Irresistible Strawberry Earthquake Cake (Printable Version)

Layers of strawberry, creamy cheesecake, and vanilla cake swirled into one stunning dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Cheesecake Filling

05 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cups powdered sugar
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Strawberry Swirl

09 - 1 cup strawberry pie filling or strawberry preserves
10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

→ Toppings

11 - 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
12 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
02 - Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and milk in a large bowl. Beat until smooth, then pour into the prepared pan.
03 - Beat cream cheese and butter in a separate bowl until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of cheesecake mixture evenly over cake batter. Gently swirl with a knife or spatula to create a marbled effect.
05 - Distribute strawberry pie filling and fresh sliced strawberries over the surface. Gently swirl again for a dramatic pattern.
06 - Sprinkle white chocolate chips and sliced almonds (if using) evenly across the top.
07 - Bake for 45-50 minutes until edges are golden and center is mostly set. A slight wobble in the center is acceptable.
08 - Allow cake to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The strawberry cheesecake ribbons create stunning marbled patterns that look like you spent hours on them
  • It starts with a simple cake mix but tastes completely homemade and bakery worthy
02 -
  • The center might look slightly underbaked when you remove it from the oven, but it will continue cooking as it cools
  • Swirling too vigorously will blend the layers together instead of creating distinct marbled patterns
03 -
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices for the cleanest cuts
  • A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not completely clean

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