Name: Earthquake Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 1 cup shredded (sweetened coconut); 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1 box German chocolate cake (plus ingredients to make cake according to box); 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened; 1 stick butter (1/2 cup); 2 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Looking for a dessert that’s full of surprises? Try my weird and wonderful Earthquake Cake. This decadent chocolate cake has a unique blend of flavors and textures that make every bite an unexpected treat. With crunchy pecans, sweet coconut flakes, and pockets of cream cheese running throughout the moist chocolate cake, this easy dessert is a fun cake for family gatherings, special occasions, or just a simple weeknight treat. It’s known as an earthquake cake because of the “cracked” appearance on top as it bakes, giving it a fun appearance!

Why You’ll Love This Dessert

Earthquake Cake is perfect for when you want a rich, flavorful dessert that feels special but doesn’t take hours to make. It combines a variety of textures and flavors in a way that’s both satisfying and unique. The mixture of moist chocolate cake, melty chocolate chips, and a sweet cream cheese swirl guarantees that every bite offers something a little different.

Pin this recipe for later!

This cake is also versatile — you can easily make adjustments with different flavors or toppings to suit your taste or the ingredients you have on hand. Plus, it’s made using a box of German chocolate cake mix, so it’s quick to put together.

Email This Recipe?

Get this recipe emailed to your inbox + all of our latest delivered straight to you!

How to Make Earthquake Cake

Making Earthquake Cake is quite simple. You’ll start by layering coconut flakes and pecans at the bottom of your baking dish, then adding a moist chocolate cake batter made from a box cake mix. After that, you’ll pour over a creamy, rich cream cheese mixture, sprinkle chocolate chips on top, and bake it all together until it’s set and bubbling with delicious flavors.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this fabulous cake.

Ingredients

Shredded Coconut: Adds a sweet, chewy texture to the bottom of the cake, giving it a tropical touch.
Chopped Pecans: Brings a nutty, crunchy element that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers.
German Chocolate Cake Mix: This box cake mix provides the perfect base for a moist, rich chocolate cake that’s easy to prepare.
Cream Cheese: The star of the cream cheese layer, giving the cake its signature creamy texture and flavor.
Butter: Used with cream cheese to create a rich, buttery mixture that adds depth to the dessert.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture, balancing the tanginess of the cream cheese with a smooth sweetness.
Milk Chocolate Chips: These melt into little pockets of chocolate goodness throughout the cake.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure easy cake removal later. Spread the chopped pecans and shredded coconut evenly across the bottom of the pan. These will become a delicious layer at the bottom of the cake.

Step Two: Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. If your box calls for vegetable oil, eggs, and water, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature to ensure the cake mixture is smooth and easy to work with. Pour the prepared chocolate cake batter over the coconut and pecans in your baking dish, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Step Three: In a small saucepan, melt the cream cheese and butter together over low heat, stirring continuously. Be careful not to let the mixture burn. Once it’s smooth, stir in the powdered sugar until fully combined. This will create a rich cream cheese mixture that will swirl into the chocolate cake batter.

Step Four: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in uneven dollops. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cream cheese layer into the cake, creating a marbled effect.

Step Five: Sprinkle the milk chocolate chips over the top of the cake mixture. These will melt as the cake bakes, adding more delicious pockets of chocolate to the finished cake.

Step Six: Place the cake pan in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set. You can check this by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.

Step Seven: Let the cake cool for a little bit before serving, or serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. Either way, this chocolate earthquake cake is sure to be a hit.

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is quite flexible, and there are a few substitutions and variations you can try if you want to mix things up:

Different Cake Mixes: You can swap out the German chocolate cake mix for other flavors like red velvet cake mix, devil’s food cake mix, or even strawberry cake mix for a fun twist.
Nut-Free Version: If you’re not a fan of nuts or have an allergy, you can simply omit the pecans. The cake will still be rich and flavorful without them.
Additional Chips: Instead of just milk chocolate chips, try adding semisweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for more flavor variety.
Coconut-Free Option: If you don’t like coconut, feel free to leave it out and just stick with the pecans or add more chocolate chips in its place.

Best Tips

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before melting them. This will help them melt evenly and blend smoothly with the powdered sugar.
Grease the Pan Well: This cake is sticky, especially on the bottom layer where the coconut and pecans sit. Use plenty of non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy removal.
Swirl the Cream Cheese Layer: When adding the cream cheese mixture, use a butter knife to gently swirl it through the cake batter. This creates the iconic cream cheese swirl throughout the cake.
Toothpick Test: Check the center of the cake with a toothpick before removing it from the oven. If it comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs, your cake is done.
Let the Cake Cool: For best results, let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing it. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut into individual slices.

How to Store Earthquake Cake

To store this cake, make sure it has cooled completely before covering it with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. Earthquake Cake will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, but for longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Be sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out. You can also freeze individual slices of cake wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Just thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Earthquake Cake in advance?

Yes, you can make this cake ahead of time. Once baked and cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is a great option for preparing ahead for special occasions.

How do I know when my Earthquake Cake is done baking?

To check if your cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. The top of the cake should have a cracked, “earthquake” appearance.

Can I freeze Earthquake Cake?

Yes! You can freeze the cake by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

What’s the best way to serve Earthquake Cake?

Earthquake Cake is delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However, it’s also great when served at room temperature. Either way, the combination of cream cheese filling and melty chocolate chips makes for a fabulous dessert.

Earthquake Cake is a fun and simple dessert that brings together all the best flavors—chocolate, cream cheese, coconut, and pecans. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or just for an easy dessert on a weeknight, this cake is sure to please. With simple ingredients like a box of German chocolate cake mix and cream cheese, you can have a delicious dessert ready with minimal effort. And with plenty of room for variations, Earthquake Cake is a recipe you’ll want to keep in your collection.

More Recipes

Ingredients

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 box German chocolate cake plus ingredients to make cake according to box
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter 1/2 cup
2 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
Grease a 9×13 inch pan. Spread pecans and coconut on the bottom of your pan.
Prepare cake mix batter according to directions on box. Pour over the coconut and pecans.
Melt the cream cheese and margarine in a small saucepan, over low heat, stirring continuously. Stir in powdered sugar. Pour over the cake batter. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the center of the cake is set. Serve warm with ice cream or cool completely.

Save This Recipe?

Enter your email and we’ll send it straight to you + get all our latest recipes.

Nutrition

Nutrition values are estimates, sourced from an online nutrition calculator. This information should never be considered a substitute for medical advice. Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Course: Desserts

Keyword: cake, desserts, earthquake cake