Here’s a delightful recipe for Strawberry Earthquake Cake. This cake is named for its “cracked” appearance due to the way it bakes, with swirls and pockets of cream cheese and strawberries. It’s a fun and tasty dessert that’s sure to impress!
Strawberry Earthquake Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, typically water, oil, and eggs)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the Cake Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, prepare the strawberry cake mix according to the package instructions.
- Stir in the shredded coconut and chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Pour the strawberry cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the diced strawberries evenly over the top of the batter.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in dollops. Use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (note that some of the cream cheese filling may stick to the toothpick; this is normal).
- The top of the cake should look set and lightly browned.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- For an extra touch, you can drizzle some melted white chocolate or a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cooled cake.
- Feel free to experiment with other fruits, such as blueberries or raspberries, for different flavors.
Enjoy your Strawberry Earthquake Cake!
