Honey buns are a sweet bakery treat that have been delighting people’s taste buds for decades. Their soft, pillowy texture and sticky sweet glaze make them an irresistible guilty pleasure. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about buying, storing, serving, and even baking homemade honey buns.
We’ll cover where to find fresh honey buns, how to identify real honey buns versus imitations, proper storage methods to keep them soft and moist, heating instructions, creative recipe ideas, nutrition facts, and tips for baking picture-perfect honey buns from scratch. Whether you’re a lifelong honey bun fanatic or looking to try them for the first time, this guide will equip you with expert tips for enjoying honey buns at their finest.
- A Little Debbie favorite, Honey Buns are sweet with notes of cinnamon, honey, and coated in a light glaze.
- A soft pastry that is great as a snack with coffee or afternoon tea.
- Each carton contains six (6) individually-wrapped products of Little Debbie Honey Buns.
- Visit the Little Debbie website to try our Honey Bun French Toast or Honey Bun Monkey Bread recipes.
- OMG, these are the huge versions, 50% larger than the regular honey buns! Individually wrapped Iced Honey buns, 6 ounces each!
- Sold in cases of 6, Each order will have 2 cases of 6 for a total of 12 Iced Honeybuns
- Buy them in bulk, and freeze or refrigerate to prolong life
- 6 Individually wrapped Jumbo Honey Buns featuring Glazed, Iced, and Devils Food flavors
- Heat ‘em up or eat ‘em straight from the pack. HOSTESS Jumbo Honey Buns are deliciously glazed and ready to make your morning (or whenever!) a treat. Warm them up in the microwave, and LIVE YOUR MOSTESS as they melt in your mouth. Pair them with a cup of coffee for the ultimate snacktime. Individually wrapped, so you can have a care-free, indulgent moment of HOSTESS deliciousness anywhere.
- Includes 1 box of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes, 1 box of Little Debbie Honey Buns, 1 box of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, 1 box of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies, and 1 box of Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies
- 10 twin wrapped Zebra Cakes, 6 individually wrapped Honey Buns, 12 twin wrapped Swiss Rolls, 12 individually wrapped oatmeal creme pies, and 6 individually wrapped Cosmic Brownies
- Packed with Little Debbie fan favorites, this variety pack is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face
- For over 50 years, Little Debbie has been bringing smiles to the faces of snack lovers and dessert lovers with each and every bite
- Great for some on-the-go energy, as an afternoon snack, for dessert after a meal or simply as comfort food, treats from Little Debbie come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and tastes
- 3 boxes 6 buns in each box total 18 honeybuns
- Sweet, lower in calories than most their competitors
- Delicious taste
- Little Debbie Honey buns you never have to worry about quality
- 16 boxes of Little Debbie Honey Buns
- 96 individually wrapped soft pastries with a touch of honey and cinnamon topped with a light glaze
- Soft, golden and tasty, Little Debbie Honey Buns are the sweet and flavorful snack that satisfies all day.
- Prepared with hints of cinnamon, a touch of honey, and dripping with a light glaze, it’s easy to understand why this delicious pastry swirl is a Little Debbie favorite.
- Whether you grab a Honey Bun on the go with a cup of joe, enjoy your bun as a sweet side at lunch, or pop a Honey Bun in the microwave for a late night ooey gooey treat, there’s no wrong way to relish this morsel!
What are Honey Buns?
Honey buns are a type of sweet pastry made with a soft, slightly yeasty dough that is rolled into a spiral shape. The dough is topped with a sugary glaze or icing that drips down the sides as it bakes, giving it a sticky, sweet exterior.
The main ingredients in classic honey buns are enriched flour, sugar, water, yeast, eggs, and butter or vegetable shortening. Some recipes also include small amounts of salt, milk, and lemon juice or vinegar. The sweet glaze topping is typically made from honey, brown sugar, butter, and milk or cream.
In terms of nutrition, a standard 2-ounce honey bun contains around 220 calories, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, and 3 grams of protein. Given their high sugar content, honey buns are considered more of an occasional treat than a daily dietary staple.
There are a few common varieties and flavors of honey buns:
- Original – The classic soft, sweet yeast dough topped with a sticky honey glaze.
- Iced – Honey buns with a thicker glaze icing drizzled over the top.
- Frosted – Honey buns topped with a sweet vanilla or cream cheese frosting.
- Fruit-filled – Honey buns with fruity jam or apple pie-style fillings inside the dough.
- Cinnamon – Honey buns swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar for extra flavor.
- Pecan – Honey buns with chopped pecan pieces baked into the dough and topping.
No matter what the variety, a quality honey bun should have a soft, moist interior with a sweet topping that provides plenty of sticky, sweet indulgence in every bite.
History and Origins
The earliest origins of the honey bun can be traced back to the mid-1950s in various bakeries across the United States. The concept of a sweet dough rolled into a spiral, or coiled shape, existed long before the official “honey bun” moniker came about.
Many credit Pennsylvania-based Papa Puffs bakery for first using the name honey bun and popularizing the treat in the 1950s. The pillowy, spiral-shaped pastries coated with a sticky glaze quickly became a hit.
