Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to show you how to make a delicious strawberry honey bun cake from scratch. This cake is moist, fluffy, and bursting with strawberry flavor. It has a swirl of cinnamon sugar and pecans in the middle, and a pink strawberry glaze on top. It tastes like a giant honey bun, but with a fruity twist.
If you love honey buns and strawberries, you will love this cake. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. You can serve it warm or cold, with some whipped cream or ice cream if you like. It is easy to make, using simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, it looks so pretty and festive, with its pink hue and shiny glaze. It is sure to impress your family and friends.
What is a Honey Bun Cake?
A honey bun cake is a type of cake that is inspired by honey buns, which are fried yeast pastries that contain honey and cinnamon in the dough and are glazed with icing. Honey buns are popular snacks or breakfast items that are sold in convenience stores and vending machines. They are usually individually wrapped and can be eaten at any temperature.
A honey bun cake has the same flavor and texture as a honey bun, but it is baked in a cake pan instead of being fried. It starts with a yellow cake mix that is mixed with eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla. Then, half of the batter is poured into a greased 9×13-inch pan, and sprinkled with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. The remaining batter is spread over the sugar mixture, and the cake is baked until golden and done. After the cake comes out of the oven, it is poked with holes and drizzled with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.
Why Use a Cake Mix?
Using a cake mix for this recipe makes it easier and faster to prepare. You don’t have to measure out flour, baking powder, salt, or sugar. You just need to add some wet ingredients and mix well. The cake mix also ensures that the cake will come out moist and tender every time.
However, if you prefer to make your own cake batter from scratch, you can do that too. Just follow your favorite yellow cake recipe and use it instead of the cake mix. You will need about 4 cups of batter for this recipe.
How to Make Strawberry Honey Bun Cake
To make strawberry honey bun cake, you will need to modify the original honey bun cake recipe by adding some strawberry flavor to it. There are two ways to do this: using freeze-dried strawberries or using strawberry glaze.
Freeze-dried strawberries are strawberries that have been dehydrated and crushed into powder. They have a concentrated strawberry flavor and color, without any added sugar or preservatives. You can find them in the snack aisle or online. To use them for this recipe, you will need to add 1/4 cup of freeze-dried strawberry powder to the cake batter, along with 1/4 cup of water. You will also need to add 2 tablespoons of freeze-dried strawberry powder to the glaze.
Strawberry glaze is a thick syrup that is used for topping cakes or pies. It has a sweet strawberry flavor and a bright pink color. You can find it in the baking aisle or online. To use it for this recipe, you will need to add 1/4 cup of strawberry glaze to the cake batter, along with 1/4 cup of water. You will also need to use strawberry glaze instead of cream for the glaze.
Strawberry Honey Bun Cake Recipe
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Yellow cake mix | 1 box (15.25 ounces) |
| Eggs | 4 large |
| Vegetable oil | 2/3 cup |
| Sour cream | 8 ounces |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Brown sugar | 1/2 cup (packed) |
| Cinnamon | 1 teaspoon |
| Pecans (chopped) | 2/3 cup |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup (sifted) |
| Freeze-dried strawberries (powdered) or strawberry glaze | 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons |
| Water or cream | 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons |
Here are the steps to make strawberry honey bun cake:
- Preheat oven to 325°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of water or strawberry glaze until well combined.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.
- Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture over the batter.
- Pour the remaining batter over the sugar mixture and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the batter. Swirl the batter gently with a knife to create a marble effect.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of freeze-dried strawberry powder or strawberry glaze, and 2 tablespoons of water or cream in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over it with a fork or a skewer. Drizzle the glaze over the hot cake, making sure to cover it completely.
- Let the cake cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts and Benefits of Strawberry Honey Bun Cake
Strawberry honey bun cake is a delicious treat that can satisfy your sweet tooth and provide some nutritional benefits as well. Here are some facts and benefits of strawberry honey bun cake:
- One serving of strawberry honey bun cake (1/15 of the recipe) has about 336 calories, 19 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fiber.
- Strawberry honey bun cake is rich in vitamin A, which is important for vision, immunity, and skin health.
- Strawberry honey bun cake also contains calcium, iron, and potassium, which are essential minerals for bone health, blood production, and fluid balance.
- Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that can protect your cells from damage and boost your immune system.
- Strawberries also contain flavonoids, which are phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
- Honey is a natural sweetener that has antibacterial and antifungal effects. It can also help soothe sore throats and coughs.
