Craving something sweet, fruity, and a little nostalgic? This Strawberry Honeybun Cake is your go-to dessert! It’s soft, moist, and bursting with the juicy flavor of strawberries, finished with a luscious strawberry cream icing that’ll make you swoon. Whether it’s a family gathering, potluck, or just a cozy night in, this cake is guaranteed to impress. Let’s dive into this easy and oh-so-delicious recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Cake
- Bursting with Strawberry Flavor: Real strawberries in every bite, both in the cake and the icing.
- Moist and Tender: Thanks to the sour cream and oil, this cake is incredibly moist.
- Easy to Make: Uses a simple boxed cake mix with a few extra twists to make it taste homemade.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, picnic, or just because this cake fits every celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix 🎂
- 3 large eggs 🥚
- 1 cup sour cream 🥄
- ½ cup vegetable oil 🫒
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍨
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar 🍯
- 1 cup diced strawberries (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained) 🍓
For the Strawberry Cream Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk 🥛
- ½ cup strawberry puree (blend fresh strawberries until smooth) 🍓
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍨
Let’s Bake!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth no lumps allowed!
Step 3: Add a Sweet Cinnamon Twist
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This will be your magical layer that adds a burst of flavor throughout the cake.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the brown sugar-cinnamon mix over the batter, followed by the diced strawberries.
- Pour the remaining cake batter over the strawberry layer and smooth it out.
- Top with the rest of the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture for that extra cinnamon crunch.
Step 5: Time to Bake!
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly like a sweet strawberry-cinnamon dream! 😍
Step 6: Whip Up the Strawberry Cream Icing
While the cake bakes, prepare the icing. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust with a bit more milk if needed to reach your desired drizzle consistency.
Step 7: Ice, Slice & Enjoy!
Once the cake has cooled slightly, pour the strawberry cream icing over the top. The sweet, fruity icing will soak into the warm cake, making every bite super moist and flavorful.
Tips & Tricks
- Use Fresh Strawberries: If possible, opt for fresh strawberries for the best flavor. But frozen (thawed and drained) works just as well!
- Make It Extra Fruity: Add an extra handful of diced strawberries to the batter for even more berry goodness.
- Let It Cool: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before icing to avoid a runny mess.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert.
- Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee for a sweet start to the day.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry slices and a sprig of mint for a beautiful presentation.
Storing Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze the cake (without icing) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh icing before serving.
This Strawberry Honeybun Cake is a delightful mix of old-school comfort with a fresh twist of strawberry flavor. It’s the perfect treat for any strawberry lover. Happy baking, and enjoy every scrumptious bite! 🍓🍰❤️