Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing

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Ohhh this one is a DREAM dessert 🍓✨
Since you love easy, comforting bakes (and I know dump cakes are your go-to!), this Strawberry Honeybun Cake gives that same simple-mix magic but with a bakery-style swirl and a creamy strawberry glaze. It’s soft, rich, fruity, and absolutely irresistible.

Let’s make this beautiful cake the full, detailed way 💕

🍓 Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing

🌸 Introduction

Strawberry Honeybun Cake is a delightful twist on the classic honeybun cake — a Southern-inspired dessert known for its cinnamon sugar swirl and sweet glaze. This version adds juicy strawberries and a luscious strawberry cream icing that melts into every bite.

It’s:

  • Soft and moist
  • Perfectly swirled with cinnamon sugar
  • Filled with bursts of fresh strawberry
  • Topped with creamy strawberry glaze

Perfect for brunch, potlucks, birthdays, spring gatherings, or whenever you want something sweet and comforting.

🍰 Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 cup diced strawberries (fresh or thawed & drained)

For the Strawberry Cream Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk (more if needed)
  • 1/2 cup strawberry puree (fresh strawberries blended smooth)

🥣 Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Oven & Pan

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or line with parchment for easy removal).

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl:

  • Add cake mix
  • Eggs
  • Sour cream
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and fully combined (about 2 minutes on medium speed).

👉 The sour cream is the secret to extra moisture and richness.

Step 3: Prepare Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl:

  • Mix brown sugar + ground cinnamon

Set aside.

Step 4: Layer & Form the Swirl

  1. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
  2. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly.
  3. Scatter diced strawberries across the layer.
  4. Gently pour remaining batter over top and smooth evenly.
  5. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.

Optional: Use a butter knife to gently swirl for a marbled honeybun effect.

🔥 Baking

  • Bake for 30–35 minutes
  • Cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Let cool for 10–15 minutes before icing.

Cooking Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: Approx. 420 per serving

🍓 Strawberry Cream Icing Method

In a bowl:

  • Whisk powdered sugar
  • Add strawberry puree
  • Add milk gradually until smooth and pourable

The icing should be thick but drizzle nicely.

Pour over warm (not hot) cake and spread gently.

Let cake cool completely so icing sets beautifully.

🏛 History of Honeybun Cake

Honeybun cake is inspired by the classic honeybun pastry — a soft, cinnamon-swirled sweet roll glazed with icing. It became popular in Southern kitchens in the 1970s as a shortcut cake using boxed cake mix.

Over time, bakers added fruits, cream cheese layers, and flavored glazes. This strawberry version brings a bright, modern, fruity upgrade to the nostalgic classic.

🧁 Formation & Texture

This cake forms:

  • A soft, tender crumb from sour cream
  • A sweet cinnamon swirl layer
  • Juicy strawberry pockets
  • A glossy strawberry cream topping

The glaze slightly melts into the cake creating a moist, bakery-style finish.

💡 Expert Tips

✔ Drain strawberries well if using frozen
✔ For stronger strawberry flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract to icing
✔ Want extra richness? Add 1/2 cup white chocolate chips to batter
✔ Serve slightly warm for ultimate softness

❤️ Why Cake Lovers Adore This Recipe

People love this cake because:

  • It’s incredibly easy (just mix and bake!)
  • It tastes like a strawberry cinnamon roll in cake form
  • The icing makes it look bakery-made
  • It’s perfect for spring and summer
  • It’s family-friendly and crowd-approved

If you enjoy moist, swirl-style cakes like honeybun or cinnamon roll cakes, this one will absolutely become a favorite.

🌷 Perfect Occasions

  • Mother’s Day
  • Brunch gatherings
  • Easter dessert
  • Afternoon tea
  • Potluck parties
  • Weekend family treat

🍓 Conclusion

Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing is comfort baking at its finest. It combines nostalgia with fresh fruit flavor, delivering a soft, sweet, cinnamon-kissed dessert topped with a vibrant strawberry glaze.

Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Beautiful results.

One slice won’t be enough ❤️🍓

If you’d like, I can also turn this into:

  • A cream cheese swirl version
  • A layered celebration cake version
  • A strawberry cheesecake honeybun cake
  • Or even a dump-style strawberry honeybun (since you love easy ones 😉)

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