Classic Honey Bun Cake Recipe: Your Guide to a Moist & Irresistible Treat
Step into a world of sweet nostalgia with our incredible Honey Bun Cake recipe. This delightful dessert perfectly captures the essence of a classic honey bun, transforming it into a moist, tender, and utterly irresistible cake that’s surprisingly easy to make. Imagine the comforting aroma of warm cinnamon and brown sugar filling your kitchen as this golden-hued cake bakes to perfection. Each slice promises a harmonious blend of a light, fluffy yellow cake base, beautifully swirled with a rich, caramelized cinnamon filling, and generously crowned with a sweet, delicate glaze that melts in your mouth.
Whether you’re hosting a joyous family gathering, preparing a special treat for a potluck, or simply craving a comforting dessert to brighten a quiet evening, this Honey Bun Cake is your perfect companion. It brings together familiar flavors in an exciting new format, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Forget the store-bought versions; our homemade recipe guarantees unparalleled freshness, exquisite texture, and a depth of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to create a memorable dessert that’s both elegant in its simplicity and profoundly satisfying.
Creating this magnificent Honey Bun Cake doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store, as many of the essential components are likely already nestled in your pantry. However, a quick check of your ingredient list can save you a last-minute dash to the grocery store. For instance, the star ingredient responsible for the cake’s exceptional richness and unbelievably moist crumb is fresh sour cream. Don’t skip this! It reacts beautifully with the other ingredients, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful. If your container is nearing its expiration date, now’s the time to replace it.
Another crucial item to ensure you have on hand is powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar. This finely milled sugar is indispensable for crafting the cake’s iconic, smooth, and sweet glaze. This glaze is what truly transforms a delicious cinnamon swirl cake into a genuine Honey Bun Cake experience. Beyond these, a good quality yellow cake mix provides a reliable base, while brown sugar and ground cinnamon form the heart of the “honey bun” swirl. A few large eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and a dash of vanilla extract complete the ensemble, each playing a vital role in delivering that perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tender texture.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Honey Bun Cake
Understanding the role each ingredient plays in this Honey Bun Cake recipe will not only help you bake it flawlessly but also empower you to make informed substitutions if needed. Here’s a closer look at what makes this cake so special:
Yellow cake mix: This forms the fundamental structure of our cake. Opting for a high-quality yellow cake mix ensures a consistent, light, and fluffy base, making the baking process incredibly straightforward and accessible for all skill levels. It creates the perfect canvas for our rich cinnamon swirl.
Large Eggs: More than just binders, eggs contribute significantly to the cake’s structure, richness, and moisture. They help emulsify the batter, creating a smoother texture and a beautiful golden hue. Using large eggs is standard for most baking recipes for consistent results.
Sour cream: This is the secret weapon for an unbelievably moist and tender Honey Bun Cake. The acidity in sour cream reacts with the baking powder in the cake mix, promoting a lighter crumb. Furthermore, its fat content adds richness and keeps the cake from drying out, imparting a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Vegetable oil: Unlike butter, which can sometimes make cakes denser, vegetable oil ensures a consistently moist and tender crumb that stays soft for days. It distributes moisture evenly throughout the batter, contributing to the cake’s delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Brown sugar: This provides the signature deep, caramel-like sweetness and slightly chewy texture to the cinnamon swirl. Its molasses content gives it a distinct flavor profile that white sugar simply can’t replicate, essential for that authentic honey bun taste.
Ground cinnamon: The heart and soul of the “bun” flavor. High-quality ground cinnamon infuses the cake with a warm, aromatic spice that beautifully complements the sweetness of the brown sugar and yellow cake. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the most vibrant flavor.
Powdered sugar (Confectioners’ sugar): Indispensable for creating the smooth, sweet, and dreamy glaze that tops the cake. Its fine texture allows it to dissolve easily, resulting in a perfectly pourable and quick-setting frosting. This gives the Honey Bun Cake its classic shiny finish.
Milk: Used to thin the powdered sugar into a luscious, drizzly glaze. The amount can be adjusted slightly to achieve your desired consistency, from a thin sheen to a thicker, more opaque topping. Whole milk often yields the creamiest glaze.
Vanilla extract: A fundamental flavor enhancer in almost any sweet baked good. A good quality vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile of both the cake and the glaze, adding a layer of sophisticated sweetness and warmth that ties all the other flavors together beautifully.
