Whenever I catch a whiff of sweet strawberries and soft cake , my mind drifts to grandma’s kitchen. It was all laughter and sticky fingers around that old wooden table . Strawberry Honeybun Cake feels like a warm hug on a plate . It’s simple enough for anyone to bake , yet fancy enough to wow your friends .
This cake turns up at birthday parties , summer barbecues , and holiday dinners . It’s famous for being easy to whip up and looking like you spent hours decorating it . No matter if you’re a baking pro or just starting out , you’ll end up with smiles when you slice into its fluffy layers and creamy icing .
In this write-up , we’ll show you step-by-step how to make your own Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing . We’ll point out traps to avoid , share handy tips , and answer the usual questions so your baking session goes smoothly . Let’s dig in and bake something unforgettable !

What is Strawberry Honeybun Cake?
Strawberry Honeybun Cake is а moist sponge that blends fresh-tasting strawberries with a hint of honey , then gets topped with rich strawberry cream icing . Most people start with a boxed strawberry cake mix , add eggs , oil , water , and a drizzle of honey for extra flavor . When it bakes , the kitchen smells like summer . The icing is made from cream cheese , sugar , and real strawberry puree to match the cake’s fruity notes .
This dessert started down south in the United States , where fruit cakes are a tradition . Over time , families passed the recipe around and tweaked it to their taste . Now you’ll see it at picnics , birthday tables , and church potlucks . Its pink layers and smooth icing make it a show-stopper wherever it appears .
In many places , folks serve it at outdoor gatherings where its light taste fits the warm weather . Cafes and bakeries picked it up too , and now you can find it as a grab-and-go treat . Whether it’s a laid-back get-together or a formal event , this cake always hits the spot .

Why Choose Strawberry Honeybun Cake?
One big reason is the flavor : sweet strawberries mixed with soft honey notes create a balanced taste that isn’t too heavy . The fluffy cake and smooth icing make every bite feel light , so people often go back for seconds .
Also , this cake works for any event . You can dress it up with fancy berries and mint for a wedding or keep it chill for movie night at home . It’s beginner-friendly too , so you don’t need tons of baking gear or experience .
The contrast in textures adds to the fun . The cake is tender and bounces back when you press it lightly , while the icing is creamy and cool . Together , they make eating it a memorable experience you’ll want to share with friends and family .
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Honeybun Cake
Main Ingredients
To make this cake , gather :
- 1 box of Strawberry Cake Mix
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup honey
Each item plays a role in texture and flavor , so don’t skip or swap things too much .
Strawberry Cream Icing Ingredients
For the icing , you’ll need :
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
This combo makes an icing that’s smooth , sweet , and full of strawberry taste .
Complete Recipe for Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing
Ingredients
- 1 box of Strawberry Cake Mix
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup honey
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven : to 350°F (175°C) .
- Prep pan : grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish .
- Mix cake batter : in a bowl , whisk together cake mix , eggs , oil , water , and honey until just combined .
- Bake : pour batter into pan and bake 30–35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean . Let cool completely .
- Make icing : beat cream cheese until smooth , then slowly add powdered sugar , strawberry puree , and vanilla extract . Mix until fluffy .
- Frost cake : spread icing over cool cake .
Tip : don’t ice while the cake is warm or the icing will slide off .
Advice for Perfecting Your Cake
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days . If slices seem dry , zap them in the microwave— just a few seconds restores moisture . Want more texture ? Stir in chopped nuts or fresh strawberries before baking .
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or a sprinkle of powdered sugar .
- Serve with iced tea , coffee , or a sweet dessert wine .
- Cut into big slices so everyone gets a good taste of the creamy icing .
Tips for Baking Success
Baking Essentials
- Mixing bowls
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Cooling rack
Remember to preheat your oven fully and measure ingredients exactly for best results .
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough . Check ingredient dates so nothing is stale . And always grease the pan well or you’ll end up with a stuck slice .
Variations of Strawberry Honeybun Cake
- Peach Honeybun Cake : swap strawberries for diced peaches .
- Blueberry Honeybun Cake : fold in fresh blueberries .
- Dietary swaps : use gluten-free mix or vegan cream cheese for special diets .
FAQs about Strawberry Honeybun Cake
Can I use fresh strawberries in the cake ?
Yes , dice them small and fold into the batter before baking . Just pat them dry so the batter isn’t too wet .
How long will the cake stay fresh ?
Up to 5 days in the fridge inside an airtight container .
Can I make this cake ahead of time ?
Sure , bake it the day before and frost just before serving .
What if my icing is too runny ?
Add more powdered sugar a little at a time until it firms up .
Can I freeze Strawberry Honeybun Cake ?
Yes , wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil , then freeze up to 3 months .
How do I adjust for different pan sizes ?
Smaller pans need less baking time ; larger pans need more . Check with a toothpick often .
Conclusion
Strawberry Honeybun Cake brings smiles and sweet memories to any table . Give this recipe a try and play around with your own twist . Drop a comment to tell us how yours turned out !

Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan
- 2 mixing bowls
- 1 electric mixer or whisk
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 rubber spatula
- 1 cooling rack
- 1 small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 4 tablespoons milk As needed for consistency
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Mix well until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the chopped strawberries with the sugar and cinnamon. Fold this strawberry mixture into the cake batter.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining half of the strawberry mixture over the first layer of batter. Then, pour the rest of the batter on top, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the strawberry cream icing by beating the softened butter in a mixing bowl until creamy.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, pureed strawberries, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the strawberry cream icing evenly over the top.
- Slice the cake into squares and serve.




