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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Create the cream cheese layer by beating the softened cream cheese with melted butter until well blended and creamy.
- Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until the mixture becomes uniformly smooth and glossy.
- Scatter the shredded coconut evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating the first layer of texture.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the coconut, distributing them uniformly to ensure balanced flavor in each bite.
- Carefully pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecan layer, ensuring complete coverage without disturbing the bottom ingredients.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture across the top of the cake batter in random spoonfuls, creating an uneven, swirled appearance.
- Gently sprinkle chocolate chips over the entire surface, allowing them to naturally settle into the batter.
- 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.
- 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