If you’re a fan of the classic honeybun pastry but crave a twist with a touch of fall flavor, this Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake is going to be your new favorite dessert. With its moist texture, warm spices, and a sweet swirl of cinnamon sugar running through the middle, it’s like a cozy hug in cake form. The sweet potatoes bring extra moisture and subtle sweetness, making this cake irresistible from the first bite to the last.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
What makes this cake a must-bake? It has all the comforting flavors of a traditional honeybun cake but with the added depth of mashed sweet potatoes. The combination of granulated sugar, brown sugar, and the cinnamon swirl creates that signature honeybun taste. Plus, the sweet potatoes add richness and keep the cake soft and moist, while the spices give it a perfect seasonal touch. Whether you’re serving it as an afternoon snack, a breakfast treat, or a show-stopping dessert, this cake is sure to become a favorite.
The Perfect Fall Dessert
This Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake brings a unique twist to a beloved classic. The mashed sweet potatoes give it a rich, tender crumb, while the cinnamon sugar swirl creates a sticky, gooey layer in the middle, reminiscent of your favorite honeybun. The glaze adds a final touch of sweetness, making this cake as good to look at as it is to eat. Serve it warm with a cup of coffee, or as an after-dinner dessert—it’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Sweet Potatoes: One cup of mashed sweet potatoes adds moisture and a naturally sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon swirl.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This combination adds sweetness and depth, giving the cake a caramelized richness that sets it apart.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft without overpowering the flavors.
- Eggs: Two large eggs provide structure and help bind everything together.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and keeps the cake fluffy and light.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor, bringing out the warmth of the spices.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cake, ensuring it has the perfect structure.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These help the cake rise beautifully.
- Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger add layers of warmth and complexity, making each bite a celebration of fall flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Sifting helps ensure the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the cake.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until fully combined. Be sure not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
Step 5: Cinnamon Swirl Magic
In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon swirl. This creates the signature honeybun flavor inside the cake.
Step 6: Layer and Swirl
Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared baking pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter, then pour the remaining batter on top. Use a knife to gently swirl the batter, creating a marbled effect.
Step 7: Sprinkle More Cinnamon
Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the cake for an extra hit of sweetness.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell of cinnamon and sweet potato will fill your kitchen, making it hard to wait!
Step 9: Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Step 10: Glaze Time
For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle it generously over the cooled cake to complete your masterpiece.
Recipe Card
Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake
Ingredients
Sweet potatoes: 1 cup mashed
Granulated sugar: 1 cup
Brown sugar: 1/2 cup (packed)
Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup
Eggs: 2 large
Buttermilk: 1 cup
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups
Baking powder: 1 tablespoon
Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon
Ginger: 1/2 teaspoon
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup
Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon
- For the Glaze:
Powdered sugar: 1 cup
Milk: 2 tablespoons
Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Combine: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until fully combined.
- Cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar.
- Layer: Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mix on top, then pour the remaining batter. Swirl gently with a knife. Top with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mix.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake is a delightful combination of cozy, familiar flavors with a seasonal twist. The sweet potato adds a wonderful texture and flavor that complements the classic honeybun cake, while the cinnamon swirl adds that sticky, irresistible layer. Topped with a simple glaze, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings, weekend breakfasts, or just because. Enjoy a slice with a warm beverage and savor the flavors of fall in every bite!