Over the decades, honey buns grew from a small bakery phenomenon into a convenience store and supermarket staple across America. Major brands like Hostess, Bimbo Bakeries, and Sara Lee began mass producing the snack cakes to meet growing demand.
By the 1970s and 1980s, pre-packaged honey buns could be found in grocery stores, gas stations, and snack shops everywhere. Even today, pre-wrapped honey buns remain a top-selling impulse buy item near checkout counters.
Though a variety of companies produce packaged honey buns, Pennsylvania bakery Schmidt’s is still considered the original creator of old-fashioned, handmade honey buns. The company supplies many restaurants and eateries with fresh honey buns baked using original 1950s recipes.
The sweet treat maintains its nostalgic popularity today, appealing to longtime fans and new generations alike thanks to its comforting flavor and texture.
Where to Buy Honey Buns
Fortunately for honey bun lovers, the classic pastries can be found at a wide variety of retailers and food outlets:
- Grocery stores – Honey buns, both fresh-baked and packaged, are commonly stocked in the bakery section of most major supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and more.
- Convenience/Gas stores – Branded packaged honey buns from Hostess, Bimbo, Sara Lee, and Mrs. Freshley’s are staples at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, and truck stops.
- Wholesale clubs – Warehouse retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often sell multi-packs of honey buns alongside other baked goods.
- Online – Various online snack retailers like Snack Crate or Baked By Melissa allow ordering packaged honey buns for home delivery.
- Specialty bakeries – Local donut shops and bakeries, especially in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, offer fresh-made, hand-rolled honey buns.
- Fundraisers – Many schools, churches, and community groups sell honey buns for fundraisers through partnerships with bakeries.
When selecting a source, check labels and packaging dates for freshness. Opt for bakery-fresh honey buns from grocery in-store bakeries or local shops when possible over pre-packaged varieties.
Choosing Fresh Honey Buns
When picking out fresh honey buns, either pre-packaged or from a bakery display case, be on the lookout for these signs of optimal freshness and quality:
- Soft, puffy texture – The dough should feel pillowy and tender, not dense or stiff. Fresh honey buns easily indent when lightly squeezed.
- Sweet aroma – A just-baked honey bun will smell strongly of sweet honey and yeast. A lack of aroma indicates staleness.
- Moist appearance – The dough should look moist with some visible sheen, not dry or cracked. The glaze should be shiny and sticky.
- Proper shape – Quality honey buns retain their spiraled, coiled shape without appearing smashed or misshapen.
- Recent packaging date – For pre-wrapped honey buns, check for a freshness code or “baked on” date within the last few days.
- Few crumbs in packaging – Loose crumbs signal that the honey buns are drying out. Intact, clean honey buns are freshest.
- No mold growth – Check that no fuzzy mold is growing inside the packaging or on the honey buns themselves.
Opting for freshly baked rather than pre-packaged honey buns provides the best taste and texture. But if choosing packaged, inspect carefully and avoid any honey buns that are hard, dry, stale, or moldy.
Storing and Preserving Honey Buns
To keep honey buns fresh and tasty for as long as possible, follow these proper storage methods:
- Room temperature – Freshly baked honey buns can be kept at room temp in a sealed bag or container for 2-3 days. The glaze will remain soft and sticky.
- Refrigeration – For longer shelf life up to 5-7 days, store honey buns in the fridge. The chilly temperature will firm up the glaze.
- Freezing – Fully baked honey buns freeze exceptionally well for 3-6 months. Thaw frozen buns at room temp or reheat briefly before serving.
- Airtight packaging – Whether room temp or freezing, seal honey buns in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent staling.
- Avoid humidity – Don’t store honey buns in an area with excess moisture, or the dough will become soggy.
With proper storage and handling, packaged honey buns can last 1-2 weeks beyond the printed sell-by date while retaining their signature soft, sweet taste and texture.
Heating and Serving Honey Buns
One of the joys of a fresh honey bun is the sweet aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture when served warm. Here are some heating options:
- Microwaving – Individual honey buns can be warmed by microwaving on HIGH for 10-15 seconds. Check and rotate frequently to avoid hot spots.
- Oven warming – Arrange honey buns in a single layer on a baking sheet at 300°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
- Toaster oven – For 1-2 honey buns, use a toaster oven preheated to 300°F for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Stovetop – Place a nonstick skillet over low heat. Add honey buns cut-side down for 1-2 minutes to gently warm and toast the edges.
Beyond eating honey buns straight from the package, here are some tasty serving suggestions:
- Top with whipped cream or ice cream for an decadent dessert
- Serve warm with coffee or hot chocolate
- Make bread pudding by cubing leftover honey buns and baking with custard
- Craft honey bun sundaes with fruit, nuts, caramel or chocolate sauce
- Layer sliced honey buns with banana pudding or trifle ingredients
Any way you slice it, honey buns taste their sweetest when served fresh and warm!