Pro Baking Techniques for a Flawless Honey Bun Cake
Achieving a truly exceptional Honey Bun Cake isn’t just about the ingredients; it’s also about employing the right techniques. Here are some essential tips to ensure your cake turns out perfectly every time:
Perfecting the Batter Consistency: When combining the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil, the goal is a smooth, homogenous batter. Mix until just combined and free of major lumps. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tougher, less tender cake. A gently blended batter ensures an exquisitely light and even texture throughout your cake.
Creating the Signature Cinnamon Swirl: The distinctive swirl is a hallmark of a great Honey Bun Cake. When sprinkling the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, aim for an even distribution over the first layer of batter. You can gently press it down with the back of a spoon. When you add the second layer of batter, try to spread it as gently as possible to avoid disturbing the cinnamon layer too much. This technique helps achieve that beautiful, consistent swirl pattern in every single slice.
Monitoring Baking Doneness: Ovens can vary, so while 40 minutes is a good guideline, always test for doneness. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, your cake is perfectly baked. An overbaked cake will be dry, while an underbaked one might sink in the middle. Trust the toothpick!
Glazing While Warm, Not Hot: For the best glaze absorption and finish, drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the cake while it is still warm, but not piping hot. If the cake is too hot, the glaze will melt and run off too quickly. If it’s completely cold, the glaze might not absorb as well. A warm cake allows the glaze to slightly melt and seep into the top layer, creating that delightful, sticky, and sweet honey bun texture.
Beyond Dessert: Perfect Pairings for Your Honey Bun Cake
While our Honey Bun Cake is a stellar dessert on its own, sometimes you want to build a complete culinary experience around it. Here are some suggested side dishes that beautifully complement the sweet, comforting flavors of the cake, offering a delightful contrast or a harmonious extension to your meal.
Smart Substitutions: Customizing Your Honey Bun Cake
Sometimes you need to adapt a recipe, whether it’s due to dietary restrictions, ingredient availability, or simply a desire to experiment with different flavors. Here are some reliable substitutions for your Honey Bun Cake ingredients, ensuring you can still enjoy this delicious treat:
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Yellow cake mix – Substitute with homemade yellow cake mix: For those who prefer a from-scratch approach or wish to avoid pre-packaged ingredients, you can easily create your own yellow cake mix. Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup dry milk powder, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. This gives you complete control over the ingredients and allows you to avoid preservatives, resulting in a slightly denser but equally delicious cake base for your Honey Bun Cake.
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Large eggs – Substitute with flax eggs: If you’re catering to vegan guests or have an egg allergy, flax eggs are an excellent plant-based alternative. To make one flax egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens to a gel-like consistency. While the texture might be slightly different, flax eggs will help bind the cake components effectively.
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Sour cream – Substitute with Greek yogurt: For a slightly healthier twist or if you’re out of sour cream, plain Greek yogurt is a fantastic stand-in. It provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture to the cake, contributing to its moisture while often being lower in fat and higher in protein. Ensure you use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for the best results in your Honey Bun Cake.
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Vegetable oil – Substitute with unsweetened applesauce: To reduce the fat content of your cake without sacrificing moisture, unsweetened applesauce works wonderfully. Use an equal amount of applesauce as you would oil. It will keep the cake moist and tender, though it might impart a very subtle apple flavor, which can actually be a lovely addition to the cinnamon notes.
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Brown sugar – Substitute with coconut sugar: For a slightly different flavor profile and a lower glycemic index option, coconut sugar can be used as a 1:1 substitute for brown sugar in the cinnamon swirl. Coconut sugar boasts a similar caramel-like flavor, making it an excellent choice for maintaining the desired sweetness and depth in your Honey Bun Cake swirl.
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Ground cinnamon – Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: If you want to add a more complex, autumnal flavor to your cake, swap ground cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. This blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, which will introduce a warmer, more intricate spice profile that is particularly delightful during cooler months.
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Powdered sugar – Substitute with homemade powdered sugar: Out of powdered sugar? You can make your own! Simply blend granulated sugar with a small amount of cornstarch (about 1 tablespoon per cup of granulated sugar) in a high-speed blender or food processor until it reaches a fine, powdery consistency. This allows for control over the fineness and avoids any anti-caking agents found in some commercial powdered sugars.
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Milk – Substitute with almond milk (or other plant-based milk): For a dairy-free alternative, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk can be used interchangeably with regular milk in the glaze. They provide a similar consistency and will not significantly alter the flavor of the glaze for your Honey Bun Cake.
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Vanilla extract – Substitute with maple syrup: While it will slightly alter the final taste, using pure maple syrup instead of vanilla extract in the glaze can introduce a unique, earthy sweetness and depth of flavor. This can be a delightful variation, especially if you enjoy the pairing of maple and cinnamon.
