Honey Bun Cupcakes are lovely and soft with great flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar and topped with a delicious homemade honey buttercream frosting.

We've got a wonderful cupcake recipe for you, generously shared by one of our readers, Dianne MeMe Bolen. Dianne has made some fantastic tasting honey bun cupcakes, adapted from our honey bun cake recipe, and then made a smooth, creamy homemade honey buttercream frosting.
The cupcakes are as soft as can be, with the flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar running through them. The addition of a honey buttercream frosting is truly wonderful and compliments the cinnamon and sugar flavors in the cupcakes.
The recipe itself is very straightforward. You can use a shop-bought yellow cake mix, or use our homemade recipe for yellow cake mix. Choose whatever suits you best. I know some of our readers outside of the USA can't get hold of yellow cake mix, so we've added the recipe below for you to do it from scratch.
This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, check Privacy Policy.
These cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, whether it's to take along to a party, or to give to friends and family, or simply have at home as a nice sweet treat. I think these would also be great as part of a Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert table, and you could even add some seasonal sprinkles on the tops of the frosting for the festive period!
So let's get to the recipe, and a huge thank you to Dianne for sharing her very own recipe. Please enjoy!
Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
16 Minutes
Check out our handy Oven Temperature Conversion Guide!
Serves
24 cupcakes
Frosting recipe By Dianne MeMe Bolen and cupcake recipe inspired from Sally Hall's Honey Bun Cake recipe
Ingredients
1 Box Yellow cake mix
⅔ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
The Frosting
2 sticks softened butter
½ cup shortening
4 cups confectioners sugar (may need to add a little more)
2 ½ Tablespoons honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 – 6 Tablespoons whole milk
*This is optional but if I have some on hand, I will add 2 tsp meringue powder to the frosting mixture which will help stabilize the frosting
If using our homemade Yellow cake mix, use the ingredients listed below:
- 2 ½ Cups or 310 g All Purpose / Plain Flour
- 2 ¼ Cups or 450 g Regular Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ Cup or 75 g Melted Butter
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Cup or 235 ml Sour Cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 Cup or 200 g Brown Sugar
Instructions
1. Pre heat oven to 350°F . Arrange 24 cupcake liners in baking pans.
2. In a bowl, beat cake mix, oil, eggs and sour cream until all combined. About 2 minutes.

*** If making this using our homemade yellow cake mix, add all the cake ingredients EXCEPT the brown sugar and cinnamon to a bowl and beat for about 2 minutes. Spread half of the batter in pan evenly. Then continue to step 3.
2. In a small bowl, add the brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Put 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of batter per cupcake liner, then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture on top.
4. Put 1 tablespoon of batter on top of the sugar /cinnamon mixture
5. Bake for 16 minutes, remove from the oven, let set in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
When cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with the honey buttercream fro/sting.
Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting.
5. For the honey buttercream frosting,
In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and shortening until mixed well.
- Add the honey and vanilla and mix.
- Add the confectioner's sugar and meringue powder.
- Add in 2 – 3 tablespoons of milk and cover the mixer with a clean towel to keep sugar dust from flying everywhere.
- Mix on medium speed until you get a smooth consistency. May need more milk (add ½ tablespoons of milk at a time to loosen the frosting or a little more sugar to thicken the frosting until you get the consistency you like.
- Remove the bowl from the mixture and take a spatula and mix to make sure everything on the sides and bottom of the bowl is mixed in good.
If you are going to use immediately, put into piping bag and frost the cooled cupcakes. If not going to use immediately, I take the towel and cover the bowl until you are ready to frost the cupcakes.

Notes
1. I have found that this makes enough for at least 24 cupcakes. I like a lot of frosting so if you don’t use as much as I did, you can get more cupcakes frosted.
2. ONLY use BUTTER (I use 1 stick of Kerrygold and 1 stick of Challenge. In case you forget to lay the butter out – wrap the sticks in a clean kitchen towel and put them in the microwave for 15 seconds, remove and put them into the mixer bowl.
3. I have used Crisco and Great Value shortening and I prefer the GV brand.
4. The meringue powder doesn’t affect the consistency of the frosting but I have used it in other frosting recipes and I just like the slight difference in the way the frosting feels in my mouth when I use it.
We'd love to hear from you and what you thought of our recipe. Did you make any changes or add some other ingredients? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!
Recipe Card

Honey Bun Cupcakes with Honey Buttercream Frosting
Honey Bun Cupcakes are lovely and soft with great flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar and topped with a homemade honey buttercream frosting
Ingredients
- 1 Box Yellow cake mix
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
The Frosting:
- 2 sticks softened butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 4 cups confectioners sugar (may need to add a little more)
- 2 ½ Tablespoons honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 – 6 Tablespoons whole milk
- *Optional: if I have some on hand, add 2 tsp meringue powder to the frosting mixture
Instructions
1. Pre heat oven to 350∞F Grease a 13 x 9 -inch pan
2. In a bowl, beat cake mix, oil, eggs and sour cream until all combined. About 2 minutes.
3. In small bowl, add the brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Put 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of batter per cupcake liner, then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture on top.
5. Put 1 tablespoon of batter on top of the sugar /cinnamon mixture
6. Bake for 16 minutes, remove from the oven, let set in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
7. When cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with the honey buttercream frosting.
8.. For the frosting, In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and shortening until mixed well.
9. Add the honey and vanilla and mix.
10. Add the confectioner's sugar and meringue powder.
11. Add in 2 – 3 tablespoons of milk and cover the mixer with a clean towel to keep sugar dust from flying everywhere.
12. Mix on medium speed until you get a smooth consistency. You may need more milk (add ½ tablespoon of milk at a time to loosen the frosting or a little more sugar to thicken the frosting until you get the consistency you like.
13. Remove the bowl from the mixture and take a spatula and mix to make sure everything on the sides and bottom of the bowl is mixed in good.
If you are going to use immediately, put into piping bag and frost the cooled cupcakes. If not going to use immediately, I take the towel and cover the bowl until you are ready to frost the cupcakes.
Notes
1. I have found that this makes enough for at least 24 cupcakes. I like a lot of frosting so if you don’t use as much as I did, you can get more cupcakes frosted.
2. ONLY use BUTTER (I use 1 stick of Kerrygold and 1stick of Challenge. In case you forget to lay the butter out – wrap the sticks in a clean kitchen towel and put them in the microwave for 15 seconds, remove and put them into the mixer bowl.
3. I have used Crisco and Great Value shortening and I prefer the GV brand.
4. The meringue powder doesn’t affect the consistency of the frosting but I have used it in other frosting recipes and I just like the slight difference in the way the frosting feels in my mouth when I use it.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Wilton 710-3472 12 Count Christmas Gingerbread Icing Decorations
-
Wilton 710-3468 12 Count Christmas Tree Royal Icing Decorations
-
Kootek 32-Piece Cake Decorating Tools Supplies Kit 24 Numbered Icing Tips with 2 Pastry Bags, 3 Icing Smoothers, 1 Flower Nail and 2 Reusable Couplers for Baking Supplies
-
Celebakes by CK Products Meringue Powder, 16 oz.
-
Valentine's Day Cupcake Liners (3 Designs, 450 Pack)
-
Warm party Baking Cups Cupcake Liners, Standard Sized, 300 Count (Rainbow),
-
Wilton 2105-6789 Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup, STANDARD, Silver
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 390Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 242mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 0gSugar: 38gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate
Easy Cake Recipes
Here's a selection of our Easy Cake recipes, made from scratch and simple to make.
Walnut Cake is a deliciously easy recipe. the cake is so soft and fluffy! The recipe also for a lovely vanilla frosting.
You can make this as a round cake or a loaf, instructions for both.
Freezer-friendly too!
Easy Homemade Pineapple Cake.
Soft and fluffy cake loaded with juicy sweet pineapple gives a flavourful dessert. Easy simple recipe for a delicious homemade pineapple cake, made from scratch.
Coffee Walnut Sandwich Cake.
The best coffee and walnut cake, a classic British afternoon tea cake, layers of soft and fluffy coffee cake with chopped walnuts throughout, adds a great flavor and texture, frosted with coffee cream cheese frosting. A pure delight to eat!
Peach Pound Cake with Raspberry Swirl. A delicious recipe bursting with sweet peaches and a tangy raspberry swirl running through. Soft, moist and perfect with a morning coffee or to take to friends! If you are a fan of pound cakes and peaches, then this one is for you.
Salted Caramel Celebration Cake is perfect for a party. Homemade layers of soft caramel cake and layers of salted caramel frosting then topped with chocolate covered pretzels and salted caramel popcorn.
Deliciously refreshing lemon upside down cake recipe, fluffy lemon sponge with a layer of sharp lemon curd to give a great combination. A great family sized cake recipe, perfect for afternoon tea or a party.
Easy Apple Angel Dump Cake, so delicious with a blob or two of ice cream! Easy recipe and quick to make. Oven or slow cooker, you choose!
Authentic German Black Forest Swiss Roll, a light sponge cake famous in Germany. Layers of chocolate cake,cherries,kirsch & fresh whipped cream in a cake roll.
Mandarin or Pineapple Cream Cake, a delicious homemade cake, using mandarins or pineapples and a fresh whipped cream filling. Perfect for afternoon tea! A made from scratch version of the famous Orange Pig Lickin cake!
Raspberry and Vanilla Marble Cake. A soft and moist marble cake bursting with delicious raspberry and vanilla flavors and a whipped cream vanilla frosting.
Honey Bun Cake! This is a delicious, moist cinnamon and brown sugar cake, and always popular with the family!
Lemon Spoon Cake. A wonderfully soft and moist lemon cake made in the slow cooker. It's a very easy recipe and great tasting!
Toasted Coconut Cupcakes. Deliciously light and fluffy coconut cupcakes, with a coconut cream cheese frosting. Simple easy recipe for how to make perfect, moist cupcakes, ideal for parties and celebrations
Easy Marble Cake, made of vanilla and chocolate cake batter, swirled together for a marbled effect and baked to give you a lovely soft texture, rich in flavor. Plus a recipe for chocolate mousse frosting. Delicious!
Easy Breezy Pumpkin Dump Cake, an easy soft, moist cake recipe, regular and lite versions available. Simply mix, dump and bake to get a delicious Fall cake!
Dutch Buttercake (Boterkoek) . This is a moist, soft butter cake, famous in the Netherlands. Often served with a cup of coffee. Easy to make and very popular!
Coffee Mocha Cake. This is a wicked cake!!! Easy to follow recipe and here's a slice for you all to try!
Mini Caramel Cinnamon Spiced Cakes. Soft, fluffy cakes with a hint of holiday spice and drizzled with caramel! Make in a mini loaf pan or cupcake pan
Hawaiian Poke Cake, a delicious soft sheet pan style cake loaded with pineapples, coconut and vanilla with a topping of cherries and walnuts on a cream frosting.
Cherry Almond Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a lovely soft cake and great tasting. Perfect for parties too!
Mandarin Cake. This is a delicious soft and moist cake with juicy mandarins running throughout .