Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable)

Moist strawberry cake with cream cheese filling and white chocolate swirls

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup water

→ Cream Cheese Filling

05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins & Toppings

09 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
10 - 1 cup white chocolate chips
11 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until just combined. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until creamy and fluffy.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture randomly over cake batter. Sprinkle diced strawberries and white chocolate chips evenly over top. Add shredded coconut if using.
05 - Use a butter knife to gently swirl cream cheese mixture through batter for a marbled effect. Do not overmix.
06 - Bake for 40-45 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly wobbly. Do not overbake; the cake should remain gooey inside.
07 - Cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Cake is best served slightly warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between the tender strawberry cake and rich cream cheese pockets creates the most incredible texture in every single bite
  • White chocolate melts into little pools of sweetness that balance the bright fresh strawberries perfectly
  • This cake manages to look impressive while being practically foolproof to make, even on busy weeknights
02 -
  • That wobbly center is not underbaked, its exactly what gives this cake its signature gooey texture that sets up as it cools
  • Resist the urge to over swirl the filling, those distinct pockets of cream cheese are what make this recipe special
  • The cake continues to cook slightly in the pan while cooling, so pulling it out when edges are set is perfect timing
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients for the filling are non negotiable, cold cream cheese creates lumpy filling that will not swirl properly
  • A light touch with the knife swirling creates the most beautiful marbled effect, heavy handed swirling turns everything into a muddy mess

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