If You Love Honey Bun Cake, You’ll Adore These Similar Recipes!
If the warm, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced comfort of our Honey Bun Cake has captured your heart (and your taste buds), you’ll definitely want to explore these equally delightful alternative recipes. They share similar flavor profiles or textures, promising more moments of baking joy and delicious indulgence.
Extending Freshness: How to Store and Freeze Your Honey Bun Cake
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Honey Bun Cake for as long as possible. Whether you plan to savor it over a few days or save it for a future craving, these tips will help maintain its exquisite moisture and flavor.
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Cool Completely Before Storing: This is a critical first step. Allow your honey bun cake to cool down entirely to room temperature before attempting to wrap or store it. Storing a warm cake will lead to condensation building up inside the container, making the cake soggy and potentially spoiling it faster.
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Room Temperature Storage: For short-term enjoyment (up to 3 days), wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Ensure there are no exposed areas to prevent it from drying out. Alternatively, an airtight container works perfectly. Store the wrapped or containerized cake on your countertop. While refrigeration is an option, it can sometimes alter the cake’s texture, making it a bit denser, so room temperature is preferred for immediate consumption.
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Refrigeration for Longer Freshness: If you need to keep the cake fresh for up to a week, refrigeration is recommended. Place the tightly wrapped cake (plastic wrap followed by foil) or airtight container in the refrigerator. Remember to bring individual slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
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Preparing for Freezing: To freeze your Honey Bun Cake, first ensure it is completely cooled. Decide if you want to freeze it whole or in individual slices. Freezing in slices is often more convenient for portion control and quicker thawing.
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Double Wrapping for Freezer Protection: For optimal protection against freezer burn, wrap each slice or the entire cake meticulously. Start with a layer of plastic wrap, pressing it gently against the cake surface to remove as much air as possible. Follow this with a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. The double wrapping creates an effective barrier against moisture loss and odor absorption from other freezer items.
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Freezer-Safe Storage: Place the double-wrapped cake or slices into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight freezer container. Don’t forget to label it clearly with the date of freezing, so you can easily keep track of its freshness.
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Freezer Lifespan and Thawing: Your honey bun cake can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing of individual slices, you can leave them at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, avoid refreezing to maintain optimal texture.
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Revitalizing After Thawing: To bring your thawed cake back to its fresh-baked glory, warm individual slices briefly. A quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or a few minutes in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes can help restore some of its original moistness and delicious warmth, making it taste almost as good as freshly baked.
Reheating Leftovers: Bringing Your Honey Bun Cake Back to Life
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a warm slice of leftover Honey Bun Cake. Reheating it properly ensures it tastes just as delicious as it did on day one. Here are several methods to warm your cake to perfection:
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Oven Method (Best for Whole Cakes or Multiple Slices): For a gentle, even reheat that preserves moisture, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the honey bun cake (or individual slices) on a baking sheet. Crucially, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. This prevents the edges from drying out and helps trap steam, keeping the cake moist. Heat for about 10-15 minutes for slices, or slightly longer for a larger piece, until warm throughout. This method works especially well for maintaining the cake’s tender crumb.
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Microwave Method (Quick and Convenient): If you’re looking for the fastest way to warm a single slice, the microwave is your friend. Place a slice of honey bun cake on a microwave-safe plate. To prevent it from drying out, cover it with a slightly damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check for warmth and add more time in 10-second intervals if needed. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the cake tough and chewy.
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Air Fryer Method (For a Slight Crisp): For those who appreciate a slightly toasted, warm exterior, the air fryer can be a great option. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the honey bun cake slices directly in the basket (ensure they don’t overlap). Heat for 3-5 minutes. This method will warm the inside beautifully while providing a subtle, appealing crispiness to the outer edges.
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Stovetop Method (Unexpectedly Good for Single Slices): This method is excellent for a single slice and can add a lovely, slightly caramelized bottom. Use a non-stick skillet over very low heat. Place a slice of honey bun cake in the skillet and cover with a lid to trap moisture. Heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, checking frequently to avoid burning. The low heat is key here.
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Toaster Oven Method (Similar to Conventional Oven): A toaster oven offers a convenient, smaller-scale alternative to a full oven. Preheat it to 300°F (150°C). Place the honey bun cake slice on a small baking tray. Heat for 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as toaster ovens can sometimes heat more intensely than conventional ovens, to ensure it doesn’t overcook or burn.
Essential Tools for Baking Your Perfect Honey Bun Cake
Having the right tools at hand can make the baking process for your Honey Bun Cake smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. Here’s a list of the essential equipment you’ll need, along with why each is important:
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Oven: Your primary baking appliance. Accurate oven temperature is crucial for consistent results, so preheat it to 350°F (175°C) as instructed to ensure the cake bakes evenly and rises properly.
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Large mixing bowl: This provides ample space to comfortably combine the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil without spills, making the mixing process much easier and cleaner.
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Whisk (or electric mixer): Essential for thoroughly blending the cake batter until it’s smooth and homogenous. A whisk works fine for hand-mixing, but an electric hand mixer or stand mixer will make the process even quicker and ensure a lump-free batter.
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Greased 9×13 inch baking pan: The ideal vessel for baking this cake. Greasing (and lightly flouring or lining with parchment paper) is vital to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your finished Honey Bun Cake.
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Separate small bowl: Used for mixing the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Keeping this mixture separate until ready to sprinkle helps organize your workflow and ensures proper distribution.
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Spatula: Indispensable for spreading the batter evenly in the baking pan, especially when layering the cinnamon-sugar mixture. It also helps scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are incorporated.
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Toothpick (or wooden skewer): Your trusty tool for testing cake doneness. Inserting it into the center of the cake is the most reliable way to know when your Honey Bun Cake is perfectly baked.
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Small bowl (for glaze): Perfect for whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create the smooth, drizzly glaze. Its size is convenient for controlling the consistency.
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Spoon or small whisk (for glaze): Used for mixing the glaze ingredients until smooth and then for drizzling the luscious glaze evenly over the warm cake, giving it that iconic honey bun finish.
Smart Shortcuts: How to Save Time on Your Honey Bun Cake Recipe
Even though our Honey Bun Cake recipe is already quite simple, there are always ways to make your baking experience even more efficient. Here are some clever time-saving tips to get that delicious cake on your table faster:
Prepare ingredients ahead (Mise en Place): This is the golden rule of efficient cooking and baking. Measure and set out all ingredients—your cake mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, sugars, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla extract—before you even start mixing. This “mise en place” approach dramatically streamlines the entire baking process, ensuring you don’t scramble for ingredients mid-recipe.
Utilize a stand mixer or electric hand mixer: While a whisk works, a stand mixer or a powerful electric hand mixer can quickly and effortlessly blend the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil into a smooth batter. This saves precious arm strength and time compared to hand-mixing, especially if you double the recipe.
Pre-mix cinnamon sugar well in advance: The brown sugar and cinnamon mixture can be prepared days, or even weeks, ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Mixing the brown sugar and cinnamon in advance means one less step during active assembly, making the layering process much quicker.
Make the glaze while the cake bakes: Don’t wait until the cake is completely out of the oven to start on the glaze. As soon as the cake goes into the oven, you can prepare the glaze ingredients (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla). This ensures your luscious glaze is ready to drizzle as soon as the cake is done and has cooled slightly, minimizing waiting time.
Use parchment paper for easy cleanup: Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This simple trick not only ensures easy removal of the baked cake from the pan but also makes cleanup a breeze, saving you time scrubbing sticky residue.
Preheat your oven while gathering ingredients: As soon as you decide to bake, turn on your oven to the specified temperature (350°F / 175°C). Ovens can take 10-15 minutes or more to fully preheat, so starting this early means your oven will be ready the moment your batter is.
Honey Bun Cake: The Ultimate Sweet Treat
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Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- ¾ cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 4 tablespoon Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Mix until well blended.
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Pour half of the batter into a greased baking pan.
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In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the batter in the pan.
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Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
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Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
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Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake.
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Completing Your Meal: Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses
While our Honey Bun Cake is an undeniable star, creating a balanced and memorable meal often involves a thoughtful selection of appetizers and main courses. Here are some perfect complements that lead up to the sweet finale, ensuring a cohesive and delightful dining experience.
Appetizers to Kickstart Your Culinary Journey
Start your meal with light yet flavorful bites that tantalize the taste buds without overwhelming them, setting the stage for the main course and eventually, our sweet cake.
Hearty Main Courses to Satisfy
Following your appetizers, these main courses offer a substantial and delicious centerpiece for your meal, pairing well with the subsequent dessert without being overly heavy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Bun Cake
Got questions about making or enjoying your Honey Bun Cake? We’ve got answers! Here are some common queries to help you master this delicious recipe.
Your New Favorite Dessert Awaits!
We hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you to bake and enjoy this delightful Honey Bun Cake. Its perfect balance of moist cake, rich cinnamon swirl, and sweet glaze makes it a truly irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t be shy; give this recipe a try and share the warmth and comfort with your loved ones. Happy baking!
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