Have you ever baked a dessert that seemed to change right before your eyes? That's exactly what happens with a Strawberry Earthquake Cake. It cracks, swirls, and reveals creamy layers in the oven, making every slice look different. This cake isn't just pretty-it's downright delicious.

With a strawberry cake base, ribbons of cream cheese, bursts of fresh strawberries, and melty white chocolate chips on top, it's a dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat. And the best part? It's simple enough for a weeknight bake but impressive enough to take to a party.

If you love strawberry desserts, you'll also enjoy my strawberry shortcake crumble bars for another fun way to bake with berries.

what makes a strawberry earthquake cake special

This cake gets its name from the way it bakes-cracking and shifting as the cream cheese filling melts into the cake. Instead of a neat, uniform dessert, you end up with something rustic, dramatic, and full of personality.

Every bite has a little bit of everything: tender strawberry cake, creamy swirls, juicy fruit, and a touch of white chocolate. It's the kind of cake that makes people stop and say, "Wait, how did you make this?"

ingredients you'll need

Here's everything to gather before you start:

1 box (15.25 ounces) strawberry cake mix
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup water
½ cup (109 g) vegetable oil
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
2 ½ cups (312.5 g) confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (166 g) diced strawberries, plus extra for garnish
2 cups (364 g) white chocolate chips
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

kitchen tools that help

9×13-inch baking dish
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Cooling rack

step-by-step instructions

prepare the cake base

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, water, and oil. Mix until smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared dish.

make the cream cheese mixture

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, melted butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt with a hand mixer until creamy.
Gently fold in the diced strawberries.

swirl and bake

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
Use a knife to swirl the two layers together (don't overmix-you want ribbons of cream cheese).
Sprinkle white chocolate chips evenly on top.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, until the center is set.

garnish and serve

Let the cake cool slightly, then top with extra diced strawberries.
Slice and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

tips for success

Dry your strawberries: After dicing, pat them dry with a paper towel so the cake doesn't get soggy.
Don't overswirl: A few figure-eight motions with your knife are plenty. Too much mixing will blend everything together.
Check doneness: The center should look set and slightly spring back when touched.

storage and serving ideas

This cake tastes best the day it's made, but you can store leftovers:

At room temperature, covered, for up to 2 days.
In the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

Warm slices taste incredible with vanilla ice cream, but chilled cake has a firmer texture and stronger cream cheese flavor.

variations you can try

Swap strawberries for raspberries or blueberries.
Use a chocolate cake mix for a rich twist.
Mix mini marshmallows into the batter for extra gooey spots.

faq

What is a strawberry earthquake cake?
It's a strawberry cake swirled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and baked until it cracks and shifts, creating a rustic, marbled look.

Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, just thaw and drain them well before folding into the cream cheese mixture.

How long does this cake stay fresh?
It keeps 3-5 days in the fridge, but it's at its best within 2 days.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use a gluten-free strawberry cake mix.

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what makes a strawberry earthquake cake special

ingredients you'll need

kitchen tools that help