This Honey Bun Cake is so super simple to make, and we love the tradition of baking a Happy Birthday Jesus cake on Christmas morning in our home.
Honey Bun Cake (or Happy Birthday Jesus Cake)
Of all the recipes included in the 12 Days of Christmas Baking Cookbook, I think this is my favorite!
My friend Tiffany made this cake for our family soon after we had our third baby, and I remember eating nothing but Honey Bun Cake for two days straight! This is undoubtedly the yummiest, moistest, make-me-the-happiest breakfast cake ever, and now we make it for our Happy Birthday Jesus Cake on Christmas morning. (That was Tiffany’s idea too!)
I bake it early Christmas Eve so it's done and marked off my to-do list, and you can imagine how yummy my kitchen smells the rest of the day (heavenly!) Let me know if you try it out. . . I love hearing which recipes you guys like, and I'm almost positive this one will become a favorite in your home too!
Download your free 12 Days of Christmas Baking Grocery List and Cookbook over HERE. I'm amazed at how much easier it is to get ready for Christmas with a plan in place, and having this list has just made Christmas easier at our house this year!
Cake Batter Ingredients:
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup oil
Filling:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tsp. cinnamon
- Icing
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 5-6 tbsp. milk
- 3 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
- Mix the cake mix, sour cream, eggs, sugar & oil.
- In separate bowl stir together the brown sugar & cinnamon.
- Pour 1/2 of the cake mixture into 9×13 pan. Then add the brown sugar cinnamon mixture. . . (that's my Jackson sprinkling the sugar mixture, he couldn't stay out of the kitchen once he smelled the cinnamon!)
- Pour remaining cake batter on top. Bake at 275 for 50 -60 minutes. (And just wait for your house to start smelling divine!)
- While cake is baking, mix the icing ingredients all up together . . .
- …and pour over cake after it’s cooled slightly. YUMMMMMMM!
Looking for more ideas? Here you go:
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 1: Hello Dolly Bars
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 2: Muddy Buddy Chex Mix
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 3: Slow Cooker Christmas Candy
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 4: Perfect Peanut Butter Fudge
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 5: Homemade Cinnabons
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 6: Christmas Crack
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 7: No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars
- 12 Days Christmas Baking Day 8: Peppermint Fudge
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 9: Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER
- 12 Days of Christmas Baking Day 10: Easiest Fudge EVER
Looking for more penny pinched dessert ideas? Here you go.
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Do you need to grease the pan?
Hi, silly question probably, but does this need to be stored in the fridge?
Thanks!
Not a silly question Alyson, but it doesn’t need to be refrigerated – hope that helps! 🙂
I made this Christmas morning and it was a HUGE hit. My family said it tasted just like a honey bun. It will become a tradition! Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year.
Pam
So glad you all enjoyed it – thanks so much for letting me know!
I tried this last Christmas and it is WONDERFUL!!! One of my families favorites and also one of my church families favorites!!
worth the long wait for it to bake!!
Just wanted to make sure the oven should be at 275. This sounds so delish and I have everything on hand, can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
It is 275 – I know, it’s strange to cook so low but works perfectly! Hope you all enjoy it 🙂