Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable)

Moist strawberry cake with creamy cheese filling and white chocolate swirls creates this decadent, gooey dessert that's as fun to make as it is to serve.

# What You Need:

→ 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 Filling

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 cup fresh strawberries, diced
10 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until just combined. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat until fluffy and well combined.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the cake batter, leaving some spaces between dollops.
05 - Sprinkle the diced strawberries and white chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter and cream cheese mixture. Add shredded coconut if desired.
06 - Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture through the batter, creating a marbled pattern. Be careful not to overmix.
07 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set but the center remains slightly wobbly. The cake should be gooey in the center when done.
08 - Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between the tender strawberry cake and rich cream cheese ribbons creates the most incredible texture in every single bite
  • This dessert looks impressive coming out of the oven but requires almost zero technique to make it beautiful
  • White chocolate and strawberries were meant to be together, and the gooey center will make you want to eat it warm straight from the pan
02 -
  • The center will look underbaked when you remove it from the oven but this is exactly how it should be for that signature gooey texture
  • Room temperature cream cheese and butter are non negotiable because cold ingredients will not swirl properly into the batter
  • Do not over swirl your knife through the batter or you will lose those distinct cream cheese pockets that make this cake so special
03 -
  • Use full fat cream cheese because low fat versions will not give you that same luscious texture in the filling
  • If you want to intensify the strawberry flavor, add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the cream cheese mixture
  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal if you plan to serve this on a platter

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