Irresistibly Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake will fix a bad day in about fifteen minutes flat. Ever have one of those nights where you just want something that tastes like both summer and pure happiness? Yeah, me too. Searching for a showstopper dessert that isn’t all fussy or needs fancy equipment? Well, this is it. And trust me, once you get a bite of this cake, you’ll probably forget about all the other recipes for a while. Oh, and if this vibe is your thing, you might also love checking out these delicious texas sheet cake bites or wander over to see more fun ideas right here.

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Earthquake Cake

What is it about a warm, oozy cake that just smacks you right in the feel-goods? Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake is one of those desserts that actually gets better the messier it turns out. Honestly, you can’t mess this up unless you drop it upside down on your floor (and even then, five-second rule?). The gooey pockets of cream cheese with that sweet pop of strawberry–it’s like summer exploded into cake.

If you’re all about a recipe that’s foolproof, absolutely crowd-pleasing, and tastes like it came from a hidden five-star restaurant, here’s your new favorite. My Uncle Pete tried a bite and almost cried. Plus, it works for all seasons. Use up those peak-season strawberries or just grab a bag of frozen ones from the back of your freezer. It’s pretty magical how simple ingredients come together to create legit comfort on a fork.

“Not gonna lie, I was skeptical, but after one bite, my kids and their friends pretty much inhaled the entire pan. It’s a total hit every single time!” – Sam G.

Ingredients Needed To Make Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Not much to remember here, so don’t panic if your pantry looks kinda empty:

• 1 box strawberry cake mix (any brand works, honestly)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter if you wanna feel fancy)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped (frozen strawberries can work in a jam)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (or heck, use regular chocolate chips if you’re wild)

Substitutions + Alternatives

If you’ve ever opened your fridge and just stared, hoping the ingredients will magically appear, you’re not alone. You don’t have to be some kind of baking wizard to pull this off.

Say you can’t find strawberry cake mix. Grab vanilla, white, or even lemon. The flavor will change, but still ridiculously good. No fresh strawberries? Frozen works, just don’t thaw them (makes the cake soggy). Dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and non-dairy cream cheese, they’ll do the trick. Allergic to chocolate? Skip the chips, or toss in shredded coconut for a little texture.

And hey, if you want to try with other fruits (like blueberries or raspberries) the universe will not collapse. It’ll just taste like another amazing kind of earthquake cake.

How To Make Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Alright, let’s not complicate this fiasco:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, unless you want to be stuck scraping for hours.
2. In a big bowl, throw together cake mix, eggs, oil, and milk. Stir it until mostly smooth. Don’t sweat the lump or two.
3. Gently fold in those strawberries.
4. Pour that pinkish batter into your prepped pan.
5. In a new bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until whoa, super creamy.
6. Dollop (it’s a fun word, huh) the cream cheese mixture right on top of the cake batter. Little blobs, no need for perfection.
7. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Do it like a pro—meaning, with pure joy.
8. Pop it in the oven for about 40–45 minutes. It’s done when the edges are golden and the center has that lovable wobble.
9. Cool a bit, then spoon it up while it’s still warm and gooey.

If you want a step-by-step for another easy treat, check out the delicious texas sheet cake bites recipe too.

More Mouthwatering Cakes

Sometimes you crave variety, right? If you loved this, you’ll adore digging into other messy, wonderful cakes like chocolate poke cake or good ol’ dump cake. Or even something with a bit more crunch, like a Texas sheet cake—wait, these delicious texas sheet cake bites are perfect when you want “just a little something sweet” (good luck stopping at one).

Serving suggestions? You bet:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top = heaven.
• Pile of whipped cream and a few sliced strawberries just jazz it right up.
• Make it breakfast. Not joking.
• Great straight out of the pan with a fork. No judgment.

Try a bunch out, see what works for you, and honestly—don’t get stuck thinking dessert has to be perfect to be fantastic.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Why is it called Earthquake Cake?
Well, once you pour everything in and bake it, the layers get all jumbled and gooey. It cracks on the surface—looks like an earthquake but tastes like magic.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yeah, just use two pans. Don’t overfill ’em (that’s a volcano caking situation and trust me, not as fun for cleanup).

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, but it’s best warm. You can store leftovers covered in the fridge and zap a slice in the microwave about 15 seconds.

What’s the best way to store it?
Covered, in the fridge. It’ll stay good for a couple days. Actually kind of amazing cold, too.

Any tips for serving at a party?
Cut into squares and plop onto little plates. People act fancier when eating off plates, even messy cake.

Ready To Bake? Here’s My Honest Two Cents

You deserve a treat after reading all this. Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake is THAT dessert—easy, sweet, and mouthwateringly sticky in the best way. If you’re still thinking about other versions, there’s a great Strawberry earthquake cake recipe with cream cheese swirl for a swirlier take, or check out The Salty Cooker’s version for another spin that’s equally irresistible. Busy Family Recipes breaks it down step by step if you want a family-friendly walkthrough, too.

Go ahead. Whip up this beauty, see what surprises your own oven brings, and brace yourself for way, way too many compliments.

Gooey Strawberry Earthquake Cake

This irresistible cake combines gooey cream cheese with fresh strawberries, creating a dessert that’s easy to make and incredibly satisfying.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the cake

• 1 box strawberry cake mix Any brand works
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter if preferred
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped Frozen strawberries can also be used

For the cream cheese layer

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For topping

• 1 cup white chocolate chips Regular chocolate chips can be substituted

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a big bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and milk until mostly smooth.
3. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
5. In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
6. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
7. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Baking

1. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the edges are golden and the center has a slight wobble.
2. Allow to cool slightly before serving warm and gooey.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the fridge. Best served warm, but also delicious cold.