If you love rich strawberry desserts with creamy swirls and melty chocolate, this Strawberry Earthquake Cake is about to become your new favorite. A soft strawberry cake base is layered with a luscious cream cheese mixture, swirled for that signature “earthquake” crack effect, and topped with white chocolate chips. As it bakes, the layers shift and crack (that’s the fun part!), creating pockets of creamy, strawberry-filled goodness in every bite. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear at parties, holidays, or family dinners.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 12
Ingredients List
- 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup (109 g) vegetable oil
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (166 g) diced strawberries (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 cups (364 g) white chocolate chips
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer
- Spatula
- Knife (for swirling)
- Measuring cups & spoons
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2️⃣ Make the Cake Base 🍓
In a medium bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, water, and oil until smooth.
Pour batter evenly into prepared baking dish.
3️⃣ Prepare Cream Cheese Layer
In a large bowl, beat together:
- Cream cheese
- Melted butter
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Gently fold in diced strawberries.
4️⃣ Swirl & Top ✨
Dollop cream cheese mixture over cake batter.
Use a knife to gently swirl — don’t overmix. You want visible ribbons.
Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly over top.
5️⃣ Bake 🔥
Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until center is set and edges are lightly golden.
The top will crack and shift — that’s the “earthquake” effect!
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy 🍨
Garnish with extra diced strawberries.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for maximum gooey goodness.
Pro Tips
- Don’t over-swirl — thick ribbons create better texture pockets.
- Slight jiggle in center is okay; it will set as it cools.
- Refrigerate leftovers and reheat slightly before serving.
- Add shredded coconut for a traditional earthquake cake twist.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 slice | 710 | 6g | 85g | 38g | 2g | 65g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary depending on brands and ingredient measurements. Please consult a nutrition professional for precise values.
Strawberry Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the strawberry cake batter according to package directions and pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, melted butter, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and swirl gently with a knife. Sprinkle white chocolate chips on top.
- Bake at 350°F for 50–55 minutes until edges are set but the center remains slightly gooey.
Nutrition
Notes
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Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Strawberry Earthquake Cake delivers bold strawberry flavor, creamy richness, and irresistible texture in every bite. It’s dramatic, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to make — the perfect show-stopping dessert.