This strawberry earthquake cake features vibrant pink swirls, white chocolate chips, and fresh strawberries, offering a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. The creamy cheesecake filling and moist cake base make it the perfect dessert for any occasion.
1 Box (15.25 ounces) Strawberry Cake Mix: The star of this recipe, strawberry cake mix, provides the vibrant base flavor and color. Its sweet, fruity profile forms the foundation for this decadent dessert.
3 Large Eggs, Room Temperature: Eggs serve as the binding agent, giving the cake structure while adding richness. Room temperature eggs blend more seamlessly into the batter, ensuring a smooth and even texture.
1 Cup Water: Water hydrates the cake mix, activating the ingredients and bringing the batter together.
½ Cup (109 g) Vegetable Oil: Vegetable oil contributes to the moist and tender crumb of the cake. Its neutral flavor allows the strawberry and cream cheese to shine.
1 Package (8 Ounces) Cream Cheese, Softened: The softened cream cheese creates the creamy, tangy filling that’s swirled into the cake. It contrasts beautifully with the sweet strawberry flavor.
½ Cup (1 Stick / 113 g) Unsalted Butter, Melted: Melted butter adds richness to the cream cheese filling, ensuring a velvety consistency. Unsalted butter provides control over the salt levels, keeping the flavors balanced.
2 ½ Cups (312.5 g) Confectioners’ Sugar: Confectioners’ sugar sweetens the cream cheese mixture while maintaining a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm and aromatic note that ties all the ingredients together.
¼ Teaspoon Kosher Salt: A pinch of kosher salt amplifies the sweetness and balances the richness of the cake, ensuring the flavors don’t become overpowering.
1 Cup (166 g) Diced Strawberries, Plus Extra for Garnish: Freshly diced strawberries add bursts of juicy, fruity flavor throughout the cake. Garnishing with additional strawberries not only elevates the presentation but also enhances the taste.
2 Cups (364 g) White Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips melt into the batter during baking, creating luscious pockets of sweetness that complement the tangy cream cheese and fruity strawberry flavors.
Vanilla Ice Cream, for Serving: Serving this cake with vanilla ice cream takes it to another level. The cool, creamy ice cream contrasts the warm, gooey cake, making every bite an indulgent experience.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it generously with cooking spray. This ensures the cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly every time.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend the ingredients until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Once combined, pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a level surface.
In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Beat until the mixture is silky, smooth, and well incorporated. The result should be a creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy filling that will swirl beautifully into the cake batter.
Gently fold in the diced strawberries to the cream cheese mixture. This step adds bursts of fresh, juicy flavor to the cream cheese layer and enhances the overall fruity profile of the cake.
Dollop generous spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in the pan. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter. Don’t overmix—leave visible swirls to achieve the signature earthquake effect once baked.
Sprinkle the white chocolate chips evenly across the top of the swirled batter. The chips will melt into sweet pockets of creamy goodness during baking. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out clean.
Once the cake is baked, let it cool for a few minutes before garnishing. Sprinkle diced strawberries over the top for added freshness and a pop of color. For the ultimate indulgence, serve the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The combination of warm cake, melty white chocolate, and creamy ice cream is pure perfection.
By following these simple steps, you’ll create a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress everyone at the table. Enjoy every bite of your Strawberry Earthquake Cake! 🍓
Find it online: https://yummycookin.com/strawberry-earthquake-cake-recipe/