Variations and Creative Uses for Honey Buns
While classic honey buns need no improvement, creative bakers have come up with fun flavor twists and ingenious uses for the iconic pastries:
- Fruit fillings – Honey buns can be stuffed with apple pie filling, strawberry jam, lemon curd, or other fruity spreads for a delicious surprise inside.
- Flavor add-ins – Mix-ins like cinnamon chips, toasted nuts, coconut flakes, or dried fruits bake into the dough for tasty texture and flavor.
- Frosting swaps – In place of the usual glaze, honey buns can get topped with peanut butter or Nutella spread, cream cheese icing, salted caramel, and more.
- Breakfast honey buns – Split a honey bun in half and fill it with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese for a sweet and savory morning meal.
- Bread pudding – Stale honey buns find new life cubed and baked into a rich bread pudding dotted with raisins or chocolate chips.
- Honey bun croutons – Drizzle baked honey buns with olive oil, garlic salt, and parmesan, then cube and bake again into crispy, sweet croutons.
- Honey bun trifle – Layer crumbled honey buns with pudding, whipped cream, fresh berries, and other trifle ingredients for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Let your imagination run wild playing with fun new ways to fill, top, and repurpose honey buns into amazing treats.
Honey Bun Nutrition Facts
While honey buns rank high on the taste scale, their nutrition profile skews more toward the indulgent side:
- Calories – A 2-ounce honey bun contains around 220 calories. The high carb and fat content contributes substantial calories per serving.
- Carbohydrates – Honey buns get about 36 grams of carbs from enriched flour and sugar. Their carb level classifies them as a high glycemic index food.
- Sugar – With their sweet glaze and dough, honey buns have around 14 grams of sugar per serving, mostly from added sugars rather than natural ones.
- Fat – Depending on the recipe, honey buns contain between 5-9 grams of fat, from sources like butter, shortening, and oil.
- Preservatives – Packaged honey buns tend to be made with artificial preservatives like potassium sorbate and calcium propionate to extend shelf life.
- Low fiber, protein – A typical honey bun has only 1-3 grams each of fiber and protein, making their nutritional value mostly from sugars and carbs.
For a somewhat “healthier” honey bun, look for versions with whole grain flour, minimal added sugars, and no artificial preservatives. But overall, it’s best to enjoy honey buns in moderation as an occasional treat.
Baking Homemade Honey Buns
For the ultimate freshly baked honey bun experience, consider crafting a batch of homemade honey buns. Here’s an overview of what’s involved:
- Essential ingredients – Homemade honey bun recipes call for basic ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, sugar, eggs, butter, and honey for glaze.
- Kneading required – The dough must be thoroughly kneaded, typically for 10 or more minutes by hand or mixer, in order to develop the gluten and achieve a soft, stretchy texture.
- Rising time – The yeast dough requires an initial rise of 1-2 hours, shaping into coils, then another rise of 30+ minutes to properly proof before baking.
- Rolling technique – For the signature shape, the dough is stretched into ropes and coiled tightly into flat spirals before topping with glaze.
- Freshness window – DIY honey buns taste best within 12-24 hours of baking. The homemade dough stales faster than commercial versions with preservatives added.
With practice, homemade honey buns can rival your favorite bakery’s offerings. Be prepared for a lengthy but rewarding process from kneading to rising when baking them from scratch.
Conclusion
With their temptingly soft, sweet interior and sticky glazed exterior, honey buns satisfy almost any comfort food craving. This guide covered all the key tips for selecting the freshest buns, proper storage methods, creative serving ideas, nutrition facts, and even rolling up your sleeves to make homemade honey buns.
Honey buns have come a long way from their early bakery origins but remain a cherished indulgent treat for kids and adults alike. Keep these tips in mind for buying, storing, and serving up the perfect honey buns every time. Just be careful not to eat the whole pan in one sitting!
FAQ
What’s the best way to reheat a honey bun?
The best way to warm a refrigerated honey bun is in the microwave on HIGH for 10-15 seconds, checking frequently, or in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes. Stovetop heating or toaster ovens also work well. Heat just until warm, not hot.
How long do packaged honey buns last past the expiration date?
Most packaged honey buns remain fresh for 7-10 days past a printed sell-by or best-by date if stored properly at room temp or in the fridge. Discard honey buns if mold develops or they smell or taste stale.
Should you keep honey buns refrigerated or at room temp?
For short term storage up to 3 days, honey buns can be kept at cool room temp in a sealed container. For storage beyond 3-5 days, refrigeration is best to maximize freshness. Let refrigerated buns stand 30 minutes before eating.
What are good fillings for stuffed honey buns?
Popular filling mix-ins for stuffed honey buns include fruit preserves like strawberry or apricot jam, pie fillings such as apple, lemon, or cherry, pastry creams, Nutella, peanut butter, or sweetened cream cheese.
How do you make DIY honey buns at home?
Homemade honey buns start with a basic yeast dough of flour, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, etc. After kneading, proofing, and rising, the dough is stretched into ropes then coiled tightly into spirals before topping with a glaze of honey, brown sugar, and milk.