Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake

This Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake is a delicious fusion of classic comfort desserts, combining the moist texture of sweet potato cake with cinnamon-sugar swirl of a honey bun. Made with real baked sweet potatoes and brown sugar, delivers deep flavor and natural sweetness, enhanced by warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla.

As it bakes, the cinnamon-sugar filling melts into the batter, creating flavorful ribbon throughout the cake. Once cooled, I finished with a smooth vanilla glaze that drips beautifully over the golden crust, adding just the right touch of sweetness.
This cake is perfect for holiday gatherings, Sunday brunch, or an anytime dessert. It’s the kind of treat that fills your plate with pure comfort. Serve it slightly warm for the ultimate experience.

Why You'll Absolutely Love This Cake

You will love this Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake because it’s the perfect blend of warm, flavors and comfort. The natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a moist and tender cake. The cinnamon-sugar swirl gives it that irresistible honey bun twist, while the vanilla glaze on top adds just the right touch of sweetness. It’s easy to make, visually stunning, and delivers bakery-style flavor straight from your kitchen. Whether served at holidays or just because, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels both homemade and indulgent.

Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake

This Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert made with baked sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and warm spices. Swirled with a cinnamon-sugar layer and topped with a sweet glaze. It’s the perfect blend of classic honey bun flavor and rich Southern-style sweetness.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

Cake

• 1 cup Baked Sweet Potato
• ½ cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 3 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 cup Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon Cloves
• ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon Salt

Cinnamon Swirl

• ½ cup Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons Milk
• ½ Vanilla Extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine, mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract
• Whisk or mix until smooth and fully blended.
• In a separate bowl, sift together, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger
• Stir the dry ingredients to combine evenly.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the sweet potato mixture.
• Stir until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
• In a small bowl, mix together, granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This will be used for the cinnamon swirl layer.
• Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
• Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
• Add the remaining batter on top and gently swirl with a knife.
• Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, whisk together, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and pourable.
• Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake evenly. Let it set, then slice and serve.

Video

Recipe Tips

For the best flavor and texture, I use freshly baked and mashed sweet potatoes instead of canned. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness and gives the cake a richer, more authentic taste. Also, be sure to let the cake cool slightly before glazing so the icing sets without melting completely off the cake.

Keyword honey bun cake, sweet potato cake, sweet potato honey bun cake, sweet potato recipes

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