Strawberry Earthquake Cake
Indulge in layers of moist cake, gooey cream cheese, and fresh strawberries with every bite! The Strawberry Earthquake Cake is a show-stopping dessert that’s rich, fruity, and absolutely irresistible — perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries chopped
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Glaze or Topping:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 –2 tablespoons milk
- Extra sliced strawberries for garnish
Substitutions
- Use Greek yogurt instead of some butter for a lighter cake.
- Frozen strawberries are fine—thaw and drain slightly to reduce extra liquid.
- For dairy-free use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives.
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until just combined. Fold in strawberries gently.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
- Beat cream cheese with sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Layer the Cake
- Pour half of the strawberry cake batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of half the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Swirl lightly with a knife. Repeat with remaining batter and cream cheese.
5. Bake
- Bake 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (some moist crumbs from cream cheese are fine). Let cool for at least 20 minutes.
6. Optional Glaze & Serve
- Mix powdered sugar with milk to make a drizzleable glaze. Drizzle over cooled cake and top with extra strawberries if desired. Slice into squares and enjoy.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Cake Mix: Use a strawberry cake mix for bold flavor, or white cake mix with 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries for a natural twist.
- Cream Cheese Layer: Ensure cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to achieve a smooth, creamy swirl.
- Strawberry Boost: Add ½ cup strawberry preserves or pie filling over the batter for extra moisture and sweetness.
- Coconut Option: Sweetened shredded coconut adds texture, but it can be reduced or omitted if preferred.
- Baking Tip: Do not overbake—center should be slightly soft for the classic “earthquake” gooey texture.
- Serving Idea: Best served slightly warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze individual slices up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge.