Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

When it comes to combining flavors that perfectly balance sweet, tangy, and a hint of warm spice, this Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing is the ultimate dessert. This delightful treat is a fusion of the classic honeybun cake’s signature cinnamon swirl and the bright, fruity freshness of strawberries. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, infused with strawberry puree or jam, it’s a cake that’s sure to impress at any gathering.

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Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a sweet indulgence, this recipe is the perfect addition to your baking repertoire. The tender, moist cake with layers of cinnamon sugar and bursts of fresh strawberries is paired with a silky, tangy strawberry cream cheese frosting that takes the flavor to another level.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of making this delectable cake, as well as provide tips and tricks for getting the perfect results every time. Let’s dive into the process of creating this Strawberry Honeybun Cake that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Honeybun Cake

Before we jump into the recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate why this cake is so special. Here’s what makes it stand out:

1. A Unique Flavor Combination

This cake brilliantly merges two dessert classics: the beloved honeybun cake and the universally adored strawberry shortcake. The result is a harmonious blend of flavors—sweet and tangy strawberries combined with warm cinnamon in every bite. The fresh strawberries in the batter add a fruity brightness, while the cinnamon swirl delivers a comforting warmth.

2. Rich and Creamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing

The icing is the true star of this cake. Cream cheese frosting is a popular favorite because of its smooth, velvety texture and tangy-sweet flavor. By adding strawberry puree or jam, we infuse this classic icing with a burst of fresh berry flavor that complements the cake perfectly.

3. Simple Ingredients, Impressive Results

Despite its impressive appearance and flavor, this cake is surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. The base of the cake comes from a box of yellow cake mix, making it accessible for even novice bakers. The addition of fresh strawberries and a cinnamon sugar swirl elevates it to the next level without requiring any complicated techniques.

4. Versatile for Any Occasion

Whether you’re serving it as a dessert for a family gathering, bringing it to a potluck, or baking it just for fun, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s sweet, flavorful, and looks stunning with the pink-tinted strawberry icing. Plus, you can easily modify the recipe to suit your preferences—more on that later!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Strawberry Honeybun Cake

Now that you know why this cake is worth making, let’s dive into the recipe itself. Follow these simple steps for a dessert that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon strawberry gelatin (optional, for extra strawberry flavor)

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup strawberry jam or puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer or whisk to blend the ingredients until smooth and well combined. The batter should be thick and creamy.

Next, gently fold in the diced fresh strawberries. If you want a stronger strawberry flavor, add 1 tablespoon of strawberry gelatin to the batter. The gelatin is optional but adds an extra layer of strawberry sweetness and a beautiful pink hue to the cake.

3. Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This simple mixture will create the signature cinnamon swirl layer in the cake, offering a delightful contrast to the sweet strawberries.

4. Assemble the Cake

Pour half of the cake batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter in an even layer. This cinnamon swirl adds a honeybun-inspired warmth to the cake.

Pour the remaining cake batter over the cinnamon swirl and spread it out evenly with a spatula. To create a marbled effect, use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl the layers together. This step adds a lovely visual appeal and ensures the cinnamon flavor is distributed throughout the cake.

5. Bake the Cake

Place the cake in your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so start checking at the 35-minute mark.

Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. It’s important to allow the cake to cool fully before adding the frosting, so the icing doesn’t melt.

6. Prepare the Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing

While the cake is cooling, you can start making the icing. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. It’s important that both ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture.

Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Once the sugar is fully incorporated, stir in the strawberry jam or puree and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined. The icing should be thick, creamy, and lightly tinted pink from the strawberries.

7. Frost the Cake

Once the cake has cooled completely, it’s time to add the frosting. Using a spatula, spread the strawberry cream cheese icing evenly over the top of the cake. You can be generous with the frosting—after all, it’s what makes this cake extra special!

8. Serve and Enjoy

Your Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing is now ready to serve! Slice the cake into squares and enjoy the perfect blend of sweet strawberries, warm cinnamon, and tangy cream cheese frosting.

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Tips and Tricks for Perfect Strawberry Honeybun Cake

To ensure your cake turns out perfectly every time, here are a few tips and tricks:

1. Use Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries are key to achieving the best flavor and texture in this cake. Frozen strawberries can add too much moisture and may result in a soggy cake, so stick with fresh, ripe berries for the best results.

2. Make It Your Own

While this recipe is delicious as is, you can customize it to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:

• Add a Crunchy Topping: For extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the icing before serving.
• Try Different Jams: If you don’t have strawberry jam, feel free to experiment with other fruit jams like raspberry or blackberry for a different flavor twist.
• Add a Glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cream cheese icing for added sweetness and visual appeal.

3. Don’t Skip the Cinnamon Swirl

The cinnamon swirl is what gives this cake its signature honeybun flavor. Even though the strawberries add a fresh twist, the warm cinnamon layer ties everything together and adds a depth of flavor you don’t want to miss.

4. Make It Ahead

This cake can be made a day in advance, and it actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store it in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Why Strawberry Honeybun Cake Is a Must-Try Recipe

The Strawberry Honeybun Cake is the ultimate fusion of fruity freshness and comforting warmth, making it a must-try recipe for any occasion. The cake’s tender crumb, bursting with fresh strawberries and swirled with cinnamon, pairs perfectly with the rich, tangy strawberry cream cheese icing.

Not only is this cake visually stunning with its pink-tinted frosting, but it’s also incredibly flavorful and satisfying. The cinnamon adds a cozy, spiced note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the strawberries, while the cream cheese frosting brings everything together in a smooth, velvety bite.

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s easy to make but sure to impress, this Strawberry Honeybun Cake is the perfect choice. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just because, it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your kitchen!