Strawberry Honeybun Cake with Strawberry Cream Icing (Print version)

A soft strawberry honeybun sheet cake with cinnamon brown sugar ribbons, juicy berries, and a pourable strawberry cream icing.

# Ingredients:

For the cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) vanilla or white cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1 cup (240 g) full-fat sour cream
04 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the strawberry cinnamon swirl

06 - 3/4 cup (150 g) packed light brown sugar
07 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1 1/4 cups (180 g) diced fresh strawberries
09 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the strawberry cream icing

10 - 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
11 - 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
12 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) smooth strawberry puree
13 - 1-2 tablespoons milk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla until smooth and glossy. Stop mixing once no dry streaks remain.
03 - Stir the brown sugar and cinnamon together. In another bowl, toss the diced strawberries with the flour so they stay suspended in the cake.
04 - Spread half the batter in the pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar, add the strawberries in an even layer, then cover with the remaining batter. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar over the top.
05 - Bake for 32-36 minutes, until the center springs back lightly and a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs.
06 - Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in powdered sugar, strawberry puree, 1 tablespoon milk, vanilla, and salt. Add more milk only if needed for a slow pour.
07 - Cool the cake in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Pour the strawberry cream icing over the warm cake, spread gently, and let it set before slicing.

# Good to know:

01 - Best sliced after the icing has set for at least 30 minutes.
02 - Use well-drained berries to keep the center from turning wet.
03 - Refrigerate leftovers because the icing contains cream cheese.

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