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Your family will beg for more of this earthquake cake, so make sure to put it in your regular rotation!
Amazing Cake
I don’t use the word “amazing” too often about a cake, especially an easy-to-make cake which is a doctored mix.
However, when I made this and cut the first slice, I literally almost swooned because this cake is absolutely DELICIOUS!!!
Chocolate Cake Mix Raised Exponentially
As I mentioned before, this heavenly concoction is just a doctored mix, but it’s how it’s doctored that makes the big difference.
Really all you do is dump the extra ingredients in the pan. The magic happens in the oven.
As this bakes, all the components mix together and explode throughout the cake. Hence the name “earthquake cake.” The surface actually does look like the aftermath of a quake.
I came by this recipe on South Your Mouth blog. Mandy gave three versions of the cake and I chose the one that had everything but the kitchen sink. Like me, she goes ga-ga over coconut, however I believe she gives a version for people who don’t like the stuff.
Deep Pan Is A Must
I would advise using the deepest oblong pan you have.
This cake rises and explodes somewhat so you could get a spillover in the oven. I had a slight overflow, but nothing major.
Another thing I’d caution is to use a pan underneath the cake pan. That way if it overflows, you’re covered!
The Recipe
Earthquake Cake (Nuclear Option)
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Eggs oil and water for cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 8- ounce package cream cheese at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray. Scatter pecans and coconut evenly into pan. Prepare cake batter per manufacturer’s instructions and pour over pecans and coconut.
- Combine melted butter and cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat on low until smooth and creamy.
- Drop heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly onto cake batter. Sprinkle cake with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until set.
Nutrition
*Adapted from South Your Mouth
Dian says
Has anyone tried this? I would love to see your comment. The no comment above makes me wonder why?d
Judith Hanneman says
Try it Dian, you’ll love it. As for the other comment, I don’t know what their motivation was, but I’d like to take it that the cake is so good, there’s nothing left to say.
Lisa Stanton says
I am baking this cake for tomorrow’s potluck, so I will have to store it overnight. Do you recommend storing at room temp or in refrigerator? Thanks!
Judith Hanneman says
I stored mine in the fridge, but let it come to room temp before I ate it. But if it’s not oppressively hot by you and you’re going to serve it tomorrow, it can be left out.
Sparks says
Recipe originally from the cookbook, ‘The Cake Doctor’, by Anne Byrn. It’s also good with slivered almonds if you have friends that don’t like pecans.