An easy, decadent chocolate cake recipe with pecans, coconut, chocolate chips and an ooey-gooey cream cheese frosting explosion that cracks the cake apart - hence the name!
Photos updated November 2024 - original photos can be found at the bottom of the page (so you know you found your way back to your favorite recipe!)
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- JUMP TO THE RECIPE
- 7 REASONS I LOVE THIS RECIPE
- A FEW COOKING NOTES WORTH READING
- MORE CAKE MIX RECIPES TO TRY!
Mama’s been making this cake for as long as I can remember. It is a family favorite and the best part is that it's super easy to throw together!
The traditional version doesn't have chocolate chips but I just love adding them on top because they're gorgeous and well, you can never have to much chocolate!
We make this the original way - with pecans and coconut - but you can absolutely omit either. You can also use other nuts if you prefer them.
7 REASONS I LOVE THIS RECIPE
- It's made with a cake mix which means it's quick and easy.
- The cream cheese mixture tastes VERY MUCH like cheesecake (yassssss!)
- You don't have to frost it because it frosts itself from the inside out.
- It's just cool. The way the cake splits apart and bursts open is literally like an earthquake.
- It doesn't have to be refrigerated (big PLUS for me!)
- It can be made in a disposable pan so it's great when you need to take a dessert somewhere.
- I looooove the combination of chocolate, coconut and pecans!
You may notice some odd comments way down below. When I first published this recipe back in 2013 I made casual notations for people who wanted to change up the ingredients.
People who don't like coconut seem to feel very strongly about it so I wrote if you HATE coconut, try the "haters" version which doesn't have any.
When read in context with everything else, it was funny. Or supposed to be. But you know how the internet is. Evidently folks who passionately hate coconut also struggle with satire. So I deleted all my old text and just offer the one version now with notes about omitting what you don't like.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR EARTHQUAKE CAKE
- Chocolate Cake Mix
- Eggs, Oil & Water (for cake mix)
- Chopped Pecans
- Butter
- Cream Cheese
- Powdered Sugar
- Chocolate Chips
A FEW NOTES ON MAKING IT
- Make your dollops of the cream cheese mixture BIG (about 8 heaping tablespoons) to ensure they burst up through the cake.
- Get this into the oven AS SOON AS you throw everything together so ensure you get the "earthquake" effect.
- Make sure your oven is preheated before you start assembling things so it's ready to go when you are ready to bake.
- There's a lot of wiggle room on how much pecans, coconut and chocolate chips to use. You can use LESS pecans and coconut (half of either) and you can use MORE chocolate chips (up to 2 cups).
- Feel free to omit the pecans or coconut if you just absolutely don't like one or the other.
- You can skip the chocolate chips. The original recipe doesn't include them.
- Consider using cooled black coffee instead of water when you make the cake mix.
MORE CAKE MIX RECIPES TO TRY!
WHITE CHOCOLATE BERRY BUNDT CAKE - An easy, absolutely DELICIOUS recipe for tender white chocolate cake with a berry swirl based on Nothing Bundt Cakes famous White Chocolate Raspberry cake.
CHERRY DANISH CAKE - An easy semi-homemade cake recipe dotted with cherry pie filling, drizzled with sour cream icing and topped with slivered almonds.
WHITE WINE CAKE - Brown sugar, cinnamon and white wine transform an ordinary cake mix into an indulgent, super moist bundt soaked in a simple wine glaze.
BLACK BOTTOM CUPCAKES - A shortcut recipe for classic black bottom cupcakes filled with chocolate chip cream cheese filling very much like a self-frosting cupcake stuffed with cheesecake!
PISTACHIO CAKE - This easy retro cake mix recipe uses pistachio pudding in the cake AND in the frosting for tons of pistachio flavor and a super moist cake.
HONEY BUN CAKE - An easy cake recipe with all the classic flavors of a honey bun (including that signature white icing!) made with a doctored up cake mix, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Recipe for How to Cook Earthquake Cake
Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 8-oz pack cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- Eggs, oil and water for cake mix
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 3-quart 13x9 baking pan with cooking spray. Scatter pecans and coconut evenly over bottom of pan. 1 c. pecans, 2 c. coconut
- Combine melted butter and cream cheese in a mixing bowl then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. 1/2 c. butter, 8 oz cream cheese
- Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low until smooth and creamy. Set aside. 3 c. powdered sugar
- Prepare cake batter per manufacturer’s instructions then pour into pan over pecans and coconut.
