Strawberry Honeybun Red Cake

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Absolutely! Here’s a full, long-form recipe for the dreamy and decadent Strawberry Honeybun Red Cake—a rich fusion of flavors made to impress and delight.

Strawberry Honeybun Red Cake

A Velvety, Honey-Laced Dream with Layers of Strawberries and Cream

Introduction

The Strawberry Honeybun Red Cake is a luscious twist on classic red velvet, sweetened with golden honey and layered with fresh strawberries and silky cream cheese frosting. It’s tender, vibrant, and moist, evoking the comfort of a honeybun roll and the charm of a strawberry shortcake—all wrapped in red velvet elegance. This cake is made for celebrations, sweet dates, and those moments when indulgence is the only answer.

A Bite of History

Red velvet cake emerged in the early 20th century, gaining popularity in the American South. Its rich color originally came from natural cocoa and acidic buttermilk reactions. Meanwhile, honeybuns—a Southern bakery staple—brought a sticky, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture to breakfast tables across America. This cake brings the best of both worlds, fusing the buttery, tender richness of a honeybun with the deep allure of red velvet and the fruity brightness of fresh strawberries.

Ingredients (Makes one 9-inch 3-layer cake)

For the Red Velvet Honeybun Cake Layers:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp honey (for that honeybun touch)
  • 1 tbsp red gel food coloring (adjust for desired hue)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature

For the Honey Swirl Filling (Optional but recommended):

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4–5 cups powdered sugar (to taste and consistency)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Strawberry Filling:

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp sugar (optional, for macerating)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions & Method

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Cake Batter

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, honey, and red food coloring.
  4. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy (3–4 minutes).
  5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture to the creamed butter, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined.

Step 2: Add the Honey Swirl (Optional)

  1. In a small bowl, mix honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Pour a third of the cake batter into each pan. Drizzle the honey swirl mixture over the batter and gently swirl with a knife.

Step 3: Bake the Cake Layers

  1. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Filling

  1. Toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Let sit 10–15 minutes until juicy.
  2. Drain excess liquid before layering onto cake.

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt.
  3. Gradually add powdered sugar until your desired sweetness and texture is reached.
  4. Chill frosting slightly for firmer spreading, if needed.

Step 6: Assemble the Cake

  1. Place one cooled cake layer on a cake board or stand.
  2. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting, then top with a layer of sliced strawberries.
  3. Repeat with the second layer. Add final cake layer on top.
  4. Frost the entire cake with cream cheese frosting. Smooth or swirl as desired.
  5. Decorate with extra strawberries, a drizzle of honey, or red velvet crumbs.

Formation & Flavor Layers

This cake builds flavor and texture in every tier:

  • The honey-infused red velvet layers are soft, buttery, and rich.
  • The cream cheese frosting adds tangy, sweet creaminess.
  • The strawberries bring freshness and fruity brightness.
  • The optional honey swirl mimics the sticky, nostalgic flavor of a warm honeybun.

Conclusion

The Strawberry Honeybun Red Cake is more than just beautiful—it’s a masterpiece of textures and tastes. With its moist crumb, luxurious frosting, and juicy strawberries, it’s perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any day that needs a little extra sweetness.

For Lovers & Sweet Moments

Bake this cake for someone special, or better yet—bake it with them. Swirling honey, layering berries, and sneaking spoonfuls of frosting is romance in motion. Sharing this cake is sharing joy, indulgence, and a delicious memory.

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