Decadent Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Looking for a dessert that’ll make everyone at your next potluck or family gathering smile? Sometimes the usual chocolate chip cookies or brownies just don’t cut it, especially when you want something that feels a bit more special. That’s where this strawberry earthquake cake comes in – and trust me, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

With its crackly top, gooey center, and fresh strawberry flavor throughout, this cake has become my go-to when I need something that’s both easy to throw together and guaranteed to get people asking for the recipe. Plus, it’s one of those desserts that doesn’t need to look perfect – the cracks and swirls are actually part of its charm!

What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?

Fresh strawberries are the way to go for this earthquake cake, but you’ll want to make sure they’re ripe and sweet since they’re a star player in the flavor profile. Look for berries that are bright red all the way through with no white or green patches near the stem, and avoid any that are mushy or have dark spots. If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen ones – just thaw and drain them well to remove excess moisture that could affect the cake’s texture. For the best results, give your strawberries a quick pat dry with paper towels before chopping them up, whether they’re fresh or previously frozen.

Options for Substitutions

This fun cake recipe can handle some creative swaps if you’re in a pinch:

• Strawberry cake mix: If you can’t find strawberry cake mix, use vanilla or white cake mix and add 1/2 cup pureed strawberries plus a few drops of pink food coloring to get that pretty pink color.
• Vegetable oil: You can swap the vegetable oil with melted coconut oil, canola oil, or even unsweetened applesauce (though the texture might be slightly different with applesauce).
• White chocolate chips: Feel free to use milk chocolate chips or even semi-sweet chocolate chips instead. You could also try butterscotch chips for a different but tasty twist.
• Fresh strawberries: When fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use thawed frozen strawberries – just make sure to drain them well. You can also try raspberries for a different berry flavor.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract works perfectly here, or try almond extract for a different flavor profile – just use half the amount as it’s stronger.
• Cream cheese: This is pretty essential for the recipe, but in a real pinch, you could use mascarpone cheese. The texture and taste will be a bit different, but still good!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making a strawberry earthquake cake is getting the cream cheese mixture right – make sure both your cream cheese and butter are properly softened to room temperature, or you’ll end up with lumpy swirls instead of smooth, creamy ones.

Fresh strawberries can release excess moisture during baking, so it’s crucial to pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the batter, and avoid the temptation to add extra berries as this can make your cake too wet.

Temperature control is key – if your oven runs hot, the white chocolate chips might burn before the cake is done, so keep an eye on them and consider tenting the cake with foil if the top browns too quickly.

For the signature “earthquake” effect, don’t overmix when adding the cream cheese mixture – gentle swirls with a knife or spatula are all you need, and remember to let the cake cool for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set properly.

What to Serve With Strawberry Earthquake Cake?

This rich, decadent strawberry cake is pretty filling on its own, but there are some great ways to make it even more special! A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the obvious choice (and it’s mentioned in the recipe), but you could also try serving it with fresh whipped cream and extra strawberries on the side. For a fun drink pairing, try serving it with a cold glass of milk, an iced coffee, or even a strawberry milkshake if you’re feeling extra indulgent. If you want to balance out all the sweetness, a cup of hot black coffee or espresso makes a nice contrast to the cake’s rich flavors.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This yummy strawberry earthquake cake stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days when kept in an airtight container. The cream cheese swirls and fresh strawberries make it best to keep it chilled rather than at room temperature.

Freeze: Want to save some for later? Cut the cake into portions, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just remember that the texture of the fresh strawberries might change a bit after freezing.

Serve Again: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. For the best taste, bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Add some fresh strawberries on top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it extra special!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	50-55 minutes
Total Time	65-75 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3500-4000
• Protein: 30-40 g
• Fat: 190-210 g
• Carbohydrates: 450-470 g

Ingredients

• 1 box strawberry-flavored cake mix (15.25 ounces)
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (109 g)
• 1 block cream cheese, softened (8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick / 113 g)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (312.5 g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup chopped strawberries (166 g, along with extra for topping)
• 2 cups white chocolate chips (364 g)
• Vanilla ice cream, to serve

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

While the oven is heating, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to ensure your cake doesn’t stick.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, combine your cake mix, eggs, water, and oil.

Mix these ingredients together until they are well combined, creating a smooth batter.

Pour the prepared cake batter into your greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth and creamy.

Once well combined, gently fold in the strawberries, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Combine and Swirl Toppings

Dollop the strawberry cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in the baking dish.

Use a knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture gently through the cake batter, creating a marbled effect.

This will incorporate the flavors throughout the cake.

Step 5: Top and Bake the Cake

Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly over the top of the swirled cake batter.

Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 50-55 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.

Garnish with diced strawberries for an extra fresh and vibrant look.

Serve the cake warm, paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.