Go Back
–+ servings
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.

Earthquake Cake

Teresa Ambra
This amazing cake is filled with a chocolate layer, a coconut and pecan layer and a cheesecake layer which undergo a seismic shift during baking causing crevices in the cake, and thus, Earthquake Cake. Great dessert for holiday baking and company.
3.96 from 44 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 405 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 nut chopper if nuts are not previously chopped
  • 1 small sauce pan
  • 1 whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 1 German Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 1 cup coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans chopped (measure after chopping nuts)
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease and flour a 9x13” baking dish.
  • Spread pecans and coconut in the bottom of the prepared dish.
  • Mix cake mix according to package directions.
  • Spread over top of pecans and coconut.
  • 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 for 45 minutes or until cake tests done.
  • Cool completely before cutting into squares.
  • Store covered tightly.
  • After 2 days, store in refrigerator.

Notes

NOTE: My cake mix required 3 eggs, 1/3 cup canola oil and 1 cup water to make cake according to package directions.
 
NOTE: Hannah said the original recipe called for 1 ½ cups coconut but that it totally overwhelmed the cake so she cut it back to ½ cup. I’ve increased the coconut to one cup for a happy medium.
 
NOTE: You can also add a bag of chocolate chips on the bottom of the dish with the coconut.
 
NOTE: Cover cake with foil after about 30 minutes to prevent cream cheese layer from browning too much.
 
NOTE: Drizzle each slice with chocolate syrup, if desired.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 394mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 2gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 204IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cake, chocolate, chocolate dessert, cream cheese, dessert, earthquake cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!