Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable version)

Gooey strawberry dessert with cheesecake swirls and fresh berries

# List of ingredients:

→ Cake Base

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 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
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.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter, leaving spaces between dollops.
05 - Scatter diced strawberries and white chocolate chips over the top. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired.
06 - Using a knife, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter to create a marbled effect. Do not overmix.
07 - Bake for 40-45 minutes until cake is mostly set but still slightly gooey in the center. The texture should remain molten.
08 - Cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between tangy cream cheese rivers and sweet strawberry cake hits every craving at once
  • It looks like you spent hours but the whole thing comes together in under twenty minutes
02 -
  • Removing the cake too early will leave you with a delicious mess instead of sliceable squares
  • The center continues cooking as it cools so pulling it out slightly underdone is actually perfect
03 -
  • Dollop strawberry jam over the cream cheese layer before swirling for extra berry intensity
  • Run your knife through the batter in just one direction for the prettiest marble pattern

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