Description
Earthquake Cake is a decadent American dessert featuring a rich German chocolate cake base layered over toasted coconut and pecans, topped with swirls of sweetened cream cheese mixture and chocolate chips. This gooey, luscious cake is perfect for gatherings and serves as a comforting indulgence with a unique texture and burst of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Cake Batter
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
Cream Cheese Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Topping
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Make Layer Base: Evenly sprinkle the shredded coconut and chopped pecans over the bottom of the prepared pan to create a nutty and textured base layer.
- Prepare Cake Batter: Follow the package directions to prepare the German chocolate cake mix batter. Then pour this batter evenly over the layer of coconut and pecans in the pan.
- Mix Cream Cheese Topping: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Top the Cake Batter: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter without spreading it, creating pockets of sweet, creamy topping.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the cream cheese mixture for a final chocolatey accent.
- Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center remains slightly gooey, giving the cake its characteristic texture.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly if serving warm or let it cool completely for cleaner slices. Enjoy as is or with a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
- This cake has a gooey center, so don’t expect a traditional rise or crumb.
- Delicious served warm with ice cream for a comforting dessert experience.
- You can substitute walnuts for pecans if preferred.
- For a flavor twist, add butterscotch chips along with or instead of the chocolate chips.
