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Slice of Easy Strawberry Earthquake Cake with cream cheese swirl and strawberry topping

Easy Strawberry Earthquake Cake — Cream Cheese Swirl

A soft, gooey cake with a creamy cheesecake swirl and strawberry flavor, perfect for those low-energy days when you need an easy yet impressive dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients
  • 1 box Strawberry cake mix Plus the eggs, oil, and water as per box instructions.
  • 2 large Eggs As required by the cake mix.
  • 1/2 cup Oil As required by the cake mix.
  • 1 cup Water As required by the cake mix.
Cream Cheese Swirl
  • 8 oz Cream cheese, softened Leave out for 30-45 minutes to soften.
  • 1/2 cup Powdered sugar To sweeten the cream cheese mixture.
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Butter, melted For added richness.
  • 1/2 cup Optional: white chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips For added flavor.
  • 1 cup Optional: sliced strawberries for serving Especially good during spring and summer.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven as instructed on the cake mix box.
  2. Prepare a baking pan with a light spray and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil, and water according to package instructions.
  4. In another bowl, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Baking
  1. Pour the strawberry cake batter into the prepared baking pan.
  2. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
  3. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the batter to create a marbled effect.
  4. Bake as per the instructions on the cake mix box, usually around 25-45 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
Serving
  1. Allow the cake to cool before slicing to maintain the swirl's integrity.
  2. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, chilled with whipped topping, or with fresh strawberries.

Notes

For best results, use softened cream cheese, avoid overbaking, and allow to cool before cutting for clean slices. Store leftovers in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese.