Strawberry Earthquake Cake is a delightful dessert that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also brings a sense of nostalgia to the table. This unique cake, with its rich layers and unexpected flavors, has become a favorite in many households, especially during the warmer months when strawberries are at their peak. The name itself evokes curiosity, and once you take a bite, you’ll understand why it’s called an “earthquake” cake—its gooey, cream cheese-filled center creates a delightful eruption of flavor that leaves everyone wanting more.

Originating from the Southern United States, this cake has a rich history tied to family gatherings and celebrations. People love Strawberry Earthquake Cake for its perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, combined with a moist texture that melts in your mouth. It’s not just a treat; it’s a conversation starter, a centerpiece for any occasion, and a comforting reminder of home. Whether you’re serving it at a picnic or enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, this cake is sure to impress and satisfy. Join me as we dive into the recipe and create this unforgettable dessert together!

Ingredients:

1 box of chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 cup of powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped
1 cup of shredded coconut (optional)
1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Preparing the Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is an important step to ensure that your cake bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. I like to use a whisk for this part, as it helps to break up any lumps in the cake mix and ensures everything is well combined.
Mix the ingredients on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy. You can also use a hand mixer if you prefer. Just make sure not to overmix, as this can lead to a denser cake.
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. This will create a delicious cream cheese filling that will be swirled into the cake.
Add the vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and mix until fully incorporated. The vanilla adds a lovely flavor that complements the chocolate and strawberries.

Preparing the Strawberries

Wash and chop the fresh strawberries into small pieces. I usually remove the green tops and cut them into quarters or smaller, depending on how chunky I want the strawberry pieces to be in the cake.
If you’re using coconut and nuts, chop the pecans or walnuts into smaller pieces. This will help distribute them evenly throughout the cake.
In a small bowl, toss the chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of flour. This helps to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.

Assembling the Cake

Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This will help the cake to release easily once it’s baked.
Pour half of the chocolate cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. This layer will serve as the base for your earthquake cake.
Next, spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate batter. You can use a spoon or a spatula to spread it out a bit, but don’t worry about making it perfect; it will swirl together as it bakes.
Sprinkle the chopped strawberries evenly over the cream cheese layer. If you’re using coconut and nuts, sprinkle those on top as well. This adds texture and flavor to the cake.
Pour the remaining chocolate cake batter over the top, covering the strawberries and cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula to gently spread it out, but again, don’t worry about making it perfect.

Cooking Process

Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. I recommend checking the cake at the 40-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done!
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the cake to set and makes it easier to cut.
After it has cooled slightly, you can use a knife to gently loosen the edges of the cake from the pan. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. If you prefer, you can leave it in the pan and serve it directly from there.

Serving the Cake

Once the cake is completely cool, you can dust the top with powdered sugar for a lovely presentation. This adds a nice touch and makes it look extra special.
Cut the cake into squares and serve
Conclusion:
In summary, the Strawberry Earthquake Cake is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to impress their friends and family with a delightful dessert that combines rich flavors and a stunning presentation. The unique combination of moist cake, creamy cream cheese filling, and the burst of fresh strawberries creates a flavor explosion that is simply irresistible. Plus, the “earthquake” effect adds a fun twist that will have everyone talking! For serving suggestions, I recommend pairing this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the flavors even further. You can also experiment with variations by adding different fruits like blueberries or raspberries, or even incorporating a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent treat. I truly encourage you to give this Strawberry Earthquake Cake a try! I promise you won’t be disappointed. Once you’ve made it, I’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, any tweaks you made, or even a photo of your creation! Let’s spread the joy of baking together and make this delicious recipe a staple in our dessert repertoire. Happy baking! Print
Strawberry Earthquake Cake: A Deliciously Unique Dessert Recipe
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
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Description

Enjoy a decadent Chocolate Strawberry Earthquake Cake with a rich chocolate base, creamy cheesecake swirls, and fresh strawberries. This delightful dessert is perfect for any occasion, combining the irresistible flavors of chocolate, cream cheese, and strawberries in every bite.
Ingredients

Scale
1 box of chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 cup of powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped

1 cup of shredded coconut (optional)

1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions

### Chocolate Strawberry Earthquake Cake

#### Recipe Description
Indulge in this delightful Chocolate Strawberry Earthquake Cake, featuring a rich chocolate base swirled with creamy cheesecake and topped with fresh strawberries. Perfect for any occasion, this cake is a crowd-pleaser that combines the flavors of chocolate, cream cheese, and strawberries in every bite.

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### Full Ingredients
– **1 box of chocolate cake mix** (15.25 oz)
– **1 cup of water**
– **1/2 cup of vegetable oil**
– **3 large eggs**
– **1 cup of powdered sugar**
– **8 oz cream cheese, softened**
– **1 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped**
– **1 cup of shredded coconut** (optional)
– **1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts** (optional)
– **1/2 cup of chocolate chips** (optional)
– **1 teaspoon of vanilla extract**

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### Full Instructions

#### Preparing the Batter
1. **Preheat your oven** to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, **combine the chocolate cake mix**, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. **Whisk until well combined**.
3. **Mix on medium speed** for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy.
4. In a separate bowl, **beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar** until smooth.
5. Add the **vanilla extract** to the cream cheese mixture and mix until fully incorporated.

#### Preparing the Strawberries
1. **Wash and chop** the fresh strawberries into small pieces.
2. If using coconut and nuts, **chop the pecans or walnuts** into smaller pieces.
3. In a small bowl, **toss the chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of flour** to prevent sinking.

#### Assembling the Cake
1. **Grease and flour** a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Pour **half of the chocolate cake batter** into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
3. **Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture** over the chocolate batter.
4. **Sprinkle the chopped strawberries** evenly over the cream cheese layer, along with coconut and nuts if using.
5. Pour the **remaining chocolate cake batter** over the top, covering the strawberries and cream cheese mixture.

#### Cooking Process
1. **Bake in the preheated oven** for 40-45 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
2. Once baked, **let the cake cool in the pan** for about 10-15 minutes.
3. **Gently loosen the edges** of the cake from the pan and **invert onto a wire rack** to cool completely.

#### Serving the Cake
1. **Dust the top with powdered sugar** for presentation.
2. **Cut the cake into squares** and serve.

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### Notes
– Feel free to customize the cake by adding chocolate chips, coconut, or nuts based on your preference.
– This cake can be served warm or at room temperature and is perfect for gatherings or special occasions.

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### Prep Time
– **20 minutes**

### Cook Time
– **40-45 minutes**

### Total Time
– **1 hour 5 minutes**

### Yield
– **12 servings**
Notes
Feel free to customize the cake by adding chocolate chips, coconut, or nuts based on your preference.

This cake can be served warm or at room temperature and is perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
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