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Earthquake Cake

This Earthquake Cake is loaded with layers of German chocolate cake, coconut, pecans and chocolate chips, plus a decadent cream cheese swirl!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 483 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup Chopped Pecans
  • 1 (15.25 ounce) box German chocolate cake mix, plus additional ingredients called for on the package
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 8 ounce block of cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips
  • Optional, for serving: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup or caramel sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a deep 9 x 13-inch baking dish (preferably at least 2 inches deep or more). If you’re not sure that your pan is deep enough, you can place the dish on top of a rimmed baking sheet to catch any accidental overflow from a shallow dish.
  2. Spread coconut and pecans in the bottom of the prepared dish.
  3. Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions. Pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecans.
  4. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar and mix until incorporated.
  5. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the cake batter. Use a knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture around. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
  6. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until set. A toothpick inserted in the center of the cake will not come out clean, since the inside will still be a little bit gooey. Cool, slice into squares, and serve!

Notes

  • How to Know when the Cake is Done:
  • Unlike other cakes, an Earthquake Cake should still be a bit gooey inside when it comes out of the oven. I like to gently press down on the top of the cake with my fingers. If the chocolate cake portion springs back and feels "set," then I pull it out. There might even still be a little bit of jiggle to the cake. A toothpick test will not work, because the toothpick will not come out clean (even when the cake is ready). You don't want to overbake the cake or it will be dry and "cake like" inside, rather than a molten delight! The cake will continue to firm up as it cools.
  • Make sure that you're using a deep 9 x 13-inch pan (at least 2 inches deep, but preferably deeper). If you're not sure that your dish is deep enough, you can place the dish on top of a rimmed baking sheet. The cake puffs up quite a bit and you don't want to end up with overflow on the bottom of your oven!
  • Use full-fat block-style cream cheese -- do not substitute with a tub of spreadable cream cheese.
  • German chocolate cake is a classic companion for coconut and pecans; however, you can substitute with a box of regular chocolate cake mix, Devil's Food cake mix, or chocolate fudge cake mix.
  • Serve it warm if you like it molten and gooey, or wait for the cake to cool completely for clean slices.
  • Top with a scoop of ice cream and chocolate syrup or caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 483kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 43mg (14%) Sodium 453mg (19%) Potassium 210mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 35g (70%) Vitamin A 522IU (10%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 96mg (10%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 483

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 483kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 43mg 14%
Sodium 453mg 19%
Potassium 210mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 35g 70%
Vitamin A 522IU 10%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 96mg 10%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.