woman Honeybun Cake
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and water. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat on medium speed until the batter is smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: In a separate small bowl, stir together the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon until they are evenly mixed.
- Layer the Cake: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the entire cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Carefully pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer and gently spread it to cover the filling.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps.
- Glaze the Warm Cake: As soon as you remove the cake from the oven, while it is still hot, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the surface. Immediately pour the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the hot cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get the glaze to soak in? The key is to poke holes in the cake and pour the glaze over it while the cake is still hot from the oven. This allows the glaze to melt and seep down into the cake, making it extra moist and flavorful.
- Can I use a different cake mix? Yes, while yellow cake mix is classic, you can also use a butter pecan, white, or even a spice cake mix for a different flavor variation.
- How do I know when the cake is done? The toothpick test is the most reliable method. The top will be golden brown, but inserting a toothpick into the center is the best way to check. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- How do I prevent the top layer of batter from mixing with the cinnamon swirl? Pour the second half of the batter slowly and in dollops over the cinnamon-sugar layer. Then, use an offset spatula to gently spread it to the edges. A little mixing is okay and creates a nice swirl effect.
What To Serve With Honeybun Cake
This sweet, rich cake is perfect on its own, but also pairs wonderfully with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A hot cup of coffee or tea
- A tall glass of cold milk
How To Store Honeybun Cake
- Room Temperature: Store the cake tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Refrigerate: You can also store it in the refrigerator, which will make it last a bit longer, up to a week.
Honeybun Cake Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 234 kcal per serving
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, adding 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar mixture is a delicious and popular variation that adds a nice crunch.
Why did my cinnamon swirl sink to the bottom?
This can sometimes happen if the batter is too thin or if the filling is too heavy. Make sure you are using the correct measurements for the batter ingredients.
My glaze is too thick/thin. How can I fix it?
The glaze is easy to adjust. If it’s too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Pioneer Woman Honeybun Cake Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes45
minutes234
kcalAn incredibly moist and easy cake made with a yellow cake mix, sour cream, and a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl running through the middle.
Ingredients
1 (15.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
Swirl: 1 cup brown sugar & 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Glaze: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, and water until smooth.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
- Pour half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top. Top with the remaining batter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is still hot, poke holes all over the top with a fork and pour the prepared glaze over it.
- Let the cake cool and the glaze set before slicing.
Notes
- Pouring the glaze over the cake while it is hot is essential for it to soak in properly.
- For an added crunch, consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the cinnamon-sugar filling.
- Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the cake. Start checking for doneness at the 40-minute mark.
- The sour cream is key to the cake’s moist texture; full-fat sour cream will yield the best results.
