Description
Strawberry Earthquake Cake is an easy-to-make, deliciously rich dessert featuring a moist white cake base swirled with creamy sweetened cream cheese, chopped strawberries, and white chocolate chips. Baked to perfection, this cake has a signature cracked, gooey top that resembles an ‘earthquake’ making it both visually appealing and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1 (16 oz) package frozen strawberries, thawed and chopped
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- Fresh strawberries for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, sour cream, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Spread Batter: Pour and spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish to create a uniform base layer.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add Cream Cheese Dollops: Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the cake batter to create swirls during baking.
- Top with Strawberries and Chocolate: Evenly scatter the chopped thawed strawberries and white chocolate chips over the entire surface of the batter and cream cheese dollops.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly gooey, forming the characteristic ‘earthquake’ cracked top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The cracked, uneven top is normal and adds to the cake’s unique appeal.
- For enhanced strawberry flavor, consider adding 1 tablespoon of strawberry gelatin powder to the cake batter.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