- Dollop heaping tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly onto cake batter.
- Sprinkle cake with chocolate chips then immediately bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until set. 1 c. chocolate chips
Notes
- Make your dollops of the cream cheese mixture BIG (about 8 heaping tablespoons) to ensure they burst up through the cake.
- Get this into the oven AS SOON AS you throw everything together so ensure you get the "earthquake" effect.
- Make sure your oven is preheated before you start assembling things so it's ready to go when you are ready to bake.
- Other tips and suggestions are listed in the post above the recipe card.
ORIGINAL PHOTOS FROM 2013
This cake looks like it could be detrimental to my diet -- therefore, I must make it immediately! I hope it's as good as it looks!! BTW -- I'm going with Everybody in the pool -- cuz that's how I roll!!
ReplyDeleteValerie, I like your way of thinking!!
DeleteI stumbled across your blog and am loving these recipe ideas – especially some of the snacks! I have a son with peanut and egg allergies so I am super excited to try this brownie recipe! Thank you!
DeleteThis sounds amazing! Gooey, Coconut, Chocolate, And Cream Cheese?!?!! Just stop it right now!!!
ReplyDeleteLuTina :D
I love this cake, but have always made it with german chocolate cake mix. Chocolate chips sound like a great addition!
ReplyDeleteYum! I’m trying it with the German chocolate
DeleteThis looks so so good! I LOVE coconut, DH does not like it though (just the texture). :P I bet it would be super duper yummy w/coconut oil! Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteYummy cake...thanks for reminding me to make it!!
ReplyDeleteOkay it is my turn to make the cake also
DeleteI am making this yummy cake right now . Thanks for the recipe:0
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy I love coconut and nuts also chocolate chips so the everything way will be my way to roll for the next pot luck as I have a diabetic hubby!!!
ReplyDeleteI'M ONE OF THE "HATERS"--PROLLY THE BIGGEST ONE--FOR BEING "QUENNLY" ONE WOULD THINK I LIKE EVERYTHING...WELL, NOT SO MUCH (FOR INSTANCE I WON'T EAT PEAS AS THEY LOOK LIKE LITTLE EYES LOOKING BACK AT YOU) BUT THE HATERS CAKE SOUNDS WONDERFUL WHICH IS WIERD AS I DON'T GENERALLY LIKE CAKE EITHER BUT WILL BREAK DOWN AND MAKE THIS ONE...HER ROYAL HIGHNESS JOHNMARY (I ELECTED MYSELF QUEEN OF EVERYTHING AND WON IN A LANDSLIDE ELECTION...THE ELECTORATE BEING MY EVIL TWIN AND ME--AND NO, I DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE A TWIN..OR FOR THAT MATTER..A BRAIN ;D
ReplyDeletewhat exactly is the cream cheese mixture? looks too good!!
ReplyDeleteIn the recipe it says to combine the cream cheese, melted butter and the powdered sugar...that is the cream cheese mixture......
DeleteJust read the instructions on how to make it. That will explain what is in the cream cheese.
DeleteIt's actually cream cheese frosting. The same one I use for my red velvet cake.
DeleteI'll have to go the "Hater's way" for my daughters BD in a week!
ReplyDelete"Hater's Way", way to go. Not fond of coconut. Love Hate-er's.
DeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI need to make it soon!
the picturie shows chocolate chips in the cake but I dont see it in your directions on making the cake??I guess you add them right befor you bake the cake??
ReplyDeleteThe second two variations have the chocolate chips in the instructions.
DeleteThis looks sinfully delicious and I am going for the coconut and pecans!
ReplyDeleteI made this cake for my family. They loved it. So I made it two days later for my co-workers.one word....DELICIOUS!
ReplyDeleteWhat brand/type of cake mix do you use? We used Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge cake mix.
ReplyDeleteI think I used the one from Aldi when I made the one pictured above. I think.
DeleteThank you for posting the "hater's" version....I am one of those...it is funny that I love Pina Coladas though. It actually is a texture thing for me. I might try making it with coconut oil like someone suggested or not...hmm...dunno yet.
ReplyDeleteI found this blog by accident... I'm in so much trouble!! This is going to be a love-hate relationship, I can see that. Mandy Rivers, you are a Goddess gone bad. :)
ReplyDeleteHA! I'm putting that on a t-shirt!
DeleteI guess I am going to have to use chips instead of pecans because I have inexplicably developed a nut allergy!! Peanuts,pecans,walnuts and almonds!! So, I love how this looks and will try with coconut and chips; will let you know how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteCHILD!!!! this is a CAKE! I will make this for my next family reunion.... sounds incredible!!
ReplyDeleteTry using a different flavor of cake mix. Used Carrot cake omitted the coconut. Turned out great!
ReplyDeleteI love the carrot cake idea! The cream cheese frosting would be built right in! I would keep the nuts and coconut, but I usually put both in my carrot cake anyway.
DeleteRed Velvet?
DeleteOK - What if you are a "partial" hater. I can't stand Coconut flakes, but I love the idea of pecans. I guess Version 2, minus the Coconut would work?
ReplyDeleteHi! I had Earthquake Cake for the first time yesterday at the Lewisburg Taste of Our Town festival. The Rudy's Corner Grill folks had it for sale at their booth and it was THE BEST cake ever. Ohhhh so good! I'm going to try your traditional recipe because coconut rocks. Thank you!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMary Jean from FromYoToYall.blogspot.com
This looks and sounds YUMMY! I'm putting it in my "just sounds yummy" recipe box! Thanks for sharing on WEekend Potluck!
ReplyDeleteI made it for my Life group tonight gave my husband a sample he loves it I made it with pecans and coconut.
ReplyDeletei just made this and it looks yummy. but i did not notice when i bought my cake mix that it had pudding in it. it was printed in small letters on the bottom of front so i did not see it until i put my glasses on today. my mix did appear to be a little thin and as the cake is cooling the creamy mix seems to be sinking. the choc. chips are still on top though. would not have bought a pudding mix if i had been able to read that small print on the box. used to be at the top of the box in bigger letters. don't know why they want to hide that fact now.
ReplyDeleteI use cake mixes with pudding in them for this recipe. They turn out great!
DeleteI made this cake (Everybody in the pool version, of course) last week for a big meeting at work. I used cold black coffee, coconut oil instead of vegetable and made sure to get a German Chocolate cake mix without pudding (THANKS to the comments!!!) I didn't spread the cream cheese mix over the cake mix, just dropped in in huge dollops here and there... It turned out so ugly and perfect, and was a hit with the crowd! My husband made me promise to make it again without nuts for him.
ReplyDeleteA word of warning, though.... mine bubbled up over the sides of the 9x13 dish and made a helluva mess in the bottom of the oven. Be sure and put a sheet of aluminum foil down to catch the overflow!
Thanks for your comment. This is the 2nd time to make. First was absolute mess in oven..so tonight only used half of the cream cheese mixture. Still had a small bit of run over but nothing like first time. Was beginning to think it was just me. LOL
DeleteDifferent size cake mix. Similar recipe said 18 1/2 oz cake micbut now 131/2oz do guess depends what size you have?
DeleteI've made it twice. First time in glass 9x13 casserole dish no problem. Made it today using 9x13 cake pan and it ran over and smoked up the stove and house but still very good
DeleteInteresting about the cream cheese mixture. The recipe that I have made for years does not require the butter to be melted, just mix the butter, cream cheese and 1 lb of powder sugar together and drop by spoonfuls on top of the cake batter. I also use a German Chocolate cake mix. Never had an overflow problem. Might have to try this with the melted butter in the cream cheese mixture.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma used to make this cake for special occasions so I made it for my mother in law's birthday and it was a hit! Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI make a very similar cake, I make a "from scratch" mayonnaise cake then mix cream cheese, egg and sugar together and swirl into cake then top with chocolate chips before you bake it..no frosting needed. Its moist and oh so good. It's awesome and everyone loves it
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is awesome made it for church social...everyone loved it and asked for the recipe...made everybody in the pool...thank you voodoo much for the recipe....
ReplyDeleteI would love to make this for a work party but I have a co-worker that is gluten intolerant. could I make it gluten free?
ReplyDeleteI am gluten intolerant. You can find gluten free cake mixes at Aldi and other grocery stores. I have used those mixes in other recipes. It would be worth trying. It is a great pleasure whenever someone bakes something gluten free for me.
DeleteI've been making this cake using German chocolate cake mix for 20 years but now I
ReplyDeletecan t find that cake mix. I also make a vanilla cake mix omit the coconut and pecans. Make the cream cheese etc. Dollops on top. This is really good.
I will make this, practice making this until it's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI kept watching it and then at the very end, it ran over a little bit. Maybe because I used a glass pan? Anyway, next time planning on trying with a brownie mix.
ReplyDeleteim not a nut hater i love nuts they just don't love me back... as in make me deathly ill coconut included. thank you for the second variation.
ReplyDeleteDoes this need to be refrigerated after making?
ReplyDeleteNo, just store in an airtight container.
DeleteWow Girl! I've made Earthquake Cake...I've eaten it made by others as well, but I've never seen one as gooey and luscious looking as this photo! YUUMMMM! Thanks for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Mandy! This recipe received most clicks at last week's Weekend Potluck party. Keep 'em comin Gal! Thanks so much for your faithfulness to share with us.
ReplyDeleteI"d like to try that with walnuts too.
ReplyDeleteI cant figure out how to add this recipe to my collection that comes up (I don't remember putting anything there, but I must have!) I don't want to lose this recipe, I plan to make it over and over again, starting with our church potluck tomorrow!! They love my chocolate cakes, so I'm going to take it up a notch!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't like coconut. Can you add pecans to the "hater's" version?
ReplyDeleteGetting ready to pull out of oven!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mandy,
ReplyDeleteFirst time on your site, I can't wait to surprise my friends with this Earthquake Cake, never seen this before n it looks so YUMMY, us Chocolate Ladies lovers are gonna' love this one, thanks. I am really enjoying your site and getting new ideas for the family...
Regards,
Kathey Parris (BERMUDA)
katparris@northrock.bm
I made this today and it looks and tastes really good .. I have a question .. is the coconut and nuts suppose to stay on the bottom or do they rise and blend with the rest of the mixture ?.. Mine just stayed at the bottom
ReplyDeleteTry mixing the pecans with the chocolate cake, and the coconut with the cream cheese mixture - it all mixes very nicely and none is wasted at the bottom of the cake pan :)
DeleteThank you Eleanore,. I had the same thing happen. The first time I made it, the coconut and pecans were on the bottom and did not get incorporated into the cake The second time I made it I put the cake layer down then the coconut and pecan on top of that then the cream cheese mixture and the same thing happened again, just on top of the cake but still not incorporated in. The next time I was just going to mix it all together, but I like the idea of the nuts with the chocolate and the coconut with the cream cheese! Thanks!
DeleteI made this with a german chocolate cake mix, dark chocolate chips and I used coconut oil instead of butter. Dangerously yummy!
ReplyDeletevery nice and delicious
ReplyDeleteThis was featured on Brandi's blog - The Country Cook - and looked so yummy I've printed out the recipe so I can make the "Almost" Everyone in the pool version. I have to leave out the pecans due to a nut allergy but the rest sounds so yummy. I can't wait to try it out. E :)
ReplyDeleteElysabeth Eldering
Author
FINALLY HME, a Kelly Watson YA paranormal mystery
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
I remember having this at belterra casino in Kentucky..never had it since. But I am movimpng to Ohio in two weeks. I think this is the first thing I am gonna try. O my gosh. Is my tongue ready. Thank you. I will let ya all know how it went.
ReplyDeleteOh yea I have auto correct on this thing and when I am typing it thinks I mean something else and prints my word and its word together. Sometimes I don't even know what I said. Gosh...
ReplyDeleteI just pulled this out of the oven and man, oh, man! It smells and looks amazing! Thanks so much for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI've made this cake many times, usually the traditional way. However one day, I decided to go the Hater's Way, baked the cake, then put the traditional coconut pecan icing on top. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love checking out all these awesome recipes. I'm not creative in the kitchen, so I love a good recipe! So many really good recipes have cream cheese in them. My family likes it, but I just don't care for it! What could possibly be a subsitute for cream cheese?
ReplyDeleteHi Mandy, I have been making this cake forever but just called it German Chocolate Upside Down cake, didn't know there was another name for it - but no matter what it's called it is delicious and I am getting ready to make another one to take to my family reunion. Thanks for the other versions - I may try to make one without the coconut for my daughter who does not like the texture and doesn't like nuts. I think anything with this cream cheese mixture in it has to be a winner!
ReplyDeleteI received this recipe as "Upside down german chocolate cake" about 20 years or so ago. Have been making it for almost every birthday in the family since then with devils food cake mix. My family loves it! Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteNever saw this recipe before but it sounds and LOOKS amazing!!!! I bake for a club I belong today, guess what they are getting next Monday night :). Thanks SO MUCH for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI just had my first piece of "earthquake cake" today at lunch from an Amish Deli (not kidding). It was "knock your socks off" good. So I had to look up the recipe when I got back to work. I will be making this, it is incredibly moist and tasty. Wow, I love your site!!! RAM
ReplyDeleteDelicious. Just doesn't last around here. I use German chocolate mix. I always sub butter and buttermilk in the mixes I use for the oil and water. Did the same here. No complaints. Thank you for your site.
ReplyDeleteI made this yesterday for Father's Day. Man, oh man, is it fantastic! My 28 year old nephew said I can make it for him anyday! My 14 year old daughter, who is a very picky eater, loves it and is having a piece for breakfast this morning. She wants me to make it again very soon. I used a dark chocolate cake mix and made the everyone in the pool version and baked it in a glass pan (didn't run over). It took forever to cook all the way in the middle -- maybe 20 minutes extra -- but was well worth the wait. It would be awesome served warm with a scoop of yummy vanilla ice cream.
ReplyDeleteMade this today...it is good, however if I make again, I will combine the nuts and coconut with the cake mix. Layering them on the bottom left them there. They did not scoop out well with the cake!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried this in a bundt cake pan? If so does the baking time and temperature change?
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if it would work in a bundt pan also. I've made everybody in the pool version and it is amazing. Would like to vary the pan for special occasions though.
DeleteMy daughter and hubby got into a debate over what kind of cake to have for HER birthday a few years back. He wanted me to make an earthquake cake, she wanted me to make a strawberry cake. So I compromised and made a Strawberry Earthquake Cake.
ReplyDeleteWith a thick Graham cracker crust (she hates nuts and coconut), strawberry cake mix, cream cheese mix (as per usual), with white chocolate chips...
...now we make it every year for her birthday!
I'd live to
Deletetry this variation!
This cake was delicious but the cream cheese mixture blended into the cake, didn't stay separate. Not sure what I did wrong. I did mix the pecans and coconut into the batter as someone else suggested. It was still good and moist, just didn't have any white.
ReplyDeleteDare I say why ruin this with nuts? LOL! (I just can't eat them.) But it sounds good, and I WILL keep the coconut in, and the chocolate chips. :-) Love anything with a cream cheese type frosting.
ReplyDeleteI've been making this for over 20 years and as usual, it didn't disappoint. Made with nuts and coconut. YUMMY YUMMY
ReplyDeleteI didn't have coconut, nuts, or chocolate chips... but I did have one of those fancy ghirardelli chocolate candy bars. I chopped it up and sprinkled it over the cake (fudge flavored) and cream cheese. It's in the oven now. Fingers crossed and prayers said 😁. Thank you so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteDo you eat this cake warm, room temp or cold? How do you store leftovers?
ReplyDeleteI don’t like chocolate. But I made this recipe knowing everyone else does. I now like chocolate! This cake is amazing!!!! And to the person that asked about how to store leftovers….what leftovers? You’ll eat them! lol.. This is truly the best cake ever!!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDelete