Description
Indulge in this Carrot Cake Honey Bun, a delicious dessert featuring moist carrot cake, a cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a luscious cream cheese glaze. The perfect combination of spiced cake and sweet, sticky goodness, making it an ideal treat for brunch, gatherings, or satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) carrot cake mix
- 1 cup grated carrots
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the carrot cake mix, grated carrots, vegetable oil, milk, eggs, and ground cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
2. Create the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
3. Assemble the Cake:
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
- Pour the remaining batter on top, spreading gently to cover the cinnamon-sugar layer.
4. Bake:
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.
6. Glaze the Cake:
- While the cake is still warm, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top, allowing it to seep into the cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Nut-Free – Omit the nuts if you have allergies or prefer a nut-free version.
- Raisin Addition – Add ½ cup of raisins to the batter for extra sweetness and texture.
- Vegan Option – Use flax eggs, plant-based milk, and oil to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
