Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Print View)
Moist strawberry cake with cream cheese pockets, fresh berries, and white chocolate swirls
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 ounces) strawberry cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup water
→ Cream Cheese Filling
05 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Add-Ins & Toppings
09 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
10 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until just combined. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until creamy and fluffy.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture randomly over cake batter. Sprinkle diced strawberries and white chocolate chips evenly over top. Add shredded coconut if desired.
05 - Use a butter knife to gently swirl cream cheese mixture through batter for marbled effect. Avoid over-mixing.
06 - Bake for 40-45 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly wobbly. Do not overbake; cake should remain gooey inside.
07 - Cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The cream cheese sinks while baking creating these incredible molten pockets that taste like cheesecake met cake in the best way possible
- You use a box mix as your canvas but the white chocolate swirls and fresh strawberries make it taste completely homemade and impressive
02 -
- The center should still wobble when you remove it from the oven because residual heat finishes the cooking while it cools
- Room temperature ingredients blend better so take everything out an hour before you start baking
03 -
- Don't over-swirl the cream cheese mixture or you'll lose the distinct marbled effect that makes this cake so stunning
- Line your pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal and cleaner slices