Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable)
Decadent strawberry cake with creamy cheesecake swirls and fresh berries
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 15.25 oz strawberry cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup water
→ Cream Cheese Layer
05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Add-ins & Toppings
09 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
10 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Combine strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil, and water in a large bowl. Mix according to package directions until smooth. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
03 - Beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture evenly over cake batter. Scatter diced strawberries and white chocolate chips across the top. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if using.
05 - Run a knife gently through the layers to swirl cream cheese mixture into batter, creating a marbled pattern. Do not overmix.
06 - Bake for 40-45 minutes until cake is mostly set but still slightly gooey in center. The center should wiggle slightly when pan is gently shaken.
07 - Let cake cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of strawberry cake and creamy cheesecake swirls creates pockets of pure bliss in every bite
- Fresh strawberries and white chocolate chips make it feel fancy even though it starts with a box mix
02 -
- The center should still be slightly jiggly when you remove it from the oven because it continues cooking while cooling
- Over swirling will blend the layers too much and youll lose that beautiful marbled earthquake effect
03 -
- Add a few tablespoons of strawberry jam dotted over the cream cheese layer for extra strawberry intensity
- Use a light touch when swirling to maintain distinct pockets of cream cheese and cake batter