The Honey Bun Swirl Cake is inspired by the flavors of a classic honey bun pastry. This moist and tender cake has a cinnamon-sugar swirl running through the middle, mimicking the sweet, sticky layers of a honey bun. Topped with a smooth vanilla glaze, this cake is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a sweet snack.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons milk (or more for a thinner glaze)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil until smooth and well combined.
3. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Layer the Cake and Swirl:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Pour the remaining cake batter over the cinnamon-sugar layer and gently spread it to cover.
5. Create the Swirl:
- Use a knife or spatula to gently swirl the layers by making figure-eight patterns in the batter. This creates the “swirl” effect.
6. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Prepare the Glaze:
- While the cake is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth.
8. Glaze the Cake:
- Once the cake is out of the oven and slightly cooled (but still warm), pour the glaze over the top of the cake, spreading it evenly.
9. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool completely so the glaze can set. Slice and serve!