Introduction

These homemade honey buns are soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon sugar. Whether baked or fried, they make a delightful treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

The image shows five freshly baked cinnamon rolls arranged closely together on parchment paper. Each roll has a golden-brown base layer with a soft, fluffy texture, topped with a tight spiral of dark brown cinnamon sugar filling. A thick, glossy layer of white icing is spread over the top, melting slightly and dripping down the sides, adding a shiny and sweet finish. The rolls sit on a wire rack, placed on a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water (105°F-115°F)
1/3 cup honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup shortening (melted)
Cinnamon sugar mixture: 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze: 4 2/3 cups powdered sugar + 2 1/2 tablespoons honey + melted butter + vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add melted shortening and stir well.
Step 3: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the wet and dry ingredients. Knead for about 8 minutes until the dough is sticky but workable.
Step 4: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, until nearly doubled in size.
Step 5: While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon sugar mixture by combining the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Step 6: Roll the risen dough into an 8-inch by 12-inch rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the dough tightly from one edge to form a log. Seal the ends with a little water, then cut into pieces.
Step 7: Arrange the cut pieces on a baking sheet, cover, and let them rise for another 45 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven or fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, brush the buns with melted butter before applying the glaze once cooled.
Substitute shortening with butter for a richer taste.
If you prefer a softer texture, bake instead of frying, and cover the buns with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
Add chopped nuts or raisins into the cinnamon sugar spread for added texture.

Storage

Store leftover honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped well for up to 1 month. Reheat gently in a microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.

How to Serve

The image shows four cinnamon rolls on a white oval plate, each with a shiny, brown spiral base layer covered by a smooth, creamy white icing layer that drips slightly down the sides. The rolls are sprinkled with fine yellow powder. Nearby, there are two white plates with brown rims, each holding a single cinnamon roll with the same glossy icing and yellow sprinkle; one of these rolls is partially eaten, showing its soft, fluffy interior. Two light gray mugs filled with dark tea sit beside the plates, all set on a white marbled surface. A dark blue cloth is folded to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, but you will need to proof active dry yeast in warm water with a little sugar for about 5–10 minutes before adding it to the dry ingredients.

How do I make the glaze?

Mix powdered sugar with honey, a small amount of melted butter, and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar or a little milk if needed.

Homemade Honey Buns Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 109 reviews

Homemade Honey Buns are soft, sweet, and fragrant pastries featuring a cinnamon sugar swirl and a honey glaze. This recipe combines a tender yeast dough with a rich cinnamon filling, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious honey glaze, perfect for breakfast or a delightful snack.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 12 honey buns 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm water (105°F-115°F)
1/3 cup honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup shortening (melted)

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Glaze

4 2/3 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons honey
melted butter (approximately 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt until evenly combined to prepare your dry mixture.
Prepare wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the warm water (105°F-115°F), honey, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth, then stir in the melted shortening to incorporate.
Knead the dough: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead the dough for approximately 8 minutes until it becomes sticky but still workable. This develops the gluten for a soft texture.
First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area for 1 to 2 hours, or until it nearly doubles in size.
Prepare cinnamon sugar filling: While the dough is rising, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Shape the dough: Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface into an 8 by 12-inch rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the rolled dough. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape, then seal the ends with a bit of water to prevent unraveling.
Cut and second rise: Slice the log into individual pieces of desired size (typically 1 to 1.5 inches thick). Arrange the pieces on a greased baking pan, cover, and allow them to rise again for about 45 minutes until puffy.
Bake the buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the risen buns for about 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
Make the glaze: While the buns bake, combine powdered sugar, honey, melted butter (about 2 tablespoons), and vanilla extract in a bowl. Stir until a smooth glaze forms.
Glaze and serve: Once the honey buns are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over the top to add sweetness and shine. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

The dough temperature should be kept warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
If you prefer, honey buns can be fried until golden for a different texture, but baking is recommended for a lighter version.
Ensure the buns have a good second rise to achieve a tender and fluffy interior.
The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more powdered sugar or liquid butter/honey as needed.
Store leftover honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: honey buns, sweet rolls, cinnamon sugar buns, homemade pastries, breakfast buns, yeast rolls