The Magic of Earthquake Cake Recipe: A Swirly Sweet Treat

Decadent chocolate meets unexpected texture in this mouthwatering earthquake cake recipe that promises to shake up your dessert routine.

Every bite delivers a delightful surprise with rich layers of chocolatey goodness.

Swirls of cream cheese create dramatic cracks and fissures across the cake surface, mimicking a delicious geological event.

The combination of German chocolate cake mix and cream cheese frosting builds an irresistible flavor profile.

Chocolate lovers will appreciate the unexpected depth and complexity of this dessert.

Home bakers can easily master this simple yet stunning treat that looks as impressive as it tastes.

One slice will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.

Earthquake Cake That Lives Up to Its Name and Flavor

• Craft Spicy Complexity: Elevate your meal with a symphony of toasted cumin and coriander seeds, creating deep, aromatic layers that transform simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Pack your plate with protein-rich red lentils and vitamin-loaded carrots, delivering a wholesome meal that nourishes body and soul without compromising on incredible flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and consistency to suit personal preferences, making this soup a flexible recipe that welcomes creative tweaks and personal cooking style.
• Quick Weeknight Champion: Prepare a gourmet-style soup in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious, restaurant-quality meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients That Make Earthquake Cake So Irresistible

• Shredded Coconut: Adds texture and tropical sweetness to the cake base.
• Chocolate Chips: Provides rich chocolate pockets throughout the cake.
• Chopped Pecans: Offers a crunchy nutty element to the cake foundation.

• German Chocolate Cake Mix: The primary cake base with a rich chocolate flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps create a moist and tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Binds the cake mix and provides structure.
• Water: Helps hydrate the cake mix and create a smooth batter.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Creates a rich and creamy topping with a tangy flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the cream cheese mixture.

How to Bake Earthquake Cake Like a Pro

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and generously grease it up to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create a Crunchy Foundation

• Shredded coconut
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped pecans

Make sure they’re spread out evenly for maximum deliciousness.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cake Batter

• German chocolate cake mix
• Oil
• Eggs
• Water

Blend everything until the mixture looks smooth and dreamy.

Pour this luscious batter right over the coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans.

Step 4: Craft the Creamy Topping

• Butter
• Cream cheese

Once they’re completely melted, beat in powdered sugar until the mixture looks silky and irresistible.

Step 5: Create Magic with Swirls

Drizzle the cream cheese mixture across the cake batter. Use a knife to create beautiful swirling patterns throughout the cake.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. The cake is ready when it doesn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan.

This cake likes to stay a bit gooey, so don’t worry about the traditional toothpick test.

Tips to Make Your Earthquake Cake Stand Out

• Use fresh eggs and high-quality cream cheese for a richer, more decadent flavor in your Earthquake Cake.
• Carefully spread coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans across the pan's bottom to ensure every slice has a perfect balance of textures.
• When creating the cream cheese topping swirl, use light, slow movements to create beautiful marbling without overmixing.
• Watch the cake closely after 35 minutes, as ovens vary and you want a soft, gooey center without burning the edges.
• Cool the cake completely before covering, and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain its moist, delicious texture.

Fun Variations to Shake Up Your Earthquake Cake

• Gluten-Free Earthquake Cake: Replace German chocolate cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Chocolate Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, dairy-free cream cheese, and plant-based chocolate chips for a completely plant-based version.
• Nut-Free Option: Eliminate pecans and replace with sunflower seeds or skip nuts entirely, maintaining the cake's rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar with a sugar substitute, and choose dark chocolate chips with less sugar for a diabetic-friendly dessert.

Sides and Drinks to Enjoy with Earthquake Cake

Decadent Dessert Companions: Rich Flavor Enhancers

• Pair with Bourbon: Smooth Kentucky bourbon cuts through the cake's sweetness, balancing the rich chocolate and creamy topping with a warm, smooth finish.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, creamy vanilla ice cream provides a cool contrast to the warm, gooey cake, creating a perfect temperature and texture balance.
• Match with Dark Roast Coffee: Strong, bold coffee complements the chocolate's depth, enhancing the cake's complex flavor profile and providing a robust counterpoint.
• Garnish with Fresh Raspberries: Tart, bright raspberries add a fresh, tangy element that cuts through the cake's richness and provides a beautiful color contrast.

How to Keep Earthquake Cake Fresh and Delicious

• Store leftover Earthquake Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Remove from freezer and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a larger portion, use the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Earthquake Cake?

The cake originated in the Southern United States, known for its unique crackled appearance that resembles an earthquake’s surface when baked.

• Why won't the traditional toothpick test work for this cake?

Because Earthquake Cake is intentionally designed to have a gooey, slightly underbaked texture that makes a standard doneness test ineffective.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix instead of German chocolate?

Yes, you can substitute with other cake mix flavors like chocolate or vanilla, though the traditional recipe uses German chocolate for its rich flavor.

• What gives Earthquake Cake its signature cracked and swirled appearance?

The cream cheese topping is swirled into the cake batter before baking, creating the distinctive “earthquake-like” surface and uneven texture.

Earthquake Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Chocolate lovers will adore this sinful Earthquake Cake recipe, where rich German chocolate swirls meet creamy cheesecake layers. Crumbly cake, melted chocolate, and cream cheese create a delightful dessert you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 and 1/3 cups (320 milliliters) water

Dry Mix-Ins:

• 2/3 cup (55 grams) shredded coconut
• 2/3 cup (115 grams) chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped pecans

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (115 grams) butter
• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 pound (455 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create a textural foundation by evenly distributing shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans across the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Combine German chocolate cake mix with vegetable oil, eggs, and water in a large mixing bowl, whisking until the batter becomes smooth and uniform.
4. Gently pour the cake batter over the scattered coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans, ensuring an even coverage across the pan.
5. Melt butter and cream cheese together in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until fully combined and creamy.
6. Incorporate powdered sugar into the melted butter and cream cheese mixture, beating until the topping becomes silky and well-integrated.
7. Delicately drizzle the cream cheese mixture across the cake batter’s surface, then use a knife to create swirling patterns that marble the topping through the batter.
8. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, checking for doneness by gently shaking the pan – the cake should have a slight wobble but not appear liquid.

Notes

• Toast the pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, richer taste profile.
• Opt for room temperature cream cheese and butter to ensure smoother blending and prevent lumpy topping.
• Consider using reduced-fat cream cheese for a lighter version without compromising the cake’s decadent texture.
• Try different nut varieties like walnuts or almonds if pecans aren’t available or preferred.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 569
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg