Go Back
Close-up of Strawberry Earthquake Cake Recipe by Zaika Menu showing cream cheese lava pockets.
zaikamenuteam

Strawberry Earthquake Cake Recipe by Zaika Menu

The 10,001% viral 2026 dessert trend! A moist strawberry cake with a "Lava" center of cream cheese and white chocolate chips that creates "Earthquake" cracks while baking. No frosting needed!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Course: Dessert, Cake
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Mediterranean
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
1 box (15.25 oz) Strawberry Cake Mix
0.5 cup Fresh Strawberry Puree
3 large Eggs
1 cup Water
0.33 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup White Chocolate Chips
1 cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts
8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened)
0.5 cup Unsalted Butter (Melted)
2 cups Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch Baking Pan
  • Electric Hand Mixer 
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Spatula
  • Measuring Cups

Method
 

Instructions
    Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
      Base Layer: Sprinkle the chopped pecans and white chocolate chips evenly at the bottom of the pan.
        Batter: In a large bowl, mix the strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and fresh strawberry puree until smooth. Pour this over the nuts and chips.
          Lava Mix: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
            Create Earthquakes: Drop large dollops of the cream cheese mixture onto the cake batter. Do NOT swirl or mix; let them sit on top.
              Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes. The cake will rise and crack around the cream cheese, creating the "Earthquake" effect.
                Cool: Let the cake cool completely for at least 2 hours before slicing so the lava pockets can set.

                  Video

                  Notes

                  Recipe Notes
                  • Zaika Menu Secret: Always use room-temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in your lava pockets. For the best "Earthquake" cracks, don't over-mix the cream cheese into the batter!