When you think of cake, what comes to mind? Maybe something moist, fluffy, and perfect for any occasion. Now, imagine that same cake with a twist — bursting with sweet fresh strawberries, cake batter, and a creamy surprise in every bite.
This is where the strawberry earthquake cake comes in! It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and sure to impress anyone who tries it. Made with cake mix and a rich cream cheese mixture, it’s a dessert lover’s dream. Ready to get baking? Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this strawberry earthquake cake:
- Delicious Strawberry Flavor: The sweet, juicy fresh strawberries paired with a creamy cream cheese mixture make every bite special.
- Cracked “Earthquake” Look: The top cracks while baking, creating a cool “earthquake” effect that looks just as amazing as it tastes with the swirls of cake batter and creamy filling.
- Super Easy: This cake comes together quickly with simple ingredients like cake mix — perfect for beginners or anyone short on time.
- Totally Customizable: You can add your own twist, like chocolate chips, extra fresh strawberries, or other fruits to make it just how you like it.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family dinner or a special celebration, this strawberry cake works for any event.
- Moist and Flavorful: The cake batter bakes up soft and creamy, with that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and juicy strawberries.
- No Fancy Tools Needed: You don’t need any special equipment — just your basic kitchen tools, a box of cake mix, and a little love.
Recipe Overview
Let’s quickly run through the key points so you know what to expect from this recipe:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including prep and baking)
- Servings: 8-10 slices
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Dietary Information: This recipe isn’t gluten-free or vegan, but I’ll share tips if you want to make substitutions.
Ingredients for Strawberry Earthquake Cake
You probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen, but here’s the list:
- 1 box of strawberry cake mix (feel free to make homemade if you like!)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional but adds a nice touch)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional for crunch)
- A pinch of salt
These simple ingredients combine to create a moist, flavorful cake that’s hard to resist!
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to bake this cake:
- 9×13-inch baking dish or cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer (to mix the cream cheese filling)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board (for chopping the strawberries)
These are all things you probably already have, so no need to worry about fancy tools.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get baking! Here’s how to make the strawberry earthquake cake:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray so the cake doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, mix together the strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla extract. You can use a hand mixer or whisk to combine everything until smooth. The batter will be thick, but that’s totally fine.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and butter. This mixture should be smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a little splash of milk to loosen it up.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Pour half of the cake batter into your greased baking pan. Spread it out evenly. Then, spoon the cream cheese mixture on top of the batter in dollops (don’t worry about it being perfect). The filling will spread out as it bakes.
Next, pour the rest of the cake batter on top of the cream cheese. Again, spread it evenly. Finally, sprinkle the chopped strawberries (and coconut or nuts, if using) on top.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake should be golden brown on top, and a toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center. The cracked, uneven top is what gives the cake its “earthquake” look—so don’t worry, it’s supposed to look like that!
Step 6: Let It Cool and Serve
Once the cake is done, let it cool for about 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to cut.
Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Earthquake Cake
Here are some helpful tips to make sure your strawberry cake turns out perfect every time:
- Use fresh strawberries: Fresh strawberries give the best flavor, especially when they’re in season. If you’re using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw and drain them to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
- Cream cheese mixture is key: Don’t skip the cream cheese mixture filling — it’s the star of this cake! Make sure it’s softened so it mixes easily and gets smooth.
- Add extra flavor: For an extra flavor boost, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or a pinch of cinnamon to the cake batter. It gives the cake a little something special!
- Check for doneness: Ovens can vary, so start checking the cake around 40 minutes. If the top looks golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the cake batter, it’s ready.
Variations You Can Try
The best part about the strawberry earthquake cake is how easily it can be customized. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Add chocolate chips: Want to make it even richer? Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter. The chocolate and strawberry combo is amazing!
- Go gluten-free: If you need a gluten-free version, just swap the regular cake mix for a gluten-free one. Be sure to double-check the ingredients to make sure they’re all safe.
- Make it vegan: To make this cake vegan, you can replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) and use dairy-free cream cheese mixture and butter. Vegan cake mixes are also available.
- Try other fruits: If fresh strawberries aren’t your thing, you can swap them for raspberries, blueberries, or even blackberries. The recipe works just as well with other berries mixed into the cake batter!
Conclusion
And that’s it! You’ve now got the perfect strawberry earthquake cake recipe. It’s simple to make with a cake mix, bursting with flavor from fresh strawberries, and sure to wow anyone you serve it to.
The rich cream cheese mixture swirled into the cake batter makes every bite extra special. Whether you’re baking for a family dinner, a birthday party, or just a special treat for yourself, this cake is always a hit.
Remember, you can always make it your own by adding things like chocolate chips or experimenting with different fruits mixed into the batter. Have fun with it, and happy baking!
