Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing Recipe

If you adore the cozy, familiar comfort of a honeybun, now imagine it layered with sun-ripened strawberries and wrapped in a blanket of luscious frosting. That’s exactly what the Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing delivers—a nostalgia-packed, moist cake swirled with jammy fruit, a touch of cinnamon warmth, and crowned with the dreamiest strawberry-speckled icing. Whether you’re planning a spring brunch, celebrating a birthday, or simply craving a joyful dessert, this recipe packs both wow-factor flavor and effortless charm into every slice.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing recipe is a celebration of simple, accessible ingredients that transform into something extraordinary. Each plays a key role—creating moist layers, bright flavors, and irresistible texture in every bite!

• Strawberry cake mix: The backbone of this cake, infusing every slice with strawberry flavor and providing a pillowy, tender crumb with minimal fuss.
• Large eggs: Four eggs add richness and ensure that the cake rises perfectly, giving it a pleasingly light structure.
• Sour cream: This secret weapon guarantees moistness and a subtle tang that balances the cake’s sweetness.
• Vegetable oil: Essential for a soft crumb and moist texture—don’t skip this for that bakery-fresh feel.
• Water: Just enough to keep the batter smooth and perfectly pourable.
• Granulated sugar: Sprinkled midway for that signature honeybun swirl and an extra touch of sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds a gentle warmth, beautifully complementing strawberries and making each bite cozy.
• Strawberry jam or preserves: The juicy, fruity swirl at the core—choose a really flavorful jam for maximum impact.
• Chopped pecans (optional): For a delightful crunch and nutty undertones, but you can leave them out for a nut-free version.
• Unsalted butter (melted): Drizzled on top before baking, it creates a tender, flavorful crust—pure decadence!
• Powdered sugar: The foundation of our Strawberry Cream Icing, dissolving into silky-sweet perfection.
• Strawberry puree or mashed fresh strawberries: For a vibrant, naturally pink glaze with real berry flavor.
• Heavy cream: Ensures the icing is creamy, smooth, and easily spreadable over the warm cake.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the icing’s flavor with a hint of warmth and complexity.
• Pinch of salt: The tiniest accent that balances and brightens all the other flavors in the icing.

How to Make Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously—either with nonstick spray or butter—so the cake releases easily and beautiful slices are effortless later.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and water. Beat everything together until the batter is silky-smooth and gloriously pink. You’re looking for a consistency that pours easily but holds a little texture—don’t overmix, just until combined!

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar and Strawberry Jam Layers

In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon, making sure the spice is evenly distributed. This may seem simple, but this step is where the classic honeybun essence comes in! Have your strawberry jam and pecans nearby—they’re about to become a dazzling layer of flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Pour half the cake batter into your prepared dish and spread it evenly across the bottom. Drizzle the surface with strawberry jam, then scatter the cinnamon-sugar and, if desired, sprinkle those chopped pecans for crunch. Carefully spread the remaining batter over everything, smoothing with a spatula to fully cover the filling.

Step 5: Add the Buttery Finish

Now for a decadent touch: drizzle the melted unsalted butter across the surface of the cake. It seeps in as it bakes, creating an ultra-tender crumb and gilding the top with golden flavor. This is what transforms an everyday cake into something truly special!

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake should puff gently and develop little golden spots on top. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean (except where it may hit jam). Let it cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes while you whip up the icing.

Step 7: Make the Strawberry Cream Icing

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry puree (or mashed fresh strawberries), heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The mixture should be smooth and pourable—with lovely speckles of fresh strawberry. If you like your icing a bit thinner, add a splash more cream.

Step 8: Ice the Warm Cake

When the cake is just warm (not scorching), spread your strawberry cream icing generously over the top, letting it drip and swirl into every crevice. The icing will set slightly as the cake cools, binding all those flavors together in the most tempting sheet cake you’ve ever made.

How to Serve Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing

Garnishes

A dusting of extra powdered sugar, a few fresh strawberry slices, or even a sprinkling of chopped pecans make this cake truly eye-catching—perfect for any occasion where you want Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing to shine right off the dessert table.

Side Dishes

This cake is sweet and luscious all on its own, but you can pair it with scoops of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of softly whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the cake into squares and pile them onto a pretty cake stand, or serve individual portions in cupcake liners for parties and potlucks. For a festive touch, try swirling a little extra strawberry jam into the icing or adding edible flowers—the colorful, inviting look will have guests swooning over your Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the cooled cake tightly with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake stays soft and the flavors grow even richer as it sits!

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully—even with the icing! Just slice, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, and freeze in a zip-top bag. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight, and your Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing will be as delightful as the day it was baked.

Reheating

To enjoy that just-baked warmth, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The icing turns glossy and the cake becomes irresistibly tender again—heavenly with a morning cup of coffee or tea!

FAQs

Can I use a homemade strawberry cake instead of boxed mix?

Absolutely! Feel free to bake your favorite homemade strawberry cake batter and follow the same layering method for that bespoke touch—just be sure the batter yields enough for a 9×13-inch pan.

Is it possible to make this cake nut-free?

Yes, simply skip the chopped pecans entirely. The cake is magnificent with or without them, so everyone can enjoy a slice of Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing worry-free.

How can I intensify the strawberry flavor?

Add 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry extract to the cake batter or the icing, or swirl a bit more jam on the top layer before baking for a deeply fruity twist!

What’s the best way to get a marbled look in the cake?

Once all layers are in the pan, gently swirl the batter with a butter knife to create beautiful twists of jam and cinnamon—it’s both gorgeous and delicious!

Can I make the icing in advance?

Yes! Mix the strawberry cream icing a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Just give it a good stir or whisk before pouring over the cake.

Final Thoughts

Warm, tender, and bursting with berry goodness, Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing is the kind of treat you’ll come back to again and again. Give it a try, share it with those you love, and watch as every plate comes back clean—this is truly a cake to remember!

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