- Cinnamon is a spice that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels.
- Pecans are a type of nut that are high in healthy fats, fiber, and protein. They can help lower cholesterol levels, improve digestion, and support brain health.
Frequently Asked Questions about Strawberry Honey Bun Cake
Can I use fresh or frozen strawberries instead of freeze-dried or glaze?
You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe, but you will need to chop them finely and drain them well before adding them to the batter. You will also need to reduce the amount of water or cream in the batter and glaze by half. Fresh or frozen strawberries will add more moisture to the cake, so you may need to bake it longer or adjust the oven temperature accordingly.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
You can make this cake ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw it, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours or microwave it for a few seconds until warm.
Can I make this cake in a different pan size or shape?
You can make this cake in a different pan size or shape, but you will need to adjust the baking time accordingly. For example, if you use a 9×9-inch square pan or an 8×8-inch square pan, you will need to bake.the cake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you use a bundt pan or a loaf pan, you will need to bake the cake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix or glaze?
You can use a different flavor of cake mix or glaze for this recipe, but you will need to adjust the amount of water or cream in the batter and glaze accordingly. For example, if you use a strawberry cake mix, you will need to reduce the amount of water or cream by half. If you use a lemon glaze, you will need to increase the amount of water or cream by half. You can also experiment with different combinations of flavors, such as chocolate cake mix and raspberry glaze, or vanilla cake mix and blueberry glaze.
Can I make this cake vegan or gluten-free?
You can make this cake vegan or gluten-free by using some substitutions. For vegan, you will need to use a vegan cake mix, egg replacer, vegan sour cream, and vegan butter. For gluten-free, you will need to use a gluten-free cake mix, gluten-free flour, and xanthan gum. You will also need to check the labels of the other ingredients to make sure they are vegan or gluten-free as well.
Can I add other ingredients to this cake?
You can add other ingredients to this cake to make it more interesting and delicious. For example, you can add some fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the batter for some extra fruitiness. You can also add some chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips to the batter for some extra sweetness. You can also sprinkle some shredded coconut, sliced almonds, or mini marshmallows over the glaze for some extra crunch and texture.
How do I store and reheat this cake?
You can store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat this cake, you can microwave it for a few seconds until warm, or bake it in a preheated oven at 300°F for 10 minutes until warm.
What can I serve with this cake?
You can serve this cake with some whipped cream or ice cream for some extra creaminess and richness. You can also serve it with some fresh strawberries or strawberry sauce for some extra fruitiness and color. You can also serve it with some coffee, tea, milk, or juice for some extra refreshment and hydration.
How do I cut and serve this cake?
You can cut this cake into any size or shape you like. You can use a knife or a spatula to cut it into squares, rectangles, triangles, or circles. You can also use a cookie cutter to cut it into hearts, stars, flowers, or animals. You can also use a fork or a spoon to scoop it out of the pan and serve it in bowls or cups.
How do I make this cake more healthy?
You can make this cake more healthy by using some healthier alternatives. For example, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for more fiber and nutrients. You can also use applesauce instead of oil for less fat and calories. You can also use low-fat sour cream instead of regular sour cream for less fat and calories. You can also use honey instead of sugar for more natural sweetness and antioxidants.
How do I make this cake more festive?
You can make this cake more festive by decorating it with some edible items. For example, you can use some sprinkles, candies, nuts, fruits, or flowers to make it more colorful and fun. You can also use some candles, ribbons, flags, or cards to make it more celebratory and personal. You can also use some themed items, such as Halloween pumpkins, Christmas trees, Easter eggs, or Valentine hearts to make it more seasonal and special.
Where did this cake originate from?
This cake originated from the Southern United States, where honey buns are popular snacks or breakfast items. It is believed that someone came up with the idea of making a honey bun-inspired cake using a yellow cake mix and adding some cinnamon sugar and pecans to create a swirl effect. The glaze was added later to make the cake more moist and sweet. The strawberry flavor was added later as well, to give the cake a fruity twist and a pink hue.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about how to make a delicious strawberry honey bun cake from scratch. This cake is moist, fluffy, and bursting with strawberry flavor. It has a swirl of cinnamon sugar and pecans in the middle, and a pink strawberry glaze on top. It tastes like a giant honey bun, but with a fruity twist. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. You can serve it warm or cold, with some whipped cream or ice cream if you like.
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