Irresistible Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies

Indulge in the sweet, comforting flavors of your favorite bakery treat with these incredible Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies. Imagine a soft, chewy cinnamon-spiced cookie, topped with a delightful swirl, and generously brushed with a warm, homemade honey butter glaze – it’s pure bliss in every bite. This recipe brings the magic of Crumbl’s beloved honey bun cookie right into your kitchen, allowing you to recreate that iconic taste anytime you desire.

When Crumbl Bakery announced the return of their much-anticipated Honey Bun cookie, I, like many others, couldn’t contain my excitement. I made a beeline to the store the very first day, not just to savor its warm, nostalgic flavor, but with a mission to meticulously deconstruct and replicate this masterpiece for all of you. My goal was simple: to create a copycat recipe that captures every nuanced detail, from its tender texture to its signature honey-cinnamon sweetness.

I was immediately impressed by the cookie’s perfectly soft and delightfully chewy texture – a hallmark of Crumbl’s reputation. However, I often find Crumbl cookies to be overwhelmingly sweet. This particular cookie, on the other hand, struck a beautiful balance. The cinnamon spice was just right, complementing rather than being overshadowed by, the exquisite honey butter glaze. Recreating this unique flavor profile was a truly rewarding experience, and I can’t wait for you to experience the joy of baking and tasting these at home. Prepare for a wave of delicious nostalgia!

Imperial sugar featuring honey bun cookie

Experience the Best Homemade Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies!

Honestly, I wished this delightful cookie had made an appearance before Christmas! It would have been an absolute showstopper for holiday cookie boxes or a festive Christmas brunch. But fret not, there’s always next year for these beauties to grace our holiday tables. In the meantime, I believe these cookies are also absolutely perfect for other festive occasions throughout the year. Imagine serving them for Valentine’s Day, as a sweet gesture of love, or for an Easter gathering, adding a touch of warmth and spice to your spring celebrations. Their versatile appeal makes them a fantastic choice for any special event, or simply for a comforting treat any day of the week.

Why You Absolutely Must Bake These Honey Bun Cookies!

If you’re a fan of Crumbl cookies or simply crave an irresistibly delicious treat, this homemade honey bun cookie recipe is a must-try. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with baking these:

Authentic Crumbl Flavor: This recipe delivers a taste that is remarkably close to the original Crumbl Honey Bun cookie, satisfying your cravings for that signature bakery experience without leaving your home.
Enjoy Anytime: No more waiting for Crumbl’s rotating menu! You can whip up a batch of these soft, cinnamon-spiced delights whenever the mood strikes, ensuring a constant supply of your favorite treat.
Master the Swirl: This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to create the iconic honey bun swirl on top of each cookie, adding an impressive visual touch that elevates your baking skills.
Irresistible Honey Butter Glaze: Learn to craft a luscious homemade honey butter glaze from scratch. This golden, buttery topping is a game-changer, infusing the cookies with an unmatched richness and authentic honey bun flavor that store-bought versions can’t compete with.
Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are not only easy to make but also incredibly impressive. They are ideal for serving at parties, brunches, holiday gatherings, or simply as a special homemade dessert for your family and friends.
Cost-Effective Indulgence: Recreating Crumbl’s popular cookies at home is significantly more budget-friendly than buying them from the store, allowing you to enjoy more of these delectable treats without breaking the bank.
Freshness Guaranteed: Homemade cookies always taste better! You control the ingredients, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality components go into every batch.

Essential Ingredients for Your Crumbl Honey Bun Cookie Masterpiece

Crafting the perfect Crumbl Honey Bun cookie requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving that signature taste and texture. Below is a list of what you’ll need, along with a brief explanation of their purpose. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card further down this page.

Butter: Whether you choose salted or unsalted, ensure your butter is at room temperature. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air for a tender, fluffy cookie.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This recipe utilizes a harmonious blend of both sugars. Granulated sugar provides crispness and spreads, while brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes to that desirable chewy texture.
Egg: A large, room-temperature egg acts as the primary binding agent, emulsifying the fats and liquids, adding richness, and helping the cookies achieve their structure and softness.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic brightness that is essential for any good cookie.
Butter Extract: This is the secret ingredient that truly elevates these cookies to an authentic honey bun experience. It amplifies the buttery notes, giving them that distinct bakery-fresh flavor. Don’t skip it for the best results!
All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for these cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while remaining tender.
Corn Starch: The addition of corn starch is key to achieving an extra tender and soft cookie crumb, preventing them from becoming tough.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents work in tandem to give the honey bun cookies a beautiful rise and a delightfully fluffy texture.
Cinnamon: A generous hint of ground cinnamon is non-negotiable for honey buns! It provides that warm, inviting spice that defines the flavor profile.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the cookies, enhancing all the flavors and preventing them from tasting flat.
Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine sugar is the base for our smooth, decadent honey butter glaze, ensuring a silky finish.
Honey: Real honey is the star of our honey butter glaze, providing its namesake flavor and a natural sweetness that complements the cinnamon cookies perfectly.
Milk: A splash of milk helps to thin and smooth out the honey butter glaze, giving it that luxurious, brushable consistency.

Crafting Your Own Honey Bun Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making these irresistible honey bun cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these summarized steps to create your batch of bakery-worthy treats. For a complete list of detailed instructions and expert tips, be sure to scroll down to the comprehensive recipe card below.

Prepare Your Dough: Begin by creaming together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This initial step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture.
Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and butter extract into the creamed mixture. Continue mixing until all the wet ingredients are smoothly integrated and the mixture is uniform.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies.
Shape and Swirl: Divide the dough into seven equally sized balls. Roll each portion between your palms to create a smooth sphere, then gently flatten it to about 1 inch in thickness. Using a chopstick or the back of a spoon, carefully create the characteristic honey bun swirl indentations on the top of each cookie.
Bake to Perfection: Place the prepared cookie dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

Creamed egg, sugar and butter in mixing bowl

Whipping Up the Perfect Honey Butter Glaze

The honey butter glaze is the crowning glory of these cookies, adding an unparalleled richness and sweetness. Here’s how to prepare this simple yet decadent topping:

Melt Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the butter, powdered sugar, honey, and milk. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat.
Stir Until Smooth: Continuously stir the mixture until all the powdered sugar has completely dissolved and the glaze is smooth and uniform. Be careful not to let the mixture boil; you want it to be warm and fluid, not simmering.
Cool and Apply: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the glaze to cool slightly. While the cookies are still warm, use a pastry brush to generously coat each cookie with the luscious honey butter glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before indulging in your freshly baked honey bun cookies!
Enjoy!: The warmth of the cookie combined with the sweet, buttery glaze creates an exquisite flavor experience.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore!

If you’re a fan of these homemade Crumbl Honey Bun cookies, you’ll love exploring some of our other fantastic cookie recipes. Each one is designed to bring bakery-quality treats to your home kitchen:

Chewy Crumbl Pumpkin Roll Cookies: Perfect for autumn, these cookies capture the essence of a cozy pumpkin roll in a delightful cookie form.
Easy CRUMBL Lemon Glaze Cookies: Bright, zesty, and incredibly refreshing, these lemon-glazed cookies are a burst of sunshine.
Crumbl Snickerdoodle Cupcake Cookies: A creative twist on a classic, combining the softness of a cupcake with the spiced goodness of a snickerdoodle.
Easy Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe: For when you want all the flavor of snickerdoodles in a convenient bar form, perfect for sharing.
Crumbl Mom’s Recipe Cookies / Soft Oatmeal Cookies: A comforting, timeless recipe for soft, chewy oatmeal cookies that taste just like mom used to make.

Crumbl honey bun cookie with a bite taken out of it

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Honey Bun Cookies

To help you get the most out of your homemade Crumbl Honey Bun cookies, here are answers to some common questions:

How to Store Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies?

To maintain their freshness and flavor, store these delicious cookies in an airtight container. At room temperature, they will remain wonderfully soft and enjoyable for up to 4 days. If you prefer to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For the absolute best experience, I highly recommend warming them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. This gentle reheating restores that delightful, warm honey bun flavor we all crave, making them taste as if they just came out of the oven.

Can I Freeze Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies?

Yes, absolutely! These cookies freeze beautifully, allowing you to enjoy them even longer. To freeze, arrange the baked and glazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for a few hours until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies in the refrigerator overnight. Just like with fresh cookies, a quick warm-up in the microwave for a few seconds will bring out their best ooey-gooey texture and full honey bun flavor. After all, a warm honey bun is simply unparalleled!

Do I Have to Make the Cookies with the Swirls on Top?

You absolutely do not have to create the swirls! While the characteristic swirl is a charming visual touch that truly makes these cookies resemble classic honey buns, it does add an extra step to the preparation process. If you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, skipping the swirl indentations will not compromise the incredible taste or texture of the cookie. They will still be just as delicious, soft, and rich with cinnamon and honey flavor. The choice is yours – make them quickly without the swirl for a speedy treat, or add the swirl for that authentic bakery look!

How to Make Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies Catering Sized?

If you’re planning a larger gathering or simply want to make smaller, more manageable cookies, adjusting the size is easy. Instead of scooping out seven large cookies (using a 1/4 cup or 4 tbsp scoop), you can make 14 smaller cookies from the same batch of dough. For these catering-sized cookies, reduce the baking time to approximately 8-9 minutes, as they will cook faster due to their smaller size. Once baked, decorate them with the honey butter glaze in the same manner you would the larger cookies. This offers a convenient way to serve more guests or enjoy smaller portions.

What Tools Do I Need for This Recipe?

To make these honey bun cookies, you’ll need standard baking equipment. This includes a stand mixer or hand mixer for creaming butter and sugar, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a rubber spatula, a baking sheet, parchment paper, and a 1/4 cup (or 4 tbsp) cookie scoop. For the glaze, a small saucepan and a pastry brush are essential. A chopstick or the back of a spoon is useful for creating the signature swirls.

Can I Make These Cookies Gluten-Free or Vegan?

While this recipe is designed for traditional ingredients, it might be possible to adapt it. For a gluten-free version, you could try substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. For a vegan version, you would need to replace the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and the egg with a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer. However, please note that altering these ingredients may change the texture and flavor of the cookies, and results are not guaranteed to be identical to the original recipe.

Troubleshooting: Why Are My Cookies Flat?

Flat cookies can happen for a few reasons. Ensure your butter is softened but not melted, as melted butter can cause cookies to spread too much. Also, make sure your baking soda and baking powder are fresh and active. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can also help prevent excessive spreading, especially if your kitchen is warm. Lastly, accurately measuring your flour is crucial; too little flour can lead to flat cookies.

If you made these incredible Crumbl honey bun cookies and loved them, please consider leaving a 5-star review! Simply click on the 5 stars below the recipe title and description. Your feedback truly helps and is greatly appreciated!

4.97 from 66 votes

CRUMBL Honey Bun Cookies

These Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies are soft, cinnamon-spiced cookies topped with a divine honey butter glaze – absolute perfection in every bite!

Prep:

25 minutes

Cook:

13 minutes

Total:

53 minutes

Servings:

7
cookies

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Ingredients

Cookies Base

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp butter extract (optional)
1 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp corn starch
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Honey Butter Glaze

2 tbsp butter (softened)
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp milk

Instructions

Make the Cookie Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookie’s tender texture. Add in the room-temperature egg, vanilla extract, and butter extract. Continue mixing until everything is smoothly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in tough cookies.
Using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop (equivalent to about 4 tablespoons), scoop out 7 equally sized portions of cookie dough. Roll each portion gently between the palms of your hands to form a smooth ball. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate space between each cookie for spreading. Gently flatten each cookie ball to about 1 inch in thickness. For the signature honey bun look, use a chopstick or the back of a spoon to create spiral indentations on the top of each cookie dough disc.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set. The cookies may still look slightly underdone in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they cool. Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 15-20 minutes before transferring them. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.

Prepare the Honey Butter Glaze

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the honey butter glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, honey, and milk. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and continuously stir the mixture with a whisk until the powdered sugar is fully dissolved and the glaze is smooth. Ensure the mixture does not boil; you want it to be warm enough to dissolve the sugar, but not cooked.
Remove the pan from the stovetop and let the glaze cool slightly. Using a pastry brush, generously brush each warm cookie with the luscious butter sauce. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. The warmth of the cookies helps the glaze absorb slightly, enhancing the flavor. Enjoy your freshly baked and glazed Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies!

Notes

How to Store Crumbl Honey Bun Cookies?

You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the fridge for up to 7 days.

For the best taste, warm them in the microwave for a few seconds before enjoying to bring out that beloved honey bun flavor!

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Loved this Crumbl Honey Bun Cookie Recipe? Pin it for Later!

Don’t let this amazing recipe get lost! If you’ve enjoyed making and tasting these delightful homemade Crumbl Honey Bun cookies, make sure to save it for future baking sessions. Pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever a craving for warm, cinnamon-spiced, honey-glazed goodness strikes!