If you love the sweet, cinnamon-swirled goodness of a classic honeybun cake and the fruity, moist richness of strawberry cake, then this Strawberry Honeybun Cake is the best of both worlds! Topped with a creamy strawberry glaze, this cake is soft, rich, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime sweet treat, this cake is easy to make using a cake mix base with a homemade twist!
Let’s get baking! 🍓✨
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Super Moist & Tender: Thanks to sour cream and whole milk.
✔️ Easy to Make: A boxed cake mix with homemade flair!
✔️ Cinnamon-Swirled Goodness: Like a honeybun cake, but with strawberry flavor!
✔️ Strawberry Cream Icing: Sweet, creamy, and the perfect finishing touch!
What Does It Taste Like? 🤤
This cake is soft, moist, and full of rich strawberry flavor, with a sweet cinnamon-sugar swirl that adds a warm, honeybun-like taste. The strawberry cream icing is smooth, slightly tangy, and perfectly sweet, complementing the cake beautifully.
It’s like a strawberry shortcake meets a honeybun! 🍓🎂
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 1 box strawberry cake mix 🍓
- ½ cup vegetable oil 🛢️
- 3 large eggs 🥚
- 1 cup sour cream 🥛 (makes it extra moist)
- ½ cup whole milk 🥛
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌿
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ½ cup brown sugar 🍬
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon 🍂
For the Strawberry Cream Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar 🍚
- ¼ cup heavy cream or milk 🥛
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 🌿
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves or fresh strawberry puree 🍓
Tools You’ll Need
✔️ Mixing bowls
✔️ Whisk or electric mixer
✔️ 9×13-inch baking dish
✔️ Spatula
✔️ Toothpick (for testing doneness)
How to Make Strawberry Honeybun Cake
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
1️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Swirl
1️⃣ In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
2️⃣ Pour half of the cake batter into the greased baking dish.
3️⃣ Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
4️⃣ Pour the remaining cake batter over the top and spread evenly.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes before adding the icing.
Step 5: Make the Strawberry Cream Icing
1️⃣ In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), vanilla extract, and strawberry preserves or puree.
2️⃣ Stir until smooth and slightly thick. Add more cream if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
Step 6: Glaze & Serve
1️⃣ Drizzle the strawberry icing over the warm cake.
2️⃣ Let it set for 5 minutes, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy every strawberry-cinnamon bite! 🍓🍰✨
What to Serve with Strawberry Honeybun Cake
🍓 Fresh Strawberries – A fresh, juicy topping.
🍦 Vanilla Ice Cream – Pairs beautifully with the warm cake.
☕ Hot Coffee or Tea – A perfect breakfast or dessert pairing!
🥛 Cold Glass of Milk – A classic, comforting combo.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Honeybun Cake
✔️ Use Full-Fat Sour Cream & Whole Milk: For maximum moisture and richness.
✔️ Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined to keep the cake fluffy.
✔️ Let the Cake Cool Slightly Before Icing: This helps the icing spread without melting too much.
✔️ Make It Extra Moist: Add ¼ cup melted butter to the batter for even more richness.
✔️ For a Stronger Strawberry Flavor: Stir in ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries to the batter.
Variations & Fun Twists
🍋 Strawberry Lemon Honeybun Cake: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the batter for a citrusy kick.
🫐 Berry Mix Version: Add blueberries or raspberries for extra fruitiness.
🎂 Layer Cake Style: Bake in two 9-inch round cake pans and stack with extra strawberry icing.
🥜 PB&J Honeybun Cake: Swirl melted peanut butter into the batter for a PB&J twist!
How to Store & Reheat
❄️ Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🔥 Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
🧊 Freeze: Freeze slices wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use homemade strawberry cake instead of a mix?
Yes! Use your favorite from-scratch strawberry cake recipe if preferred.
2. What’s the best way to make a strawberry glaze without preserves?
Blend ½ cup fresh strawberries with 1 tablespoon sugar, then strain and use instead.
3. Can I make this without the cinnamon swirl?
Absolutely! The cake will still be deliciously moist and flavorful.
4. What if I don’t have heavy cream for the icing?
Use whole milk or even half-and-half as a substitute.
5. Can I make this in a bundt pan?
Yes! Just adjust the baking time to 45-50 minutes.
Wrapping It Up 🍓🍰✨
This Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing is the perfect combination of sweet, fruity, and cinnamon-spiced flavors. Whether you’re making it for breakfast, a holiday brunch, or just a sweet treat, this cake is easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit!
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your photos and tag me on Pinterest or Instagram—I can’t wait to see your beautiful cakes! 😍✨
More Delicious Cakes to Try:
🍌 Banana Pudding Poke Cake
🫐 Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
🍫 Chocolate Chip Honeybun Cake
Happy baking, and enjoy every strawberry-filled bite! 😊🍓🎂✨