Transform A Box Of Spiced Cake Mix Into A Warm Cozy Treat Perfect For Colder Weather

Many home bakers have a secret, and that secret is boxed cake mix. It can be frowned upon, and a lot of pre-made mixes don't quite live up to bakery standard, but if you find one that is tasty, high quality, and consistent, it can be a game-changer when you're short on time — especially when you use it as a base for a more complex dessert, like a sweet and cozy honey bun cake.

A honey bun cake is a moist, gooey one-pan dessert that contains a delicious cinnamon swirl filling and glazed topping, mimicking the flavor of one of Little Debbie's most nostalgic treats. A boxed yellow cake mix is typically used, but if you swap in a good-quality spiced cake mix, you can turn up the fall flavor even more.

Spiced cake mixes typically contain some combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, which play with the filling of a honey bun cake perfectly. This creates a deeper, more complex flavor that is present throughout the entire cake, rather than just in the middle layer. Krusteaz's Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread Mix is the best spice cake mix to use, in our opinion. Other than that, you just need a few simple ingredients. 

To make a warming honey bun cake, just combine the spice cake mix with eggs, oil, and some sour cream for added moisture. Some people like to use a little milk, too. Honey is also a nice addition when you're looking to replicate that honey bun flavor. Pour half of the batter into a greased rectangular pan, sprinkle a layer of balanced cinnamon sugar over it and swirl slightly, and then pour the rest of the batter on top. When the cake is baked and still warm, cover it with glaze.

A simple vanilla glaze made with powdered sugar and milk works but a cream cheese one will really complement the spices. The glaze will seep into the cake if you poke a few holes in it and spread while warm, but it's fine to add it to a cooled cake, too. 

You could add some cinnamon to the glaze or sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top. A little freshly ground pumpkin pie spice would also really amp up the fall flavor. If you want honey to actually shine through, drizzle some on top of the batter or filling before baking. You could add pecans to the cinnamon sugar filling for some crunch. Serve warm or cold, with a little whipped cream for a really indulgent treat. 

@zeetheintrovert

Spiced Honey Bun Cake 🫶🏽 Cake * 1 box spice cake mix * 4 large eggs, room temp. * 1 cup sour cream, room temp. * 1/2 cup milk, room temp. * 3/4 cup vegetable oil * 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract * 1/4 cup honey Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling * 1 cup brown sugar * 3 tsp cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze * 2oz cream cheese, softened to room temp. * 2 cups powdered sugar * 1/4 cup milk, room temp. * 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Bake Temperature: 350F Bake Time: 35-45 minutes Pan: 9x13 1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. Add your cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, milk and honey to a bowl. Mix until everything is combined. 3. In another bowl, add your brown sugar and cinnamon to mix together your brown sugar cinnamon swirl. 4. Spray your 9x13 pan generously with nonstick baking spray. 5. Pour 1/2 of your cake batter in pan and spread out. 6. Add 1/2 of your brown sugar cinnamon mixture to the top. 7. Pour the rest of your cake batter on top and sprinkle the rest of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture on top. 8. Using the back of a knife, swirl your cake batter and brown sugar cinnamon together. 9. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick or knife comes out clean and the middle of the cake is not wobbly. 10. Take out of oven and let cool for 10-20 minutes. 11. Now it's time to make your cream cheese glaze. 12. Add your cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to a bowl and whisk together until combined. 13. While your cake is still slightly warm, pour your icing on top. It will set and crackle to resemble the icing on a honey bun. 14. Cut and bite into this delicious moist honey bun cake that will make your slap the counter and maybe even slap your mama! #spicedhoneybuncake #honeybuncake #cakerecipes #falldesserts #zeetheintrovert

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