Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable Version)
Gooey strawberry cake swirled with cream cheese and topped with fresh berries and white chocolate.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup water
→ Cream Cheese Layer
05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Add-ins & Toppings
09 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
10 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix according to package directions until well blended. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface of the cake batter, spacing them across the pan.
05 - Scatter the diced strawberries and white chocolate chips over the top. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if using.
06 - Using a knife, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix—distinct swirls should remain visible.
07 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the cake is mostly set but still slightly gooey in the center. Do not overbake—an earthquake cake should retain a bit of molten texture.
08 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
# Quick Tips:
01 -
- Thegooey cream cheese swirls create pockets of pure indulgence in every bite
- Fresh strawberries keep it from feeling too heavy or sweet
02 -
- Overbaking ruins the magic, so pull it out when it still jiggles slightly
- The center continues setting as it cools, so dont panic if it looks underdone
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent lumpy cream cheese layers
- A sharp knife dipped in hot water makes the cleanest slices