Name: Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-489053H6M47S
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box strawberry cake mix; 3 large eggs; 1/3 cup mild vegetable oil; 1 cup water; 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen strawberries; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chunks; 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional); 225 g full-fat cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·5.3 from 14 reviews

If you’ve got a sweet spot for all things gooey, fruity, and irresistible, let me introduce you to Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight. Picture layers of fluffy strawberry cake swirling with clouds of rich cream cheese, dotted with white chocolate, coconut, and bursts of juicy berries. It’s a show-stopping dessert that looks gorgeous in the pan, yet is fuss-free enough for a Tuesday night treat or a family gathering. This is the kind of dessert that’ll have everyone leaning in for seconds — and asking for the recipe before their forks even touch the plate.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the best part: making Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight is wonderfully straightforward, and every ingredient plays a starring role. Each component adds either color, creamy texture, or a layer of incredible flavor — so don’t skip a thing!

Strawberry cake mix: The easy shortcut for perfectly pink, light-as-air cake with sweet strawberry flavor.
Eggs: Add structure and richness, ensuring a tender crumb.
Mild vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist for days without overpowering the berry flavors.
Water: Binds everything together for a classic, fluffy cake texture.
Chopped fresh or frozen strawberries: Bursts of juicy, natural berry goodness layer in pops of color.
White chocolate chips or chunks: Sweet, creamy morsels that melt into pockets of deliciousness.
Sweetened shredded coconut: Adds chewy texture and subtle tropical notes that perfectly complement the berries.
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): A gentle crunch and nutty flavor for contrast, if you love a classic touch.
Full-fat cream cheese, softened: The foundation for that luscious cheesecake swirl, crucial for the “earthquake” effect.
Unsalted butter, softened: Enriches the cream cheese mixture for a creamy, dreamy finish.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves silky-smooth for sweetness throughout the cream cheese batter.
Pure vanilla extract: A splash of rich vanilla aroma, tying every flavor together in harmony.

How to Make Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight

Step 1: Get Your Pan Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grab a 23×33 cm (or 9×13 inch) baking dish and give it a generous coating of butter or nonstick spray—this is key to preventing your beautiful Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight from sticking later on. Prep now makes serving later a breeze!

Step 2: Mix the Strawberry Cake Batter

Empty your strawberry cake mix into a big mixing bowl. Following the box instructions, add the eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Blend it all together until the batter is smooth and no streaks remain—this is what will give your cake that classic fluffy lift. Once mixed, pour the batter into your greased baking dish, smoothing the top into an even layer with a spatula.

Step 3: Layer in the Goodies

Now for the fun part! Scatter your chopped strawberries evenly across the top of the cake batter. Next, sprinkle over the white chocolate chips and sweetened shredded coconut for extra sweetness and chew. If you’re adding nuts, toss those over too. These pockets of flavor will bake right into the cake, bringing all the playful “earthquake” craters you want.

Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter until velvety smooth. Gradually add in your powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract, mixing until everything is combined and spreadable. Don’t rush—creaming until smooth guarantees those dreamy cheesecake ripples in every bite.

Step 5: Marble and Swirl

Dollop spoonfuls of your cream cheese mixture over the cake batter, using about a tablespoon per dollop. Then, with a butter knife, gently swirl it through the batter in wavy S-shapes—you don’t want to fully mix it, just create a gorgeous marbled effect. This is when your Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight really starts to look like a masterpiece!

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Slide your assembled cake into the center of your preheated oven. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the edges turn golden, the top is set, and the center still has the tiniest jiggle. This ensures gooey pockets throughout! Let the cake cool in the pan before slicing—this little wait helps the layers set for perfect, picture-worthy squares.

How to Serve Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight

Garnishes

Take your Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight to new heights with a flourish of fresh strawberry slices, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of white chocolate. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a light grating of lemon zest will also bring out that summery brightness, letting each flavor sing.

Side Dishes

Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy contrast of hot and cold, or serve alongside a handful of ripe, mixed berries for a refreshing bite. If you’re feeling fancy, try it with a chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a mellow cup of herbal tea.

Creative Ways to Present

This beauty is stunning cut into tidy squares on a platter for parties, but individual ramekins or mason jars make for an adorable single-serve treat. Layer leftover pieces with extra berries and whipped cream in a trifle bowl, or transform cooled slices into ice cream sandwiches by sandwiching between shortbread cookies!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have any Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight remaining, store tightly covered in the fridge. Thanks to the cream cheese and fresh fruit, it’ll maintain its moisture and texture for up to four days, making those next-day treats just as delicious.

Freezing

For longer storage, wrap individual squares or the whole cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in an airtight container. Let slices thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Pro tip: freezing actually intensifies the berry flavor!

Reheating

Heat individual portions in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to restore that just-baked gooeyness, especially if you love the cream cheese layer warm. If reheating for a crowd, cover with foil and gently warm the tray in a low oven (about 150°C/300°F) for 10–15 minutes.

Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight Recipe

FAQs

Can I use other cake mix flavors besides strawberry?

Absolutely! While the signature pink comes from strawberry, you can experiment with white, vanilla, or even lemon cake mixes. Still, nothing beats the berry burst of Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight.

Do I have to use fresh strawberries, or can I use frozen?

Both work beautifully. Just be sure to chop them small, and if using frozen, sprinkle them over the batter straight from the freezer to prevent too much extra moisture.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Look for golden edges and a gently set top; the center should wobble slightly when shaken — a toothpick might not come out clean due to the gooey cream cheese layer, and that’s exactly what you want!

Can I make Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight nut-free?

Definitely. Simply leave out the nuts for a completely nut-free dessert that’s still bursting with texture and flavor. The coconut adds plenty of satisfying chew on its own.

Can I prepare this dessert in advance for a party?

Yes! Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight is even better after a few hours in the fridge, as the flavors meld and the texture sets. Just wait until serving to garnish for the prettiest presentation.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about sharing a dish as stunning and scrumptious as Strawberry Earthquake Cake Delight. With vibrant colors, gooey swirls, and a crowd-pleasing flavor, this is a bake that feels both homey and celebration-worthy. I can’t wait for you to treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice — I promise, this dessert will be the talk of your table!