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Homemade Honey Buns

Featured in Start Your Day with Grace.

Indulge in these homemade honey buns with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Easy to make and perfect for breakfast or dessert!
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Recipes Fives Halima
Updated on Tue, 20 May 2025 10:05:24 GMT
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Deliciously soft and pillowy, these homemade honey buns bring together the best elements of cinnamon rolls and donuts. The perfect balance of sweetness comes from a cinnamon sugar swirl inside and a generous honey glaze coating that transforms them into an irresistible treat. Creating these sweet delights might take some kitchen time, but each bite of these golden beauties rewards your patience with pure comfort.

Reasons To Fall In Love

I tried these honey buns last weekend when my grandchildren visited, and watching their faces light up as they bit into these warm, freshly glazed treats was absolutely priceless. The kitchen filled with cinnamon aromas that brought back memories of my mother's baking on Sunday mornings.

Perfect Ingredients Collection

  • Water: Needs to be between 105°F-115°F to properly activate the yeast and ensure your dough rises beautifully
  • Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and provides the foundation of sweetness that balances the warm cinnamon notes
  • All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect structure; remember to fluff before measuring to ensure light, fluffy results
  • Honey: Provides that distinctive flavor that makes these truly honey buns; never substitute this golden nectar
  • Shortening: Delivers that authentic bakery-style texture that sets these apart from ordinary cinnamon rolls
  • Vegetable oil: Perfect for frying with its neutral flavor that won't compete with the delicate honey notes
  • Instant yeast: Creates reliable rise without the blooming step, making the process more foolproof

My mother always kept local honey in our pantry, and I continue this tradition. The subtle floral notes from wildflower honey add complexity that store-bought treats simply cannot match.

Creating Your Honey Buns

Mix and Knead:
Combine your warm water, sugar, and instant yeast in a large bowl, then stir in the melted shortening. Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should feel tacky but not stick heavily to your fingers.
First Rise:
Place your dough in a lightly greased glass bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes. Look for the dough to double in size and appear puffy. If your kitchen runs cool, create a warm environment by placing the bowl near a preheating oven.
Shape and Fill:
Gently punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick on a generously floured surface. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon-sugar mixture, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal.
Slice and Second Rise:
Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log into 1-inch oblong pieces. Arrange these pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sufficient space between them. Cover loosely and allow to rise until puffy but not fully doubled, approximately 30-45 minutes.
Flatten and Cook:
Once risen, gently press each bun with your fingertips to slightly flatten before cooking. If frying, heat oil to exactly 350°F-365°F and fry each bun for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. If baking, place in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden.
Glaze Finish:
While still warm, dip each honey bun into the prepared honey glaze, ensuring complete coverage. Place on a wire rack to let excess glaze drip off and set slightly before serving or storing.
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Homemade Honey Buns Recipe | recipesfives.com

Growing up in Tennessee, honey buns were my father's favorite weekend treat. He'd enjoy them with strong black coffee early in the morning before everyone else woke up. When I make these now, that memory comes flooding back with each sticky-sweet bite. The local sourwood honey from our farmers market adds a dimension that makes these even more special than I remember from childhood.

Serving Wonders

These honey buns shine brightest when served slightly warm alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea. For a truly indulgent breakfast experience, pair them with fresh seasonal berries to balance their sweetness. They also make wonderful additions to brunch spreads, especially when complemented by savory dishes like egg casseroles or breakfast meats that contrast with their sweetness.

Delicious Variations

Consider adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar filling for delightful texture contrast. For those avoiding dairy, coconut oil works beautifully in place of shortening. Spice lovers might enjoy adding a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon mixture for more complex flavor notes. You could also incorporate orange or lemon zest into the dough for a bright citrus twist that pairs wonderfully with the honey.

Freshness Tips

Store completely cooled honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The glaze actually helps preserve moisture, making them remain tender longer than unglazed pastries. To reheat, warm them gently in a 300°F oven for about five minutes—microwaving tends to make them tough. For longer storage, freeze unglazed buns for up to one month, then thaw, warm, and glaze before serving.

I've found that the difference between good honey buns and great ones lies in patience—allowing proper rise time and not rushing the process pays dividends in texture and flavor. My personal secret involves adding a tiny splash of vanilla to the honey glaze, which brings out the floral notes in the honey while complementing the warm cinnamon swirl inside. These honey buns might require some effort, but creating this treasured family favorite from scratch connects me to generations of baking tradition in a way that simply can't be replicated with store-bought versions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast. Make sure to activate it in warm water before using.
→ Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them at 350°F for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.
→ How should I store these honey buns?
Store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to three months.
→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.
→ What can I serve with these honey buns?
They are great on their own or with a cup of coffee or tea.

Soft Homemade Honey Buns

Soft and sweet honey buns with cinnamon sugar and creamy glaze. A delightful treat for any time of day!

Prep Time
60 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Halima

Category: Morning Favorites

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10 Honey Buns)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Dough

01 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
02 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 1 tablespoon instant yeast
04 ½ teaspoon salt
05 ½ cup warm water, between 105°F-115°F
06 ⅓ cup honey
07 1 large egg
08 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 ¼ cup shortening, melted
10 Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying

→ For the Cinnamon Sugar

11 ¼ cup granulated sugar
12 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

→ For the Glaze

13 4 ⅔ cup powdered sugar
14 2 ½ tablespoons honey
15 1 tablespoon melted butter
16 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
17 ¼ teaspoon salt
18 Warm water, as needed

Instructions

Step 01

Whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk to combine the warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla extract. Melt the shortening and add it to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined. With a dough hook on your stand mixer, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix the dough on low until the wet and dry ingredients are well combined. Once combined, knead the dough on medium speed for 8 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly oiled glass bowl, flipping the dough to coat the top with oil as well. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in a draft-free, slightly warm spot. Let rise for 1 to 2 hours, until it has almost doubled in size.

Step 02

While the dough is rising, whisk to combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 03

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured, clean surface. Roll the dough out to a 12” long and 8” wide rectangle. Dust with the cinnamon sugar mixture, leaving a clean edge, and gently press into the dough. Roll the dough up from the long side toward the clean edge. Brush the clean edge with a little water, then push the clean edge into the roll and smooth with your finger to adhere the dough together. Cut off the pinched ends from the roll, about 1 1⁄2 inches per end. Then cut it equally into 1-inch pieces and place each piece onto a parchment-lined baking sheet with at least 2” space between them. Press down lightly on each slice and lightly shape each one with your fingers, then let rise for about 45 minutes - until puffy, but not doubled in size.

Step 04

Part of the way through the rise time, pour oil into a large pan or stockpot until the oil is about 3-inches deep. Heat over medium heat, until the oil reaches 365°F. Right before frying the buns, whisk together the glaze. Once the rolls have risen, gently press them down again with your fingers, then place a few honey buns into the hot oil, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry for 90 seconds on one side, then flip and fry for an additional 90 seconds on the other side, until golden brown on both sides. Once honey buns are golden brown, remove them from the oil and place them onto a wire cooling rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Immediately dip each bun into the glaze and return to the cooling rack. Repeat the frying and glazing process with any remaining honey buns.

Step 05

Preheat your oven to 350°F with the rack placed in the lower third of the oven. Once the rolls have risen, bake for 18 minutes or until the honey buns are lightly golden brown. Let them rest for 5 minutes after baking and then dip each bun into the glaze (or brush the glaze on) and place on a wire cooling rack.

Notes

  1. Storage: Honey buns may be stored in an airtight container or baggie for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to three months.
  2. Best The Next Day: These honey buns are delicious warm, but they are the best after they have sat in an airtight container on the counter for a day or two.
  3. Yeast Tips: When working with yeast-based recipes, it is important to have the water at the correct temperature. The ideal temperature is between 105°F-115°F.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer with dough hook
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Pastry brush
  • Sharp serrated knife
  • Large pan or stockpot for frying
  • Clip-on pot thermometer
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs
  • Gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 504
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 107 g
  • Protein: 5 g