Strawberry Honeybun Cake

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🍓 Strawberry Honeybun Cake 🍯

Soft swirls, strawberry shine, and sweet icing hugs in every bite.

🌸 Introduction

Strawberry Honeybun Cake is a tender, bakery-style dessert inspired by the beloved honeybun pastry—but transformed into a moist, sliceable cake bursting with strawberry flavor. With a cinnamon-sugar ripple, strawberry glaze baked right in, and a creamy strawberry icing on top, this cake feels nostalgic, comforting, and celebratory all at once. One slice is never enough.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 box strawberry cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sour cream (for moisture and richness)
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Swirl

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Strawberry Filling

  • 1 cup strawberry preserves or pie filling

For the Strawberry Icing

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry puree or preserves

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan well.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
  4. Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Sprinkle evenly with half of the cinnamon sugar, then spoon strawberry preserves gently over the top.
  6. Add remaining batter and finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
  7. Use a knife to gently swirl the layers—don’t overmix.
  8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
  9. Let the cake cool slightly before icing.

🍓 Icing Method

  1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and strawberry puree until smooth.
  2. Drizzle generously over the warm (not hot) cake so it melts into every swirl.

🧁 Baking Method Explained

This cake uses the honeybun swirl method, where sugar and flavorings are layered and swirled into batter rather than mixed fully. This creates pockets of sweetness and moisture throughout the cake—just like a classic honeybun pastry but softer and richer.

📜 A Little History

Honeybun cakes became popular in American home baking as a way to recreate store-bought pastries using simple pantry ingredients. Strawberry versions grew in popularity as strawberry cake mixes and preserves became household staples—bringing a fruity, colorful twist to a cinnamon classic.

🎂 Formation & Texture

  • Top: Glossy strawberry icing that gently soaks in
  • Middle: Ribboned cinnamon-strawberry swirl
  • Crumb: Ultra-moist, tender, and plush
    Each layer works together to create a balanced sweetness with warm spice and bright fruit.

❤️ Who Loves This Cake

  • Strawberry lovers 🍓
  • Fans of soft, bakery-style cakes
  • Holiday and brunch dessert lovers
  • Anyone who loves quick, impressive homemade treats

This cake is especially loved by those who enjoy nostalgic flavors with a modern fruity twist.

🔁 Methods & Variations Loved by Bakers

  • Add chopped fresh strawberries for texture
  • Swap cinnamon for vanilla sugar for a lighter swirl
  • Use cream cheese icing instead of glaze for richness
  • Bake in a bundt pan for a show-stopping presentation

🌟 Conclusion

Strawberry Honeybun Cake is comfort baking at its finest—easy to make, beautiful to serve, and unforgettable to taste. Whether for family gatherings, celebrations, or a quiet sweet moment, this cake delivers warmth, joy, and strawberry-kissed perfection in every slice.

One slice… full sweet. 🍓🍰

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