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Easy Earthquake Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 117 reviews

Easy Earthquake Cake is a decadent dessert featuring a luscious chocolate fudge cake layered over toasted coconut, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips, swirled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture. Baked to perfection, this gooey, rich cake offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will impress at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1½ cups sweetened coconut, flaked
  • 15.25 ounce box chocolate fudge cake mix
  • 2¾ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1½ cups pecans, chopped

Wet Ingredients

  • 1⅛ cups water (or 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
  2. Toast Coconut (Optional): You may toast the coconut by placing it in a skillet over low heat on the stovetop, stirring often until lightly browned. Alternatively, broil it in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. This step adds a deeper flavor and crunch.
  3. Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate fudge cake mix, water, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix on low speed until all ingredients are well combined to form the cake batter. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until the mixture is creamy and lump-free. Set aside.
  5. Layer Ingredients in Pan: Grease the bottom only of a 9×13-inch baking pan. Evenly spread the toasted coconut, chopped pecans, and semi-sweet chocolate chips across the bottom of the pan. This creates the ‘earthquake’ effect when baked.
  6. Pour Cake Batter: Pour the prepared chocolate cake batter over the layered coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips. Spread it evenly using a spatula.
  7. Add Cream Cheese Dollops: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the cake batter. Using a skewer or butter knife, gently swirl the cream cheese into the cake batter without fully blending, creating beautiful marbled effects.
  8. Bake the Cake: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs, keeping the cake gooey inside.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serving warm will highlight the gooey texture and rich flavors.

Notes

  • Toasting the coconut is optional but enhances the flavor and texture.
  • The cake remains gooey inside; make sure not to overbake for best results.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or omit nuts if preferred.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese and butter for the richest taste.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Earthquake Cake, chocolate fudge cake, cream cheese swirl, toasted coconut, pecans, easy dessert, chocolate cake, gooey cake

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/easy-earthquake-cake-recipe/