🍯 Honey Bun Brownies (Gooey Cinnamon Swirl Bars)

There are some desserts that stop you in your tracks the moment you slice into them — and these Honey Bun Brownies are one of those recipes. Gooey, warm, sticky, sweet, and full of cinnamon-sugar goodness, they taste just like the classic honey buns we all grew up eating… only better.

They’re soft in the center, lightly crisp at the edges, and drenched in the kind of vanilla glaze that soaks into the top and makes everything extra dreamy. And the best part? They’re made with a simple yellow cake mix, but they come out tasting like you baked them from scratch.

This is the kind of dessert you bring to a potluck knowing people will ask for the recipe before they ask for your name. And honestly? I take that as a compliment.

If you love gooey desserts like this, you might also enjoy my Hot Cocoa Cups, another fun, cozy treat you can whip up anytime:
👉 https://fobdel.com/2024/11/27/hot-cocoa-cups-recipe-festive-and-easy-holiday-treat/

🧡 Why You’ll Love This Honey Bun Brownies Recipe

Ooey, gooey, sticky texture just like a warm honey bun
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Uses a boxed yellow cake mix as a shortcut
Swirled cinnamon filling that melts into the batter
A silky-sweet glaze that seals everything together
Perfect for potlucks, church gatherings, holidays, and Sunday dessert
Smells incredible while baking — your whole house will thank you

These bars are dangerously irresistible. The brown sugar filling melts into the cake mix layer and creates that classic honey bun flavor with very little effort.

🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses easy, everyday ingredients — nothing fancy, just simple baking staples that turn into magic.

For the Brownies

1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
½ cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup sour cream
3 eggs

For the Cinnamon Filling

1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ cup melted butter

For the Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ingredient Tips

Cake Mix: Any yellow or butter-golden cake mix works beautifully.
Sour Cream: Adds richness and moisture — don’t skip it!
Brown Sugar: Light or dark both work; dark adds deeper flavor.
Cinnamon: If you love strong cinnamon flavor, add an extra teaspoon.

🍰 Step-by-Step Instructions

These bars come together in layers — batter, cinnamon filling, more batter — then baked until soft, gooey perfection.

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat to 325°F (165°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

2. Mix the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, combine:

cake mix
melted butter
sour cream
eggs
brown sugar
cinnamon

Mix for 2–3 minutes, until the batter is smooth and thick.

3. Add Batter to the Pan

Pour half of the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.

4. Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a bowl, stir together:

brown sugar
cinnamon
melted butter

This will be gooey, thick, and fragrant.

5. Layer the Filling

Spoon the filling evenly over the batter.

6. Add Remaining Batter

Spoon the rest of the cake batter on top and spread gently.
If you want a marbled look, lightly swirl a knife through the layers.

7. Bake

Bake for 30–40 minutes, depending on your oven.

You’re looking for:

center just set
edges lightly golden
slightly gooey interior

If your toothpick comes out with moist crumbs — perfect.

8. Add the Vanilla Glaze

While the brownies cool slightly, whisk together:

powdered sugar
milk
vanilla extract

Pour over the warm bars so it melts right in.

🧁 Expert Tips for Perfect Honey Bun Brownies

⭐ Don’t overbake

These bars should stay soft and gooey.
Check at 30 minutes and continue baking only as needed.

⭐ Pour glaze while warm

It melts into the top, creating that iconic honey bun finish.

⭐ Use real melted butter

It enhances the honey bun flavor and helps the filling caramelize.

⭐ Swirl gently

Overmixing the layers will muddy the swirl effect.

⭐ Want extra gooey bars?

Add 2 tablespoons extra sour cream to the batter.

🌀 Variations & Add-Ins

Try one of these fun twists:

Cream Cheese Swirl
Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese between layers.
Pecan Honey Bun Bars
Add chopped pecans to the cinnamon filling.
Maple Glaze
Replace milk with maple syrup.
Apple Cinnamon Honey Bun Bars
Add ½ cup finely diced apples to the filling layer.
Pumpkin Spice Version
Add ½ teaspoon nutmeg + ½ teaspoon ginger to the batter.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
Bring to brunch or a breakfast-for-dinner night
Cut into tiny squares for a dessert buffet
Serve with hot coffee for a cozy afternoon treat

If you love cozy treats like this, you’ll also want to try my Cast Iron Comfort Biscuits & Gravy recipe:
👉 https://fobdel.com/2023/05/11/cast-iron-comfort-sausage-gravy-fluffy-biscuits-and-dippy-eggs/

❄️ Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips

Room Temperature

Store covered for 3–4 days.

Refrigerator

Keeps well for 5–6 days.

Freezer

Freeze fully cooled bars (without glaze) for up to 2 months.
Thaw, then add fresh glaze.

Make Ahead

Bake a day ahead — they get even gooier overnight.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use white cake mix instead?
Yes — the flavor will be lighter, but still delicious.

Q: Can I double the glaze?
Absolutely! These bars can handle extra glaze without becoming soggy.

Q: Why is my topping grainy?
Add a splash more milk or warm the glaze slightly to dissolve sugar.

Q: Can I add honey to the recipe?
Yes — add 1–2 tablespoons to the batter for a stronger honey bun flavor.

Q: Can I use oil instead of butter?
Butter is best — it gives richer flavor and a better swirl.

🏁 Conclusion + Call to Action

These Honey Bun Brownies are one of those desserts you’ll want to make again and again. Soft, warm, gooey, and packed with cinnamon-sugar goodness, they taste like a childhood favorite — reinvented as the ultimate dessert bar.

If you make them, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment, give the recipe a star rating, and don’t forget to pin this recipe to save it for later.