Imagine a dessert that combines the fluffy tenderness of cake with the rich, tangy creaminess of cheesecake, all while boasting an exciting, cracked “earthquake” appearance. That’s exactly what you get with our Strawberry Cheesecake Cake, often affectionately called “Earthquake Cake.” This isn’t just a cake; it’s a delightful experience, with pockets of luscious cream cheese, sweet strawberries, and a tender cake base that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s surprisingly easy to make, yet it looks and tastes like something straight from a professional bakery.

Why I Love This Recipe

What truly sets this Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake apart is its clever combination of textures and flavors. You start with a simple cake mix, which provides a fantastic foundation. But then, the magic happens: a rich, velvety cream cheese mixture is dolloped over the batter, along with fresh strawberries and often white chocolate chips. As it bakes, the cream cheese mixture sinks and swirls, creating those signature “earthquake” cracks and pockets of pure, melty cheesecake goodness throughout the cake. This results in a dessert that’s moist, sweet, slightly tangy, and endlessly interesting with every bite. It’s perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply a weekend treat, proving that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create something truly spectacular.

List of Ingredients

To create this exciting and delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake, gather the following:

For the Cake:

• 1 (15.25-ounce) box strawberry cake mix
• Ingredients required by cake mix (typically 3 large eggs, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil)

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Mix-ins:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

For Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh sliced strawberries
• Whipped cream or ice cream

Swaps and Notes

• Cake Mix: While strawberry cake mix provides a strong berry flavor, you can use a white or yellow cake mix for a more subtle strawberry note, allowing the fresh strawberries to shine even more.
• Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is truly softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free mixture. This is crucial for the “earthquake” effect.
• Butter: Melted butter should be slightly cooled, not piping hot, to avoid scrambling the cream cheese.
• Powdered Sugar: Sifting the powdered sugar is recommended to prevent lumps in your cream cheese mixture, though it’s not strictly necessary if you blend well.
• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are best for flavor and texture. If using frozen, thaw them completely and pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
• White Chocolate Chips: These add a wonderful extra layer of sweetness and texture, melting into gooey pockets. You can omit them or swap for milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts for a different twist.
• Add-ins: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the cake batter or sprinkled over the top before the cream cheese mixture.

List of Steps for the Recipe

Follow these steps to create your impressive Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake:

1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 350∘F (175∘C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Prepare Cake Batter: In a large bowl, prepare the strawberry cake mix according to the package directions (usually combining the cake mix with eggs, water, and oil). Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until well combined and slightly fluffy. Pour the prepared cake batter evenly into the greased baking pan.
3. Make Cream Cheese Swirl: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and melted butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until well combined and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
4. Assemble the “Earthquake”: Evenly sprinkle the diced fresh strawberries and white chocolate chips over the cake batter in the pan. Then, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the cake batter. You can gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter using a knife or a skewer, but don’t overmix – just a few gentle swirls will do to create the “earthquake” effect.
5. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the cake is set and the edges are lightly golden. The cream cheese pockets might still appear jiggly in the center, and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion should come out clean.
6. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. The cream cheese pockets will set further as the cake cools. For firmer cream cheese pockets, you can chill the cake in the refrigerator before slicing.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest cream cheese mixture, ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start.
• Don’t Overmix the Cake Batter: Mix the cake batter just until combined, as overmixing can lead to a tougher cake.
• Gentle Swirl: When adding the cream cheese mixture, dollop it, and then if you choose to swirl, do so gently. The “earthquake” effect comes from the cream cheese sinking and cracking, so you don’t want to completely blend it into the batter.
• Pan Size Matters: Using a 9×13-inch pan is standard for this cake. A deeper pan is ideal to prevent overflow, as the cake will rise.
• Cool Before Slicing: While tempting to cut into it warm, allowing the cake to cool (and even chill) helps the cream cheese set, making for cleaner slices and a better overall texture. The cake is delicious slightly warm, but the “earthquake” effect is more defined when cooled.
• Check for Doneness: A toothpick inserted into the cake portion (not directly into a cream cheese dollop) should come out clean when the cake is done.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake is a showstopper on its own, but here are some delightful ways to serve and pair it:

• With Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a light, airy contrast to the rich cake.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream melting into a warm slice is pure heaven.
• Extra Fresh Strawberries: Garnish with additional sliced fresh strawberries for a beautiful presentation and a burst of fresh fruit flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: A light drizzle of melted white or milk chocolate can add an extra layer of indulgence.
• Strawberry Coulis: A simple strawberry coulis (pureed and strained strawberries, possibly with a touch of sugar) can be drizzled over individual servings.
• Coffee or Tea: This rich cake pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee or a comforting cup of herbal tea.

Nutritional Information

A serving of Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake (approximately 1/12th of the cake) contains:

• Calories: Approximately 400−500 calories
• Fat: Approximately 20−30g
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 50−60g
• Protein: Approximately 5−8g
• Fiber: Approximately 1−2g
• Sodium: Approximately 300−400mg

Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on specific brands of ingredients, precise measurements, and optional additions.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This cake stores very well, making it a great make-ahead dessert!

• Refrigeration: Because of the cream cheese, store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: This cake freezes wonderfully. Once completely cooled, wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• Reheating: If you prefer a warm slice, you can gently reheat individual servings in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until just warm. Be careful not to overheat, as the cream cheese can become too liquidy.

Final Thoughts

The Strawberry Cheesecake Earthquake Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a delightful surprise with every forkful. The alluring cracks on top hint at the pockets of creamy cheesecake nestled within the tender strawberry cake, while the fresh berries provide a welcome pop of tartness. It’s a recipe that marries ease with indulgence, making it perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without hours of effort. Give this fantastic recipe a try, and prepare for rave reviews!

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