Cozy Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake Recipe with Dreamy Cinnamon Icing

Tucked between layers of comfort, this sweet potato honey bun cake whispers warmth and nostalgia.

Home bakers might find themselves captivated by its unexpected richness.

Each slice promises a tender embrace of autumnal spices and sweet indulgence.

Cinnamon cream cheese icing adds a luxurious crown to this delectable creation.

Soft crumbs melt effortlessly, revealing hints of earthy sweet potato and delicate honey notes.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen dance through every carefully crafted bite.

You’ll want to savor this extraordinary dessert slowly, letting its complex flavors unfold.

Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing: Why It’s a Favorite

• Combine ingredients in one bowl, mix, and bake- no complicated techniques required for even beginner bakers.
• Delivers warm, nostalgic flavors that appeal to all ages, making it perfect for casual gatherings or weekend treats.
• Works brilliantly as a breakfast cake, afternoon snack, or elegant dessert that impresses without complex cooking skills.

Must-Have Ingredients for Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• Sweet Potato: Provides moisture and natural sweetness to the cake base.
• Cake Mix: Simplifies the cake preparation and ensures consistent texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds richness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.

• Milk, Sour Cream: Enhance moisture and create a soft, tender cake texture.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and deepens flavor profile.

• Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Create a warm, spicy swirl throughout the cake.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Form the creamy, rich base of the icing.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the icing.
• Vanilla Extract, Ground Cinnamon: Add depth and warmth to the cream cheese icing.
• Milk: Adjusts the icing consistency as needed.

Guide to Making Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan
• Dust pan with flour

Step 2: Mix Cake Base

• Sweet potato (mashed)
• Cake mix
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Honey

Blend all ingredients in a large bowl using medium mixer speed until smooth

Step 3: Create Cinnamon Sugar Layer

• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Step 4: Layer Cake Batter

Pour half cake batter into prepared pan

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across batter

Add remaining cake batter

Gently swirl layers with knife for marbled design

Step 5: Bake Cake

Slide pan into preheated oven

Bake 35-40 minutes

Check doneness with toothpick inserted in center

Step 6: Cool Cake

Rest cake in pan 15 minutes

Transfer to wire rack

Allow complete cooling

Step 7: Prepare Cream Cheese Icing

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Powdered sugar

Add milk gradually until desired consistency

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Spread icing evenly across cooled cake

Cut into squares

Enjoy delicious cake

Pro Suggestions for Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• Swap Ingredients Smartly: Replace vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce for a healthier version that keeps the cake moist and reduces overall fat content.
• Boost Moisture Technique: Add an extra tablespoon of sour cream to ensure the cake remains incredibly soft and tender, preventing any potential dryness.
• Perfect Swirling Strategy: Use a wooden skewer or thin knife to create delicate marble patterns by making figure-eight movements gently through the batter layers.
• Customize Icing Consistency: Control the cream cheese frosting texture by gradually adding milk, which helps you achieve either a thick spread or a drizzle-like consistency.
• Store Strategically: Keep the cake refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify over time.

How to Store and Heat Up Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight. Warm individual pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until slightly heated through.
• Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavor.

Top Pairings for Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

• Creamy, spiced chai tea complements the cake's sweet potato and cinnamon flavors, creating a cozy, comforting combination that enhances the dessert's warm, homey profile.
• Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the cake's warm, dense texture, balancing the sweetness and adding a luxurious creamy element.
• Rich caramel sauce and toasted pecans sprinkled on top add depth, crunch, and a decadent layer of flavor that elevates the cake's already complex taste profile.
• Crisp, slightly tangy apple cider with hints of warm spices perfectly complements the cake's autumnal notes, creating a harmonious and seasonal dessert experience.

Flavor Variations for Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

Gluten-Free Version: Replace the cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Perfect for those with wheat sensitivities or celiac disease.

Pumpkin Variation: Substitute sweet potato with equal amounts of canned pumpkin puree. Add a pinch of nutmeg and ginger for a seasonal autumn flavor profile that complements the existing cinnamon notes.

Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cream cheese alternative, coconut milk instead of regular milk, and plant-based butter substitute. Maintain the original recipe’s rich texture while accommodating lactose-intolerant individuals.

Low-Sugar Option: Replace honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, use a sugar-free cake mix, and reduce powdered sugar in the icing. Incorporate unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture and provide natural sweetness.

Sweet Potato Honey Bun Cake With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent sweet potato honey bun cake merges Southern comfort with delightful sweetness, promising a mouthwatering dessert experience. Creamy cinnamon cream cheese icing crowns this irresistible treat, beckoning you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) yellow cake mix
• 1 cup (230 grams) mashed sweet potato
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

Sweeteners and Fats:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed

Spices and Icing Components:

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 115 grams (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 12 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease and flour coating.
2. Craft the cake foundation by whisking mashed sweet potato, cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, sour cream, and honey together in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a velvety, uniform consistency.
3. Construct a delicate cinnamon sugar mixture by blending brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a compact bowl.
4. Create visual intrigue by layering half the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even distribution, then generously scatter the cinnamon sugar across the initial layer.
5. Complete the layering process by adding the remaining batter atop the cinnamon sugar, then delicately swirl the layers using a knife or skewer to produce an elegant marbled effect.
6. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free of raw batter.
7. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
8. Prepare the luxurious icing by whipping cream cheese and butter until smooth and glossy.
9. Enhance the cream cheese mixture with vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and powdered sugar, blending until completely integrated.
10. Adjust the icing’s texture by gradually incorporating milk, one tablespoon at a time, until achieving the desired spreadable consistency.
11. Lavishly coat the cooled cake with the cinnamon cream cheese icing, ensuring an even distribution.
12. Slice into generous squares and serve with enthusiasm.

Notes

• Elevate the cake’s moisture by using fresh, high-quality sweet potatoes, ensuring a smoother and more vibrant texture.
• Swap dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free version that maintains the cake’s rich flavor profile.
• Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or reducing honey quantity for a more health-conscious dessert option without compromising taste.
• Enhance presentation by garnishing with toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon to add visual appeal and complementary crunch to the creamy icing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg