To start off, if this isn't allowed, I'm sorry mods. I read through everything before posting and I think it's fine, but figured I'd add the disclaimer just in case.

Also, I'm not sure if this is the right flair or if it should've been general baking discussion. To preface, I didn't make or buy this cake. My coworker brought it in for everyone to enjoy and as a hobby baker, I've got questions. I've included a photo of the nutrition label in case that helps answer the question.

There is this thick pink syrupy-looking liquid dripping off the strawberries. My coworker suggested strawberry compote, but it's not the right color or texture for that in my experience. Is it like a simple syrup dyed pink just to make it look prettier? What's the point of it?

Additionally, I thought the icing was gonna be a whipped cream dyed pink, but it has a very artificial strawberry flavor and it's texture is all wrong. It's not meringue, but it has more structure to it than plain whipped cream. What is it most likely? My guess was whipped cream with a bag of strawberry jello mix added, but when I baked it was only bread and some pastries, never cakes so I don't know all the tricks.

I think my coworker picked it up from fred meyers if that helps anyone narrow down an answer.

trying to figure out how a mystery cake was made