Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printer-friendly)

Swirled strawberry cake with cream cheese filling and white chocolate chips creates this irresistibly messy dessert.

# What you'll need:

→ For the Cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup water

→ Cream Cheese Filling

05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins & Topping

09 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
12 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, combine strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until well blended and smooth. Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Continue beating until fully combined and fluffy.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the surface of the cake batter.
05 - Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture through the cake batter, creating a marbled pattern. Be careful not to overmix.
06 - Sprinkle white chocolate chips, chopped strawberries, coconut, and nuts evenly over the top of the swirled mixture.
07 - Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is set. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
08 - Let cake cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cream cheese swirl creates these rich, tangy pockets that balance the sweet strawberry cake perfectly
  • It looks impressive but comes together with minimal fuss and no fancy techniques required
  • The combination of warm white chocolate and fresh strawberries is somehow greater than the sum of its parts
02 -
  • Underbaking slightly is better than overbaking since the cake continues cooking in the hot pan and you want those cream cheese swirls to stay luscious
  • The cake will look quite jiggly when you first pull it out but that is completely normal and exactly what gives it that irresistible texture
  • Room temperature ingredients for the cream cheese mixture prevent lumps and ensure smooth, even swirling
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water between swirls for the cleanest marbled pattern
  • Chop your strawberries into small, even pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the topping

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