A Strawberry Earthquake Cake is a deliciously fun and gooey dessert that’s a twist on the classic earthquake cake, known for its irresistible layers of cream cheese, chocolate, and cake. This version incorporates the sweet, tangy flavors of strawberries and a rich, creamy filling, making it a great choice for summer gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving a decadent treat.Here’s a recipe to make this Strawberry Earthquake Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box of strawberry cake mix (or any strawberry-flavored cake mix)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Swirl:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped (or you can use strawberry preserves)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries)
For Garnish (optional):
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Fresh strawberry slices
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the cake batter:
- In a large bowl, prepare the strawberry cake mix according to the package instructions (usually adding eggs, oil, and water).
- Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Make the cream cheese filling:
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
4. Prepare the strawberry swirl:
- If using fresh strawberries, chop them into small pieces and toss them with 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional, if they need a little sweetness).
- If using strawberry preserves, simply warm them slightly in a microwave or stovetop to make them easier to swirl.
5. Assemble the cake:
- Pour the prepared strawberry cake batter into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese filling randomly over the cake batter. You don’t need to spread it out; it will naturally spread and create a “swirl” effect as it bakes.
- Add spoonfuls of the strawberry mixture or preserves over the top of the cream cheese filling. Use a butter knife or toothpick to gently swirl everything together to create a marbled effect.
6. Bake the cake:
- Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with a little moist crumb from the cream cheese filling).
- The cake will likely have a gooey, “earthquake” effect where the cream cheese filling and strawberries swirl together to create cracks or dips in the surface.
7. Cool and serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberry slices if desired.
Tips:
- Strawberry Variations: If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use frozen strawberries (thawed and drained) or even strawberry jam/preserves.
- Extra Gooey: For an even gooier cake, you can swirl in some strawberry or chocolate syrup after baking.
- Toppings: A drizzle of chocolate or caramel syrup would also complement this cake wonderfully.
Enjoy!
This Strawberry Earthquake Cake is sweet, tangy, and creamy, with that irresistible gooey filling that everyone loves. It’s a showstopper of a dessert that’s sure to impress. Would you make any changes to the recipe or add your own twist to it?
