Earthquake Cake Recipe

A fun and easy chocolate cake recipe with the flavors of pecans, coconut and pockets of sweetened cream cheese. This family friendly sweet treat has craters and crevices that give it that unique name. For an over the top treat serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate earthquake cake, earthquake cake recipe, how to make eartquake cake, recipe for earthquake cake

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 345kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1½ cups chopped pecans
1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
1 box chocolate fudge cake mix
Large eggs, oil, and water according to cake mix package instructions
1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon canola oil or vegetable oil
½ tablespoon flour
½ cup unsalted butter
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese softened to room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a deep 9x13-inch pan with nonstick baking spray. Evenly sprinkle pecans and coconut in the bottom of the pan.
In a large bowl, mix the cake according to box instructions with egg, vegetable oil, and water. In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup chocolate chips with canola oil. Sprinkle with flour and stir to combine. Stir the chocolate chips into the cake mix and spoon it in the baking dish over the pecans and coconut.
Melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool slightly. Using a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth and lump free. Slowly add the melted butter and beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix until smooth. Dollop the cream cheese mixture by rounded tablespoons randomly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top.
Bake for 40 minutes or just until the chocolate cake portion is just set.

Notes

Use a deep 13x9 inch baking dish so that there is no overflow. The pan I use is 2 1/2 inches deep.
This fun cake looks like a hot mess, which is part of its charm. Do not worry too much about perfection with this cake.
The cake is done when the chocolate cake batter in the center appears set and springs back slightly when touched. This is usually around 40 minutes. The toothpick test will not work on this cake because of the gooey cream cheese sections.
This cake is over the top, served warm with or without vanilla ice cream, so plan accordingly if possible.

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