The thing about an earthquake cake is that it shouldn’t look neat and tidy when it comes out of the oven. And that’s the fun of it. The chocolate cake rises up around dollops of sweet cream cheese filling, causing cracks, uneven patches and a surface that appears to have shifted during baking. Under that rustic top you get a rich dessert of a combination of soft chocolate cake and creamy filling.
This classic earthquake cake recipe is a good choice for when you want something more interesting than a plain chocolate sheet cake, but you don’t want to make frosting or stack layers. In most of the versions you see, they add coconut and pecans for a little chew and crunch to all that chocolate.
The point is you have to know what the finished cake is supposed to look and feel like. Cracked top is normal but the chocolate cake needs to be baked well.
What Is a Traditional Earthquake Cake
The classic earthquake cake is a chocolate cake with an uneven surface and a rich cream cheese filling. The filling is baked into the cake itself, not a separate frosting spread on top like a traditional layer cake.
A boxed chocolate cake mix is used in many popular recipes, making the dessert convenient to bake at home. German chocolate cake mixes are especially popular, but there are other types of chocolate in different varieties.
Coconut and pecans are also often added. They add texture to the finished cake, contrasting with the soft chocolate and creamy filling.
It is usually served straight from the baking dish. It’s the kind of dessert that looks just right at a potluck, where flavour is a lot more important than perfectly straight edges.
What Is the Reason It’s Called Earthquake Cake?
The name comes from the cake’s unusual appearance when baked. The surface cracks and irregular patches form like shifting ground when the batter rises up and the filling sinks into various parts.
This is because the cake batter and cream cheese mixture have different densities and textures. And they don’t rise and set quite the same. That helps account for the irregular finish.
Don’t mistake that look for not baking. A properly baked earthquake cake will have deep looking cracks and creamy areas without being underdone.
That slightly messy look is part of the personality of the dessert. It doesn’t need to be covered in thick frosting to look like a regular cake.
What’s Inside The Traditional Earthquake Cake Filling?
Cream cheese is the most commonly associated filling for earthquake cake. It adds richness and just a touch of tanginess to offset the sweet chocolate base.
The filling typically includes sugar and other ingredients that help to create a smooth, sweet mixture. Depending on the recipe, it may settle into distinct pockets or create a more marbled pattern throughout the cake.
The cream cheese changes the texture, too. A slice might have a soft cakey part and then a part that is much creamier which is part of what makes earthquake cake different from regular chocolate cake.
Classic versions often contain coconut and pecans, but they’re not always included in the cream cheese mix itself. Where they are placed depends on the recipe.
Best Cake Mix for Traditional Earthquake Cake – Top Picks
German chocolate cake mix is often used to make earthquake cakes. It has a mild chocolate flavour that pairs well with coconut, pecans and sweet cream cheese.
Devil’s food cake mix gives a deeper chocolate flavour. If you prefer a darker, richer dessert, it can be a good option, but the result may not taste like the traditional version you remember.
You can also use regular chocolate cake mix if the recipe calls for it. The key is using the correct size package and the proportions called for in the recipe.
Cake mix recipes can differ from brand to brand. The weight of the package or the ingredients can alter how the batter acts. Especially if it is a dessert, the filling will affect the structure of the cake.
Tips for Making the Richest Classic Earthquake Cake Ever
One of the most common mistakes made is trying to judge earthquake cake by the same standards as a plain chocolate cake. When the cake is baked properly the creamy filling can appear to make some places look moist.
And the cream cheese consistency is important as well. A smooth filling is easier to spread than one with large, cold lumps, which can create uneven spots in the finished dessert.
Use the size of pan the recipe calls for. A narrower dish will result in a thicker cake and this may affect how the center sets. A wider dish will produce a thinner cake, which is more likely to dry out.
If the top looks cracked or uneven, don’t just keep baking. Those are the features expected. Instead, follow the cake portion and doneness guidelines given for the recipe.
Allow the dessert to settle after baking. The filling and cake structure can be delicate when hot, so it’s best to wait until it has cooled before cutting into portions.
What Makes Classic Earthquake Cake Different from Red Velvet Earthquake Cake?
The main difference is the basis of the cake. Classic earthquake cake is usually chocolate with coconut and pecans, and red velvet earthquake cake uses a red velvet style batter.
Red velvet has a subdued cocoa flavour and a unique colour. The combination of red cake and pale cream cheese filling can make the final product particularly striking.
The two versions are essentially the same, a rich cake with a cream cheese component that causes an uneven surface while baking.
If you are choosing between them, think about which flavour you prefer. Classic chocolate earthquake cake is often the better choice if you’re after a more intense chocolate dessert. Red velvet, in contrast, offers a different look and a milder cocoa flavour.
Can You Make Earthquake Cake In Advance?
Earthquake cake can be useful for entertaining as it does not require complicated last minute decorating. The finished dessert has its own distinctive appearance.
It may set up a little more as it cools, especially around the areas of cream cheese. This might make it easier to cut the cake into portions than if it is cut right out of the oven.
That cake typically has a big cream cheese filling, and so it should be refrigerated and not treated like a traditional shelf-stable chocolate cake.
If you’re making it for a party, it’s easier to store and transport in the original baking dish. It also helps to protect the uneven top from damage.
Traditional Earthquake Cake Storage
Keep earthquake cake with cream cheese filling covered in the refrigerator. Leftovers stored in the refrigerator should be consumed within three to four days.
Texture will change when chilled. The cream cheese areas firm up, and the chocolate cake might seem denser than when it was first baked.
You can freeze sometimes but the filling changes consistency sometimes when frozen. To ensure the best quality, protect individual servings from air and freezer burn.
Don’t let the cake sit out at room temperature for too long, especially at a warm-weather party.
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Fashioned Earthquake Cake
Why did my earthquake cake fall in the middle?
The cream cheese filling will cause some unevenness. However, a center that is too wet or contains raw cake batter may suggest underbaking or incorrect proportions. The cake should look rustic, but not rely on an underbaked center for its tenderness.
Does earthquake cake require frosting?
Generally, no. The cream cheese filling makes it rich and sweet enough that it doesn’t need any more frosting on top. The traditional presentation has a plain cracked surface.
Can I make earthquake cake without the coconut?
You can make a version without coconut but if you take out a lot of it, the texture will change and the other ingredients won’t be distributed properly. If you don’t like coconut, the most obvious answer is a recipe that is designed without it.
Can I use a chocolate cake batter from scratch?
Yes, in a recipe created for homemade batter. However, a regular chocolate cake recipe may have a different density and moisture content than a boxed cake mix. Those differences affect the way the filling settles, so you won’t always get the same result when you substitute directly.
More Easy Cake Recipes with Chocolate
If you enjoy the rich texture that earthquake cake offers, then you should try chocolate poke cake as well. It’s also a cake with a moist filling, but the filling is added in a different manner.
Chocolate sheet cake is the easiest thing to serve to a crowd. Or, get the same flavour combo in a more traditional presentation with a chocolate cream cheese cake.
Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until blended.
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Pour half of the chocolate batter into a greased baking dish.
- Spoon cream cheese mixture over the batter, then sprinkle shredded coconut and chopped pecans (if using).
- Top with remaining chocolate batter.
- Bake for about 40 minutes or until the top is set and looks cracked.
- Allow the cake to cool for a bit before serving directly from the baking dish.
