Shake Your World with This Heavenly Earthquake Cake Recipe

Baking an earthquake cake brings unexpected deliciousness right to your kitchen counter.

Sweet layers crumble and shift like tectonic plates beneath a creamy surface.

Chocolate and coconut mingle in surprising ways during each delectable moment.

Nuts and cream cheese create rich textures that surprise even experienced bakers.

Kitchen experiments rarely turn out this magnificently unpredictable.

Chocolate lovers will find themselves captivated by the dramatic swirls and unexpected landscape of flavors.

You might want to gather ingredients and start mixing – something extraordinary awaits.

Earthquake Cake: Common Questions Answered

• What makes the cream cheese layer so smooth?

The key is beating the softened cream cheese with melted butter until creamy, then gradually adding powdered sugar while stirring continuously to create a glossy, lump-free mixture.

• Why scatter coconut and pecans at the bottom of the pan?

These ingredients create a delicious textural base that adds crunch, flavor, and a unique bottom layer that becomes a surprise when the cake is cut and served.

• How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid overbaking to maintain a moist texture.

Why Earthquake Cake Is a Showstopper

• Texture Triumph: Layers of coconut, pecans, and cream cheese create a delightful sensory experience with every single bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and celebrations where you want to impress without complicated techniques.
• Stress-Free Baking: Utilizes a cake mix base that simplifies the process, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Indulgent Flavor Fusion: Combines rich chocolate, creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and sweet coconut for a decadent treat that satisfies multiple taste preferences.

What You’ll Need for Earthquake Cake

• German Chocolate Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides rich chocolate flavor and ensures a moist cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the cake ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Water: Helps blend the cake mix ingredients smoothly.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, smooth layer that adds richness and depth to the dessert.
• Butter: Enhances the cream cheese mixture's flavor and provides a silky texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer and helps achieve a glossy, smooth consistency.

• Shredded Coconut, Chopped Pecans: Add delightful texture and nutty, tropical flavor to the cake.
• Chocolate Chips: Provide bursts of chocolate throughout the dessert, adding extra indulgence.

How to Make an Epic Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and give your 9×13-inch baking pan a generous massage with butter or cooking spray to keep everything from sticking.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cake Base

• German chocolate cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water

Whisk everything together until the batter looks smooth and silky with zero lumps.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Cheese Layer

Beat the softened cream cheese with melted butter until they become best friends – smooth and totally blended.

Step 4: Sweeten the Cream Cheese

Gradually fold in powdered sugar, stirring until the mixture becomes glossy and uniform.

Step 5: Build the Coconut Foundation

Spread shredded coconut across the bottom of the pan, creating a delicious base layer.

Step 6: Sprinkle Nutty Goodness

Scatter chopped pecans over the coconut, making sure they’re evenly distributed for maximum flavor.

Step 7: Pour the Cake Batter

Carefully drizzle the cake batter over the coconut and pecan layer, covering every inch without disturbing the bottom layers.

Step 8: Create Cream Cheese Swirls

Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture across the cake batter, creating a beautiful random pattern.

Step 9: Add Chocolate Confetti

Sprinkle chocolate chips all over the surface, letting them naturally nestle into the batter.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 11: Cool and Serve

Let the cake chill completely in the pan before slicing into squares, allowing all those amazing flavors to get cozy together.

Tips for Nailing Earthquake Cake Texture

• Prep Pan Perfectly: Use parchment paper alongside butter or cooking spray for effortless cake removal and clean cutting.
• Balance Coconut Distribution: Spread shredded coconut evenly to guarantee consistent texture and flavor in every slice.
• Check Cake Doneness Smartly: Insert toothpick at multiple points to ensure uniform baking, not just center testing.
• Manage Cream Cheese Swirling: Use gentle figure-eight motions when adding cream cheese mixture to create beautiful marbled patterns.
• Control Chocolate Chip Placement: Lightly fold chocolate chips into top layer to prevent sinking and maintain even chocolate distribution.

Unique Styles for Earthquake Cake Lovers

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace german chocolate cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select vegan chocolate chips.
• Nutless Adaptation: Remove pecans entirely or replace with sunflower seeds for crunch, maintaining the cake's texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia, and select sugar-free chocolate chips for a diabetic-friendly dessert.

Perfect Pairings for Earthquake Cake

• Brew Bold Coffee: Dark roast or espresso cuts through the cake's sweetness, enhancing the nutty and creamy flavors with its robust profile.
• Serve Creamy Milk: Cold whole milk or almond milk provides a smooth, refreshing contrast to the rich, dense dessert texture.
• Select Sweet Wine: Moscato or port wine echoes the cake's sweetness while adding elegant depth to the overall tasting experience.
• Match Dessert Cocktail: Creamy Irish cream liqueur mirrors the cake's decadent cream cheese layer, creating a harmonious flavor connection.

Store Earthquake Cake the Smart Way

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap individual cake squares in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining quality and taste.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap. Consume quickly to ensure optimal freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, place cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore its original warmth and soft texture.

Earthquake Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5-10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers will devour this sinful Earthquake Cake, a rich dessert combining gooey chocolate cake with cream cheese swirls and coconut crunch. German chocolate and cream cheese create a delightful mess you cannot resist devouring to the last delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box german chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

Cream Cheese Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the german chocolate cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Whisk the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
3. Create the cream cheese layer by beating the softened cream cheese with melted butter until well blended and creamy.
4. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and glossy.
5. Scatter the shredded coconut evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating the first layer of texture.
6. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the coconut, distributing them uniformly to ensure balanced flavor in each bite.
7. Carefully pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecan layer, ensuring complete coverage without disturbing the bottom ingredients.
8. Dollop the cream cheese mixture across the top of the cake batter in random spoonfuls, creating an uneven, swirled appearance.
9. Gently sprinkle chocolate chips over the entire surface, allowing them to naturally settle into the batter.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares, allowing the layers to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to intensify their nutty flavor and enhance the overall depth of the dessert.
• Replace regular chocolate chips with dark or white chocolate variations for unique flavor profiles and personalized touch.
• Consider using gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Reduce sugar content by substituting some powdered sugar with stevia or using a low-sugar cake mix option for a healthier alternative.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg