Earthquake Cake

Name: Earthquake Cake with German Chocolate and Cream Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box German chocolate cake mix; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup water; 3 large eggs; 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1 cup chopped pecans; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Earthquake Cake is a German chocolate cake with a gooey cream cheese and pecan filling that creates a cracked, uneven surface during baking—hence its dramatic name. This easy box-mix dessert combines rich chocolate with coconut and pecans for a crowd-pleasing treat.

🌍American 🏷️Earthquake cake 🏷️German chocolate cake 🏷️Chocolate cake 🏷️Cream cheese Pecans

🏷️

🏷️Coconut

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

1h

Servings

12

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
3 large eggs
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Vanilla ice cream, for servingoptional

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 350°F.
2
In a large bowl, combine the German chocolate cake mix, oil, water, and eggs. Mix with a hand mixer until just combined.
3
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4
Sprinkle the shredded coconut evenly over the bottom of the dish, followed by the chopped pecans.
5
Pour the cake batter evenly over the coconut and pecans and spread to cover.
6
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.
7
Add the melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat again until smooth and creamy.
8
Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture all over the top of the cake batter.
9
Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
10
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is mostly firm.
11
Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the batter before baking—uneven dollops will create overly thick sunken pockets rather than a distributed layer.
Don't overmix the batter after adding the cream cheese layer; gently fold in the coconut and pecans to keep the topping distributed throughout.
Let the cake cool completely in the pan (at least 1 hour) before cutting; cutting too early will cause the gooey filling to pull apart.
For the most dramatic cracks, avoid opening the oven door during baking—sudden temperature changes can flatten or over-set the surface.

Substitutions

Vegetable oil → melted coconut oil (use equal amount; adds subtle coconut flavor)
Sweetened shredded coconut → unsweetened coconut flakes (reduce by 2 tablespoons if you prefer less sweetness)
Chopped pecans → chopped walnuts or almonds (equal swap; walnuts will be less buttery)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days; reheat individual slices at 325°F for 5–8 minutes to warm the gooey filling.

Common Questions

Why does earthquake cake crack on top?

The cream cheese filling sinks and creates stress points in the batter as it bakes, causing the characteristic cracks and uneven surface that give the cake its name.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, bake it up to 2 days ahead and store covered at room temperature or refrigerated. The flavor improves as it sits.

What's the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?

Cut it into cubes and leave it on the counter for 30–45 minutes, or microwave in 10-second intervals until soft but not melted.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, chocolate or dark chocolate cake mixes work well as substitutes, though you'll lose the distinctive German chocolate flavor profile.

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

A toothpick inserted into the chocolate cake portion (not the filling) should come out with a few moist crumbs; the filling will remain slightly gooey.