Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable)

Gooey strawberry cake with cheesecake swirls, fresh berries, and white chocolate chips in a marbled, molten dessert.

# 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 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 (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, combine strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Beat until smooth, then pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter, spacing them across the entire surface.
05 - Scatter diced strawberries and white chocolate chips over the top. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if using.
06 - Using a knife, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter to create a marbled effect. Avoid over-mixing.
07 - Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the cake is mostly set but still slightly gooey in the center. The cake should remain a bit molten.
08 - Let cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Best served slightly warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The gooey cheesecake pockets and tender strawberry crumb feel like having two desserts in one bite
  • It looks fancy and impressive but practically makes itself while the oven does all the dramatic work
02 -
  • Overbaking is the enemy here that slightly underdone center is exactly what makes this cake feel like a decadent indulgence
  • Room temperature cream cheese and butter blend smoothly and prevent those frustrating lumps that never quite disappear
03 -
  • Resist the urge to overmix when swirling a few gentle passes with the knife creates better definition than aggressive folding
  • Use a light-colored pan to prevent the edges from overbaking before the center has time to set properly

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