Earthquake Cake Recipe

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Rich, gooey, and downright irresistible—Earthquake Cake is the dessert that doesn’t play by the rules. With its craggy top and lava-like interior of chocolate, cream cheese, coconut, and pecans, every bite delivers a sweet explosion of flavors and textures. Unlike your standard cake, this one erupts with creamy pockets and crunchy surprises, living up to its name in every delicious way.

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, bringing a dish to a potluck, or simply craving something indulgent, Earthquake Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It starts with a humble box of cake mix and transforms into a decadent masterpiece that’s anything but ordinary. The layers of melty chocolate chips, rich cream cheese swirls, and toasted nuts make it a must-bake for chocolate lovers.

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What Kind of Cake Mix Should I Use?

A classic chocolate or German chocolate cake mix works beautifully in Earthquake Cake. The rich cocoa flavor is essential to balance the sweetness of the cream cheese and coconut. If you’re feeling adventurous, try devil’s food for an extra-deep chocolate bite. Just be sure to use a standard 15.25 oz box.

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Ingredients for the Earthquake Cake

Chocolate Cake Mix
The base of this cake starts with a simple boxed chocolate cake mix, providing a reliable and rich chocolate foundation that complements the creamy and nutty layers above it.

Cream Cheese
Softened cream cheese adds richness and creates that signature creamy lava-like texture. It’s swirled throughout the cake to surprise your taste buds.

Powdered Sugar
Blended with cream cheese, it sweetens the creamy swirls and balances the tanginess.

Butter
Melted butter adds lusciousness to the cream cheese mixture and helps create a gooey texture throughout the cake.

Sweetened Shredded Coconut
Sprinkled on the bottom layer, coconut gives each bite a chewy, tropical flair.

Pecans
Chopped and scattered, they add a nutty crunch and toasty richness that works so well with the gooey chocolate.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Melt into rich little pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout the cake.

Eggs
Used to prepare the boxed cake mix, giving it structure and rise while holding the gooeyness in place.

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How To Make the Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Sprinkle the shredded coconut evenly across the bottom of the dish, followed by a generous layer of chopped pecans. This forms the toasty base that gives the cake its unique character.

Step 2: Mix and Pour the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the package instructions (usually adding eggs, oil, and water). Stir until smooth, then pour the batter evenly over the coconut and pecans. Do not mix the layers.

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture

In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and melted butter until smooth and creamy. This mixture should be thick but pourable.

Step 4: Swirl in the Cream Cheese

Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture all over the top of the cake batter. Use a knife or spatula to gently swirl it through the batter—don’t overmix. This creates that signature “earthquake” look when it bakes.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Chips

Sprinkle a hearty handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips across the top for that melty finish. You can add a few extra pecans here if you’d like more crunch.

Step 6: Bake

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 to 45 minutes. The cake should look cracked on top and slightly jiggly in the center. Let it cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

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How to Serve and Store Earthquake Cake

Earthquake Cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature when the chocolate chips are still a little melty and the cream cheese swirls are irresistibly gooey. Slice it into squares and serve straight from the pan with a big spoon or offset spatula. It’s rich enough to stand alone, but you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to really take things over the top.

To store leftovers, cover the pan tightly with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also warm individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

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What to Serve With Earthquake Cake?

1. Fresh Berries

The tartness of strawberries or raspberries cuts through the richness of the cake beautifully.

2. Vanilla Ice Cream

A classic pairing—cold, creamy vanilla adds contrast to the warm, gooey cake.

3. Whipped Cream

Light and airy, whipped cream complements the dense texture of the cake.

4. Salted Caramel Drizzle

For extra decadence, drizzle a little salted caramel sauce over each slice.

5. Espresso or Strong Coffee

The boldness of coffee balances the cake’s sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes.

6. Toasted Marshmallows

If you’re feeling playful, add a few toasted mini marshmallows for a s’mores-inspired twist.

7. Greek Yogurt

A tangy scoop of plain Greek yogurt can offer a creamy yet slightly tart counterpoint.

8. Glass of Cold Milk

You can’t go wrong with a good ol’ glass of milk to wash it all down.

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Want More Cake Ideas with a Twist?

If you loved this Earthquake Cake, you’ll definitely want to check out more rich and indulgent treats from the SavorQueen kitchen:

• Chocolate Caramel Toffee Crunch Cake is loaded with gooey caramel and crunchy toffee bits.
• Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake brings fruity sweetness and creamy layers in every spoonful.
• Coconut Cream Cake is perfect for those who love a tropical twist in their desserts.
• German Chocolate Poke Cake gives classic German chocolate flavor a new gooey makeover.
• Pineapple Dump Cake is a sunny, fruity dessert that’s easy to make and hard to resist.

Save This Pin For Later

Save this delicious idea to your favorite Pinterest board so it’s easy to find when you’re ready to whip it up again.

Tried it with a twist? Maybe added caramel drizzle or swapped in walnuts? I’d love to hear how it turned out—drop your tips or questions in the comments below.

Need more inspiration? Explore my daily kitchen creations on SavorQueen Recipes on Pinterest. Your next favorite might be waiting there.

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