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Earthquake Cake starts with a box of german chocolate cake mix, then add in coconut, chocolate chips, pecans, and a yummy cream cheese swirl!
You don’t have to frost earthquake cake because the cream cheese mixture becomes a layer of frosting INSIDE the cake.
It cracks open after baking, resulting in the name – Earthquake cake! It’s one of the best cakes to serve for a party.
Another popular cake is Pig Pickin Cake, which starts with a box of cake mix too! For a big party make both of these cakes!
Where did the name come from?
I’m not really sure how this cake got its name, but it’s rich with german chocolate flavor, pecans, coconut, and the secret ingredient – a powdered sugar, cream cheese, and butter swirl layer.
It’s amazing and a lot of you agree with me based on your comments!
Ingredients
- german Chocolate Cake Mix – the base of the cake
- vegetable oil
- large eggs
- water
- shredded coconut – use sweetened coconut flakes
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- chopped pecans
- unsalted butter
- cream cheese – use full-fat or 1/3 fat
- powdered sugar
More recipes that use shredded coconut – Church Window Cookies, Cowboy Cookies and 7 Layer Bars.
Earthquake Cake Layers
Layer #1 (on the left) – chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut
Layer #2 (on the right) – german chocolate cake mix
Layer #3 – the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar goodness. Let’s not think about the calories.. they don’t exist :)
The swirl – Earthquake cake is all about that frosting swirl! The frosting bakes into the cake.
How To Assemble Earthquake Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans on the bottom of the pan.
- Mix the german chocolate cake mix with the oil, eggs, and water using a spatula or hand mixer on low.
- Pour the cake mix on top of the coconut/chocolate chip/pecan layer.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and cream cheese.
- Using a spatula or hand mixer on low, beat in 1 pound of powdered sugar until it’s smooth to the butter/cream cheese.
- Spread this mixture on top of the uncooked german chocolate cake in the pan, and swirl into the cake mix using a knife.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. It is done when it doesn’t wobble in the pan if you shake it. The toothpick test shouldn’t work because the cake should be more gooey in nature.
- Enjoy! Store any left over cake in the fridge.
The very first time I baked this, I think I overcooked mine slightly.
The end result is suppose to be a bit more gooey and not completely cake-like, so be sure to watch your cooking time! But nevertheless this earthquake cake was phenomenal and was the talk of the night at our pot luck.
Time Required
- 10 minutes to prep the cake
- 35-45 minutes to bake
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
To store leftovers, cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap or scoop the leftovers into an airtight container. Store in the fridge due to the cake containing cream cheese.
To freeze, bake the cake in a freezer safe container. Allow it to cool completely then wrap the pan well in plastic then again in foil. Label and place in the freezer. To thaw place in the fridge overnight.
Pro Tips
The frosting layer is thick. I recommend using a cookie scoop to drop dollops of the mixture over the cake. Then use a spatula to swirl the frosting into the cake.
Don’t go over board with swirling. You don’t want to fully mix the 2 layers.
For a super beautiful swirl, transfer the frosting mixture to a piping bag and pipe swirls in and over the cake batter.
Recipe Variations
For peanut butter lovers, replace the butter in the frosting mixture with creamy peanut butter. That will give the whole frosting a delicious peanut butter flavor!
Omit the nuts. Not a fan? Skip them!
Add chocolate chips AFTER baking. The chocolate will melt into the cake while it cools.
Reviews
“Beth, Wow!!! I tried the Earthquake Cake – Simply Delicious and so easy to make. Had company and that was the dessert we had and everyone commented that it was AWESOME. Believe me it was and so glad to get your recipes as was so easy to make and simple ingredients.”
-Terri
“I made this for a poker tournament get together and it was a hit with everyone and myself. It’s not very often that I love the dessert I bake. I just made my second cake since Saturday. And the best thing is… It’s so easy to make..”
-Missie
More Recipes From The First Year
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Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix, do not prepare as directed on box, prepare as directed below
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 & ⅓ cup water
- ⅔ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 stick unsalted butter, 1/2 cup
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 pound powdered sugar, 3 and 3/4 cups
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans on the bottom of the pan.
- Mix the german chocolate cake mix with the oil, eggs, and water using a spatula or hand mixer on low.
- Pour the cake mix on top of the coconut/chocolate chip/pecan layer.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and cream cheese.
- Using a spatula or hand mixer on low, beat in 1 pound of powdered sugar until it’s smooth to the butter/cream cheese.
- Spread this mixture on top of the uncooked german chocolate cake in the pan, and swirl into the cake mix using a knife.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes. It is done when it doesn’t wobble in the pan if you shake it. The toothpick test shouldn’t work because the cake should be more gooey in nature.
- Enjoy! Store any left over cake in the fridge.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Can I make this without the coconut and nuts?
Yes!
I have made the chocolate earthquake’ cake twice before and everyone loves it . Now I want to make the lemon one . Thanks for the recipe
Can this be made in a bundt pan?
I bet you could! The baking time will be longer in a bundt pan.
The Earthquake recipe is the absolute best! If you love chocolate and German Chocolate, this recipe is for you. This has become my most asked for dessert with my family. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes. Thank you.
This is the “least for the most” Least amount of work for the most compliments!. Have served it time and time again. One guest looked at me and said ” this just might be the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten in my life” How about that guys!! The bottom video on “how” to apply the cream is very important for the “wow!” appearance. regards…..Dave
My mom used to make this cake for the family. My boys absolutely love this cake. Since she past away I’ve only made one. But it’s going to be put back in our family traditions list. My family can’t wait to get their tastebuds sunk into another earthquake cake.
Ínstead of Germán cake , what can I use? Isn’t easy to find Germán Cake , my mail is :marwasserman@outlook.com
You can use chocolate cake mix or any that you prefer!
Delicious recipe. Was a great hit with family and friends and I was asked for the recipe by several people. I made the recipe as written except after seeing how thin the coconut, pecan, and chocolate chip layers were in the 9 X 13 pan, I tripled the coconut, doubled the pecans, and used a 12 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Even after tripling the coconut, mine did not have the thick layer that is shown in the photo. It is a fantastic dessert. Very rich!
substitute for pecans?
Walnuts, peanut or omit them!
I want to try this, sounds delicious