What’s the difference between a sticky bun and a honey bun?

Sticky buns are made with a caramel glaze and usually some kind of nut—pecans are most common. They’re baked upside-down and turned out after baking. Honey buns are rolled with cinnamon and topped with a soft glaze instead of caramel. A viral honey bun cake takes that same cozy cinnamon flavor and turns it into a soft, shareable cake.

What does adding sour cream to a cake batter do?

Sour cream makes the cake tender and moist without making it heavy. It balances the sweetness and keeps the crumb soft for days. That’s one of the reasons the viral honey bun cake turns out so well—even after sitting overnight.

Who makes the best honey buns?

Brands like Little Debbie or Hostess bring back memories, but nothing compares to homemade. When you bake a viral honey bun cake , it’s fresh from the oven, still warm, and full of real cinnamon flavor. That’s hard to beat.

What makes a honey bun a honey bun?

It’s that cinnamon swirl and soft glaze on top. Honey buns have always been known for their sweet filling and that melt-in-your-mouth bite. The viral honey bun cake captures those same flavors in an easier, one-pan format.

What is the difference between a bun and cake?

Buns are usually made with yeast and have more of a chewy bite, like bread. Cakes are softer and rise with baking powder. The viral honey bun cake blends the best parts of both—sweet like a bun, tender like a cake.

Why is a Bundt cake better than a regular cake?

Bundt pans help the cake bake evenly and hold onto glaze in all those grooves. That means every slice gets a bit of golden crust and glaze. It’s why many people choose to make their viral honey bun cake in a Bundt pan.

Can I use cream cheese in a viral honey bun cake?

Yes, and it’s delicious. Just mix cream cheese with a little powdered sugar and swirl it between layers of the batter. It gives your viral honey bun cake a rich, almost cheesecake-like center.

Can I make a viral honey bun cake without sour cream?

You can substitute plain yogurt if needed, but sour cream really gives the cake its signature texture. If you skip it, the viral honey bun cake may not be quite as moist.

How long does viral honey bun cake last?

If stored in an airtight container, it stays soft on the counter for 2–3 days. Refrigerate it to keep it longer—up to a week. It reheats beautifully in the microwave.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and double-check that your glaze ingredients are safe. Everything else about the viral honey bun cake works the same way.

Can I bake this cake in a regular square or sheet pan?

Absolutely. A 9x13 pan works just fine. You might need to check for doneness a little sooner, but the viral honey bun cake still bakes up beautifully and tastes just as good.

Why did my glaze soak in too much or disappear?

If you pour the glaze right when the cake comes out of the oven, it can soak in fully. Letting it cool for 5–10 minutes helps the glaze sit on top a little more. That way, your viral honey bun cake gets that lovely shiny finish.

Viral Honey Bun Cake: 1 Surprising Treat You’ll Love

Name: Honey Bun Cake Magic: The One You’ll Always Make Again
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (moist style); 3/4 cup sour cream; 4 large eggs; 3/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients

Scale

1 box yellow cake mix (moist style)

3/4 cup sour cream

4 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and grease a Bundt or 9×13-inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, sour cream, eggs, and oil until smooth.

3. Pour half the batter into your prepared pan.

4. In a separate bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon.

5. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter.

6. Top with the remaining batter and gently swirl using a butter knife.

7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. While the cake is baking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze.

9. Once the cake is out of the oven, pour the glaze over it while still warm.

10. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream if needed.

Store the cake at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Freeze individual slices by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe bag.

Author: Olivia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 420
Sugar: 39g
Sodium: 310mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: viral honey bun cake, cinnamon swirl cake, honey bun cake recipe