Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake is a delicious, moist, and flavorful cake that combines the richness of sweet potatoes with the sweet, cinnamon-spiced layers of a traditional honeybun cake. The result is a soft, tender cake with a swirl of cinnamon and a sweet glaze on top. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert for any occasion!
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
- 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (about 1 medium sweet potato)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for added crunch)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for a richer glaze)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish or coat it with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- If you’re using fresh sweet potatoes, peel and cube them, then cook them by steaming or boiling until soft (about 15-20 minutes). Mash the sweet potatoes and set them aside to cool slightly. You’ll need about 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes for this recipe.
3. Mix the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, mashed sweet potatoes, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for a few minutes, but mixing by hand will also work.
4. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. If you’re using nuts, add the chopped pecans or walnuts to the mixture as well.
5. Assemble the Cake:
- Pour about 2/3 of the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the batter. Make sure to spread it evenly for a nice swirl.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake batter on top of the cinnamon swirl. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl the batter and cinnamon mixture together, creating a marbled effect.
6. Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs).
- Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking to make sure it doesn’t overbake. The cake should be golden and slightly puffed.
7. Prepare the Glaze:
- While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon (if using) in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, you can add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a pourable consistency.
8. Glaze the Cake:
- Once the cake has finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- While the cake is still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. The glaze will melt into the cake, adding sweetness and moisture.
9. Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool completely, or serve it warm. Slice it into squares and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- More Cinnamon Flavor: If you love cinnamon, add an extra teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake batter itself for an added flavor boost.
- Nut-Free Version: If you’re not a fan of nuts, simply omit the chopped pecans or walnuts from the cinnamon swirl.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: For a richer glaze, you can use a cream cheese glaze by combining 4 oz cream cheese with powdered sugar and milk instead of the simple powdered sugar glaze.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze slices for up to a month.
Serving Suggestions:
- Breakfast or Brunch: Serve this Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake as part of a hearty breakfast or brunch, paired with coffee or tea.
- Dessert: It also makes for a fantastic dessert, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- With Fruit: Fresh berries, like blueberries or raspberries, can make a great topping or side dish to balance the sweetness of the cake.
This Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake is moist, flavorful, and filled with warm spices, making it a perfect fall dessert or a cozy treat year-round. The sweet potato adds a subtle richness, while the cinnamon swirl and glaze bring that irresistible honeybun-like flavor. Enjoy!
