Sweet and Fluffy Strawberry Honeybun Cake Recipe for Beginners

Sweet strawberry honeybun cake brings summer memories rushing back to my kitchen.

Fragrant berries dance alongside soft, buttery layers that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Childhood nostalgia wraps around each delightful slice like a warm embrace.

Baking this dessert feels like reconnecting with cherished moments from grandmother’s sunny afternoon gatherings.

Familiar ingredients combine in surprisingly magical ways, creating something both comforting and exciting.

Casual yet elegant, this recipe promises pure deliciousness without complicated techniques.

Let’s whip up a treat that celebrates simplicity and joy.

Strawberry Honeybun Cake: Swirled, Sweet, Lovely

• Quick Whip Up: Prepare this delightful cake with minimal effort using a boxed cake mix and simple pantry ingredients, making it a breeze for bakers of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The perfect blend of sweet strawberry, warm cinnamon, and creamy glaze creates a mouthwatering treat that will wow family and friends at gatherings.
• Versatile Celebration Cake: Ideal for potlucks, birthdays, brunches, or just a special weekend dessert that brings everyone together with its irresistible flavor and comforting texture.
• Customizable Delight: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping strawberry jam for other fruit preserves or adding extra toppings to make this cake uniquely yours.

Honeybun Cake Ingredient Guide

• Strawberry Cake Mix: The core ingredient that provides the primary strawberry flavor and cake structure.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and richness to the cake batter.
• Eggs: Helps bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Water: Helps blend the cake mix ingredients smoothly.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds additional sweetness to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor to complement the strawberry.

• Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a sweet and spicy layer within the cake that adds depth and texture.

• Powdered Sugar, Strawberry Jam, Milk: Combines to create a smooth, sweet strawberry glaze that tops the finished cake.

Steps for Strawberry Honeybun Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C).

Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magical Batter

• Strawberry cake mix
• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip everything together until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Craft Cinnamon Magic

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon to create a heavenly swirl that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Layer With Love

Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture across the surface.

Gently cover with remaining batter, ensuring an even distribution.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Send your cake into the oven for 35-40 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let the cake cool right in the pan.

Step 6: Whip Up Strawberry Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and strawberry jam until silky smooth.

Slowly add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a drizzle-worthy consistency.

Step 7: Drench In Glaze

Once the cake has cooled completely, shower it with the strawberry glaze, covering every delicious inch.

Step 8: Slice And Enjoy

Cut into generous slices and savor your mouthwatering Strawberry Honeybun Cake!

Tips for Swirled Cake Perfection

• Insert a toothpick at the cake's center to ensure it comes out clean, indicating perfect baking without raw batter.
• Add milk gradually to the powdered sugar and strawberry jam mixture for a smooth, pourable consistency that drizzles beautifully.
• Generously grease the baking pan with butter or cooking spray to help the cake release easily after baking.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture carefully and evenly across the first batter layer for consistent flavor in every bite.
• Let eggs and sour cream sit at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more integrated cake batter.

Flavorful Honeybun Cake Variations

• Lemon Berry Blast: Replace strawberry cake mix with lemon cake mix and use raspberry jam for the glaze, creating a tangy citrus version of the original recipe.
• Chocolate Swirl Sensation: Swap strawberry cake mix for chocolate cake mix, use cocoa powder in the cinnamon swirl, and create a chocolate glaze with melted chocolate chips.
• Gluten-Free Fruity Option: Use a gluten-free strawberry cake mix, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt, and ensure all ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Vegan Berry Dream: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based cake mix, swap sour cream for coconut yogurt, and create a glaze using plant-based milk and vegan powdered sugar.

Serve Honeybun Cake with Icing

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this cake with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat that melts in your mouth.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Garnish each slice with fresh strawberry slices and a light dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the presentation.
• Summer Party Star: Serve chilled at outdoor gatherings, picnics, or potlucks as a crowd-pleasing dessert that captures fresh strawberry flavors.
• Breakfast Brunch Highlight: Cut into smaller squares and display on a beautiful platter alongside other breakfast pastries for a stunning brunch spread.

Store Cake for Snack O’Clock

• Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
• Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if planning to consume quickly. Use a cake dome or plastic container with a tight lid to maintain texture.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. For oven reheating, place slice on baking sheet and warm at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore soft, fresh texture.

FAQs

• What gives this cake its unique flavor profile?

The combination of strawberry cake mix, sour cream, and cinnamon-sugar swirl creates a rich, tangy, and sweet taste that sets this cake apart from traditional desserts.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the strawberry cake mix with vanilla or white cake mix, but it will alter the strawberry flavor of the final dessert.

• Is the sour cream necessary for the recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and helps create a tender, soft texture in the cake, making it an important ingredient for achieving the desired consistency.

• How can I tell if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is fully baked and ready to be removed from the oven.

Strawberry Honeybun Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet aromas of Strawberry Honeybun Cake dance through kitchens, promising pure comfort and indulgence. Moist layers infused with fruity richness invite bakers to savor each delectable slice of homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box strawberry cake mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Flavor Enhancers and Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
• 1–2 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend strawberry cake mix, sour cream, eggs, vegetable oil, water, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
3. Create a separate mixture of brown sugar and ground cinnamon for the swirl component, ensuring the ingredients are well integrated.
4. Transfer half the cake batter into the prepared pan, distributing it evenly across the surface. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over this initial layer.
5. Carefully pour the remaining cake batter on top of the cinnamon layer, gently spreading to cover the entire surface without disturbing the underlying cinnamon swirl.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
7. Allow the cake to cool completely within the baking pan while preparing the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and strawberry jam until smooth.
8. Incrementally add milk to the glaze mixture, stirring until achieving a pourable, drizzle-friendly consistency.
9. Once the cake has cooled, elegantly drizzle the strawberry glaze across the entire surface, creating an appealing pattern.
10. Cut into squares and serve this delightful strawberry honeybun cake as a sweet treat.

Notes

• Opt for fresh, ripe strawberries in the jam to enhance the cake’s natural fruity flavor and create a more vibrant glaze.
• Sift the cake mix and powdered sugar to prevent lumps and ensure a smoother, more consistent texture in both batter and glaze.
• Gently fold ingredients to maintain air pockets, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Substitute dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and coconut oil for a vegan-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 315 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 270 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg