Honey Bun Pound Cake Recipe

The Sweetest Honey Bun Pound Cake Recipe For Your Family Table

Sweet aromas of a honey bun pound cake will transport you to childhood memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Familiar ingredients blend into a magical dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Soft, dense textures promise pure comfort with every delectable slice.

Nostalgic flavors mingle in this delightful treat that celebrates simple pleasures.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this straightforward recipe with confidence.

Creamy, rich layers promise a decadent experience that might become your new favorite indulgence.

You won’t be able to resist sharing this irresistible cake with everyone around your table.

What Makes Honey Bun Pound Cake So Irresistible

  • Savor Delightful Comfort: A delectable pound cake that brings warmth and sweetness to your kitchen, perfect for satisfying cravings with minimal effort.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: An impressive cake that requires basic baking skills, making it ideal for home bakers wanting to wow family and friends without complex techniques.
  • Versatile Treat for All Occasions: Suitable for casual gatherings, potlucks, afternoon tea, or as a special weekend dessert that everyone will adore and remember.
  • Customize with Simple Variations: Easily adapt the recipe by adding nuts, changing honey drizzle intensity, or serving with whipped cream to match personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Honey Bun Pound Cake

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: The essential fat that provides richness and a tender texture to the pound cake.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a light, fluffy structure.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture and richness to the cake.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cake's structure.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, tender cake texture.
  • Vanilla Extract, Honey: Provide additional depth of flavor and sweetness to the pound cake.
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and enhance the overall flavor profile of the dessert.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Honey Bun Pound Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm up your oven to 325F (165C). Generously coat a bundt pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Base

Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, airy, and creates soft peaks. This process takes about 3-5 minutes of continuous blending.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Gently fold in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is completely mixed before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Components

In a separate mixing bowl, thoroughly blend:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Whisk ingredients until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the creamy base, alternating with whole milk. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently to maintain cake’s delicate texture.

Step 6: Bake Golden Cake

Transfer batter into prepared bundt pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Create Honey Glaze

While cake remains warm, puncture multiple holes across the top using a fork. Drizzle honey generously, allowing it to seep into cake’s crevices.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let cake rest in pan until completely cooled. Carefully invert onto serving plate, slice, and savor each delectable bite.

Pro Tips for Baking Honey Bun Pound Cake

  • Create consistent holes when drizzling honey to help cake absorb sweet liquid evenly throughout the entire surface.
  • Check cake doneness early by inserting toothpick around 55-60 minutes to prevent potential over-baking and dry texture.
  • Select high-quality honey for richer flavor – local wildflower or clover honey works wonderfully and adds deeper taste complexity to the pound cake.
  • Use room temperature eggs to help them blend more seamlessly into butter-sugar mixture, creating smoother cake batter without potential lumps.

Delicious Variations of Honey Bun Pound Cake

  • Citrus Zinger Pound Cake: Add lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright, tangy flavor profile. Swap honey drizzle with a citrus glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh citrus juice.
  • Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top after drizzling honey for extra texture and rich, earthy undertones.
  • Spiced Warmth Variation: Mix ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the dry ingredients. Replace vanilla extract with almond extract for a warming, aromatic cake that hints at classic holiday flavors.
  • Chocolate Marble Swirl: Divide the batter and mix cocoa powder into half.

Pairing Recommendations for Honey Bun Pound Cake

  • Pair with Smooth Vanilla Latte: Rich, creamy coffee complements the cake's sweet honey notes, creating a delightful morning or afternoon treat that balances the cake's richness.
  • Serve with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with a touch of ground cinnamon to add a warm, spicy dimension that enhances the cake's honey and vanilla undertones.
  • Match with Caramel Pecan Ice Cream: Creamy, nutty ice cream provides a cool contrast to the warm pound cake, with caramel notes that echo the honey's sweetness.
  • Accompany with Chamomile Tea: Light, floral tea cuts through the cake's density, offering a gentle, soothing counterpoint to the rich dessert.

Storage Guidelines for Honey Bun Pound Cake

  • Store the honey bun pound cake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Seal completely to prevent moisture loss and preserve freshness.
  • Wrap the entire cooled cake in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw individual slices at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Bun Pound Cake

  • Why is my cake dense and heavy?

Overmixing the batter can develop gluten, making the cake tough. Mix ingredients just until combined and avoid stirring too much after adding flour.

  • How do I know if my butter is at the right temperature?

Softened butter should be cool to the touch but easily spreadable. Leave it out for 30-45 minutes before baking, or cut into small cubes to soften faster.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate added salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter allows better control of the cake’s saltiness and provides a more consistent flavor.

  • Why should I use room temperature eggs?

Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the batter, creating a more uniform texture and helping the cake rise evenly during baking.

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Honey Bun Pound Cake Recipe

Honey Bun Pound Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 75-90 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet Southern charm meets classic baking with this honey bun pound cake, a nostalgic dessert that blends comforting flavors and tender crumb. Drizzled with a delicate glaze and swirled with cinnamon, you’ll savor each rich, moist slice of pure homemade goodness.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup honey

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 325F (165C) and thoroughly coating a bundt pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Using an electric mixer, vigorously blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-5 minutes.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract thoroughly.
  4. In a separate container, delicately combine flour, baking powder, and salt through gentle whisking to ensure even distribution.
  5. Methodically fold dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, interspersing with whole milk. Maintain a gentle mixing technique, beginning and concluding with dry ingredients to achieve a uniform batter.
  6. Transfer the smooth batter into the prepared bundt pan, using a spatula to create an even surface. Position in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges completely clean.
  7. While the cake remains warm, strategically puncture multiple holes across the surface using a fork. Generously drizzle honey over the perforated cake, allowing it to seep deeply into the interior.
  8. Permit the cake to cool entirely within the pan before inverting onto a decorative serving plate. Slice into elegant portions and savor the rich, honey-infused dessert.

Notes

  • Check butter temperature by leaving it out 30-60 minutes before baking, ensuring it’s soft but not melted for perfect creaming.
  • Use room temperature eggs to help create a smoother, more even cake batter and prevent potential curdling.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter after adding flour to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
  • Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 456
  • Sugar: 32 g
  • Sodium: 145 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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