Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake

Teresa Ambra

Here is one of the most delectable desserts you will ever eat. Pina Colada Earthquake Cake, oh my. This is another one of my delicious Earthquake Cakes where a cheesecake filling bakes into a cake, and as it bakes the cake explodes (rises) and then falls leaving craters and the middle of the cake sinks down which is how it gets its crazy name.

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It’s truly a heavenly delight. Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is made with a pineapple cake mix and includes crushed pineapple in the batter. It’s layered over macadamia nuts, coconut and vanilla chips. (I’ve also used white chocolate chips with good results).

It’s topped with a cheesecake frosting before baking. After it’s cooked you serve it garnished with pineapple slices, toasted coconut and maraschino cherries for a spectacular and amazing culinary experience to die for!

Every now and then you need to make a special dessert for a special occasion. Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is that kind of dessert. It has texture, it has flavor, it has presentation (in spite of the volcanic explosion when the cake craters and sinks in the middle), and it’s also one of the best smelling cakes you’ll ever enjoy. No kidding. If you enjoy the smells of coconut and pineapple you’ll love this cake.

While Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is magnificent, Earthquake Cakes in general are not the easiest cakes to bake. In case you didn’t get it the first time, these are “HIGH MAINTENANCE” cakes. First of all, you really need to bake these in a glass baking dish. If you try aluminum your cake will stick to the bottom and it won’t be pretty. Second, you will have to cover the top of the cake after about 40 minutes of baking time or the cake will get too browned on top and the cream cheese, especially, will brown.

However, if you try to cover the cake the whole length of baking time it will end up taking about 2 hours to bake. No kidding. I’ve tried it every which way possible. Third, these cakes usually take longer than most layer cakes which can be done in about a half hour.

I’ve had these cakes take as little as 45 minutes and as long as an hour and 15 minutes. I have had others write in that after 30 minutes their cake was done and browned! So, this is a cake that you have to watch like a hawk throughout the baking time. Definitely cut your temperature down if you have a hot oven. I left the light on in my oven the whole time and checked the cake every 10 minutes after the first 20 minutes of baking time.

Fourth, this is one of those few cakes that I really grease and flour the baking dish very generously (no cooking spray) in order to get the cake to come out easily. Finally, when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, the cake is baked. My oven seems to run slow so it usually takes about an hour and fifteen minutes.

If you want to make a lovely cake for an occasion like a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, job promotion, or another special day in the life of one of your loved one or friend, I can highly recommend Pina Colada Earthquake Cake. It’s especially delightful for those who love pineapple desserts.

It’s rich, gooey, decadent and so tempting you’ll not be able to stop eating it. All I can say is that this cake just seems to melt in your mouth and explode with lots of amazing flavors. It’s outrageously good, and one you will love after the very first bite. Just be sure to follow my instructions carefully so it turns out well.

When I initially posted this recipe in March 2015 I was a little unhappy with brown the nuts got on the bottom. I decided to remake this recipe for company (May 2017) and tried again. This time, after the cake was baked and cooled I spread sliced pineapple on top (patted dry) and placed maraschino cherries in the center of each pineapple slice. Finally I garnished the cake with icing because we served it as a birthday cake! Even people who didn’t care for pineapple enjoyed this cake. It’s that good. 🙂

This scrumptious cake is featured at All Free Casserole Recipes here.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is one of the most sensational cakes you’ll ever eat!

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

The cheesecake icing layer bakes into the cake adding incredible sweetness to the cake so that it needs no other frosting (although I added some.) 🙂

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

This is the perfect cake for birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. 

Here’s what I did.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

I used these ingredients.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Grease and flour a 9×13″ glass baking dish (don’t merely spray with cooking spray). Sprinkle the bottom of the dish with macadamia nuts.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Add coconut.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Add vanilla chips.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Mix pineapple cake mix, eggs, half-and-half and canola oil.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Mix ingredients with an electric mixer to combine. Add well-drained crushed pineapple.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Stir ingredients with a wooden spoon to combine.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pour cake batter filling over top of vanilla chips in baking dish.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

To make cheesecake filling: Place butter and cream cheese in a saucepan over low to medium heat and whisk continuously to melt. You may have to break the cream cheese up into cubes to get the cheese to melt more evenly and quickly.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Once the cheese melts remove from heat.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Add powdered sugar.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Beat ingredients with an electric mixer to combine.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pour cheesecake mixture over top of cake batter in baking dish.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Bake cake about 30-40 minutes at 350. Tent with foil and bake an additional 30-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (My cake took 1 hour 15 minutes).

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Cool cake completely. If desired, garnish cake with pineapple slices (patted dry) and maraschino cherries (rinsed, drained, patted dry).

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

I was able to snap a couple of photos before we had dug into the cake!

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is a fabulous dessert for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, or anytime you want a dessert to salivate over.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

If you enjoy pineapple you will LOVE this dessert!

Here’s the recipe.

PINA COLADA EARTHQUAKE CAKE

(My own concoction)

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake

Teresa Ambra
Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is spectacular! This amazing cake craters and explodes like a volcano while baking. It's a spectacular cake that's filled with a pineapple cake mix and crushed pineapple, macadamia nuts, vanilla chips, coconut, a cheesecake filling. It's garnished with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries. Fantastic dessert for special occasions like Christmas or Valentine's Day.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 15
Calories 666 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 medium mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 sauce pan
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups Macadamia nuts roasted chopped (6-ounces)
  • 12 oz. pkg. premier white baking chips
  • 20 oz. can crushed pineapple drained
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 large eggs (to mix with cake mix)
  • 1/3 cup canola oil (to mix with cake mix)
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy whipping cream (to mix with cake mix)
  • 8 oz. can pineapple slices for garnish, if desired
  • 12 maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously grease and flour a 9x13” baking dish.
  • (Don't merely spray with cooking spray).
  • Spread macadamia nuts, coconut and then white vanilla chips in the bottom of the prepared dish.
  • Mix cake mix according to package directions using 3 eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil, ½ cup half-and-half with an electric mixer.
  • Add drained crushed pineapple and stir to combine.
  • Spread cake mixture over top of the white vanilla chips.
  • Melt butter and cream cheese over low to medium heat in small saucepan.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add powdered sugar and whisk to combine.
  • Spread powdered sugar mixture over top of cake batter in baking dish.
  • Smooth the top.
  • Bake cake at 350° for about 40-45 minutes.
  • If top is starting to get too brown, tent cake lightly with foil.
  • Bake an additional 20-40 minutes or until cake tests done when checking with a toothpick.
  • Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  • If desired, garnish cake with pineapple slices and drained maraschino cherries that have been rinsed, drained and patted dry with a paper towel.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

NOTE: You must really grease and flour the baking dish for this to come out right. Use either Crisco shortening, butter or margarine to grease. Then shake, tilt and rotate the baking dish until flour covers the bottom and sides of baking dish.
 
NOTE: You must use a glass baking dish to bake this cake in. It will not come out of an aluminum pan very well.
 
NOTE: cream cheese tends to brown when baking for long lengths of time. The foil needs to cover the top but not be tightened down. It will take longer to bake the cake this way so that the top cooks properly. But the end result will be a perfectly beautiful cake on top and it won’t be overly browned.
 
NOTE: You will need to use 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil and ½ cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half combined with the cake mix to make one of the layers for this cake.
 
NOTE: I recommend baking this cake in the middle of the oven so it doesn’t brown too much on the top or the bottom of the baking dish.
 
NOTE: Each oven is different. While I have had these cakes bake in 45 minutes, most of the time, the cakes in my oven take about an hour and fifteen minutes. Check your oven. Your oven may bake faster than mine.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 666kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 3gSugar: 71gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, pineapple, pineapple dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Pina Colada Earthquake Cake[/b]
Recipe Type: Cakes and Cheesecakes
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra my own creation
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
This spectacular cake is filled with [url href=”http://www.duncanhines.com/” target=”_blank” title=”duncan hines cake mix”]pineapple cake mix[/url] and crushed pineapple, [url href=”http://www.maunaloa.com/” target=”_blank” title=”mauna loa macadamia nuts”]macadamia nuts[/url], [url href=”http://www.nestleusa.com/brands/baking” target=”_blank” title=”nestle’s vanilla chips”]vanilla chips[/url], coconut, a cheesecake filling and it’s garnished with toasted coconut, [url href=”http://www.kraftrecipes.com/coolwhip/coolwhip.aspx#/home” target=”_blank” title=”cool whip”]Cool Whip[/url] and maraschino cherries.
Ingredients
  • 1 [url href=”http://www.duncanhines.com/” target=”_blank” title=”duncan hines cake mix”]Duncan Hines[/url] Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 ½ cups [url href=”http://www.maunaloa.com/” target=”_blank” title=”mauna loa macadamia nuts”]Mauna Loa[/url] roasted, chopped Macadamia nuts
  • 12-oz. pkg. [url href=”http://www.nestleusa.com/” target=”_blank” title=”nestle’s white chips”]Nestle[/url] Tollhouse premier white baking chips
  • 20-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 8-oz. cream cheese
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • maraschino cherries, [url href=”http://www.kraftrecipes.com/coolwhip/coolwhip.aspx#/home” target=”_blank” title=”cool whip”]Cool Whip[/url] and toasted coconut for garnish, if desired
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Grease and flour a 9×13” baking dish.
  3. Spread macadamia nuts, coconut and then white vanilla chips in the bottom of the prepared dish.
  4. Mix cake mix according to package directions using 3 eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil, ½ cup half-and-half and drained crushed pineapple.
  5. Spread cake mixture over top of the white vanilla chips.
  6. Melt butter and cream cheese over low to medium heat in small saucepan.
  7. Remove from heat.
  8. Add powdered sugar and whisk to combine.
  9. Spread powdered sugar mixture over top of cake batter in baking dish.
  10. Smooth the top.
  11. Bake cake at 350° for 30 minutes.
  12. Tent cake lightly with foil.
  13. Bake an additional 30-60 minutes or until cake tests done when checking with a toothpick.
  14. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  15. If desired, garnish each piece with Cool Whip, toasted coconut and rinsed and drained maraschino cherries that have been patted dry with a paper towel.
  16. Store covered tightly.
  17. After 2 days, store in refrigerator.
Notes
You must really grease and flour the baking pan for this to come out right. Use either Crisco shortening, butter or margarine to grease. Then shake, tilt and rotate the baking dish until flour covers the bottom and sides of baking dish.[br][br]You must use a glass baking dish to bake this cake it. It will not come out of an aluminum pan very well. [br][br]Cream cheese tends to brown when baking for long lengths of time. The foil needs to cover the top but not be tightened down. It will take longer to bake the cake this way so that the top cooks properly. But the end result will be a perfectly beautiful cake on top and it won’t be overly browned.
Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is filled with crushed pineapple, coconut, macadamia nuts, vanilla chips and a cheesecake topping that bakes into the cake and causes an explosion while baking!

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is a cake to write home about!

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

This cake will have you drooling!

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Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this spectacular #cake has both #chocolate & #cheesecake layers that "explode" like a volcano while baking. Most amazing #dessert ever! Perfect for #ValentinesDay & other special occasions.

Red Velvet Earthquake Cake

Red Velvet Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | This amazing #dessert experiences a volcanic shift while baking, so it craters and shifts layers like an earthquake. Our fabulous #redvelvet #cake is perfect for special occasions & #holidays like #Christmas & #ValentinesDay. #chocolate #cheesecake

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Carrot Cake Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #cake is rich, decadent & divine! It's layered with #pecans, #coconut, vanilla chips & uses a boxed #carrotcake mix. Then it has a #cheesecake icing layer that sinks into the #dessert while baking. The explosion causes an earthquake! Amazing dessert for company or #holidays.

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Funfetti Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Pina Colada Earthquake Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | best #cake ever! This heavenly #dessert is filled with #pineapple, #coconut, macadamia nuts & vanilla chips. #Creamcheese frosting bakes into the cake causing it to crater, erupt & explode in an earthquake! Perfect for #holidays or special occasions.

Pina Colada Earthquake Cake

Teresa Ambra
Pina Colada Earthquake Cake is spectacular! This amazing cake craters and explodes like a volcano while baking. It's a spectacular cake that's filled with a pineapple cake mix and crushed pineapple, macadamia nuts, vanilla chips, coconut, a cheesecake filling. It's garnished with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries. Fantastic dessert for special occasions like Christmas or Valentine's Day.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 15
Calories 666 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 medium mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 sauce pan
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups Macadamia nuts roasted chopped (6-ounces)
  • 12 oz. pkg. premier white baking chips
  • 20 oz. can crushed pineapple drained
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 large eggs (to mix with cake mix)
  • 1/3 cup canola oil (to mix with cake mix)
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy whipping cream (to mix with cake mix)
  • 8 oz. can pineapple slices for garnish, if desired
  • 12 maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously grease and flour a 9×13” baking dish.
  • (Don't merely spray with cooking spray).
  • Spread macadamia nuts, coconut and then white vanilla chips in the bottom of the prepared dish.
  • Mix cake mix according to package directions using 3 eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil, ½ cup half-and-half with an electric mixer.
  • Add drained crushed pineapple and stir to combine.
  • Spread cake mixture over top of the white vanilla chips.
  • Melt butter and cream cheese over low to medium heat in small saucepan.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add powdered sugar and whisk to combine.
  • Spread powdered sugar mixture over top of cake batter in baking dish.
  • Smooth the top.
  • Bake cake at 350° for about 40-45 minutes.
  • If top is starting to get too brown, tent cake lightly with foil.
  • Bake an additional 20-40 minutes or until cake tests done when checking with a toothpick.
  • Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  • If desired, garnish cake with pineapple slices and drained maraschino cherries that have been rinsed, drained and patted dry with a paper towel.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

NOTE: You must really grease and flour the baking dish for this to come out right. Use either Crisco shortening, butter or margarine to grease. Then shake, tilt and rotate the baking dish until flour covers the bottom and sides of baking dish.
 
NOTE: You must use a glass baking dish to bake this cake in. It will not come out of an aluminum pan very well.
 
NOTE: cream cheese tends to brown when baking for long lengths of time. The foil needs to cover the top but not be tightened down. It will take longer to bake the cake this way so that the top cooks properly. But the end result will be a perfectly beautiful cake on top and it won’t be overly browned.
 
NOTE: You will need to use 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil and ½ cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half combined with the cake mix to make one of the layers for this cake.
 
NOTE: I recommend baking this cake in the middle of the oven so it doesn’t brown too much on the top or the bottom of the baking dish.
 
NOTE: Each oven is different. While I have had these cakes bake in 45 minutes, most of the time, the cakes in my oven take about an hour and fifteen minutes. Check your oven. Your oven may bake faster than mine.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 666kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 3gSugar: 71gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 210mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, pineapple, pineapple dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

5 Comments

  • 70 Easter Dessert Recipes – Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

    June 7, 2016 at 10:03 am

    […] Pina Colada Earthquake Cake […]

  • Carol Garza

    June 28, 2015 at 11:57 am

    5 stars
    I made this cake last night. OMG! It’s WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for creating and posting this fabulous dessert.
    I didn’t have pineapple cake mix so I used regular yellow cake mix and added a tsp of pineapple extract.
    Also, I used about 1/2 of a fresh pineapple instead of canned.
    Worked out fine.

    1. Teresa

      June 29, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Hi, Carol. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed this delicious cake. I know it’s a little bit of a challenge to get it to cook without burning the cream cheese on top, but it sure is scrumptious when done right! Thanks for letting me know. Believe it or not, I usually find the pineapple cake mix at Wal-Mart! 🙂

  • Anonymous

    March 9, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    A cake this good deserves real whip cream–not Cool Whip!

    1. Teresa

      March 9, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      You’re right! I don’t know why I never think to whip it up myself! Ice cream also works. 🙂

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