Irresistible Pumpkin Earthquake Cake Recipe: Fall’s Cozy Delight

Autumn’s crisp breeze carries the warmth of comfort through this irresistible pumpkin earthquake cake that promises pure dessert magic.

Layers of creamy richness cascade through each delectable slice, creating a symphony of seasonal flavors.

Unexpected cracks and delightful textures make this cake a showstopper at any gathering.

Cream cheese swirls dance between moist pumpkin layers, promising a decadent experience with every bite.

The subtle blend of spices whispers hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, elevating this dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen, tempting everyone nearby with its irresistible charm.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this mouthwatering treat that celebrates fall most beloved ingredient.

Flavor Variations for Your Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

• Gluten-Free Earthquake Cake: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this festive dessert.
• Vegan Pumpkin Delight: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free cream cheese, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar-free cake mix, replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener, and reduce powdered sugar in the cream cheese filling for a diabetic-friendly treat.
• Nutty Alternative: Switch pecans with almonds or walnuts, and add a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and nutritional boost.

Creative Ways to Serve Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

• Cozy Family Gathering Delight: Serve this warm cake with scoops of vanilla ice cream, creating a heavenly contrast between the spiced cake and cold creamy topping.
• Autumn Brunch Centerpiece: Present slices alongside hot coffee or spiced apple cider, transforming your breakfast into a festive fall celebration.
• Decadent Dessert Platter: Arrange cake squares with dollops of whipped cream, sprinkled cinnamon, and a light drizzle of caramel sauce for an elegant presentation that highlights the cake's rich flavors.
• Game Night Treat: Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces for easy sharing during family game nights or casual gatherings, letting everyone enjoy this delicious seasonal dessert.

Cake Storage Tips for Keeping It Fresh

• Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the cream cheese filling fresh and preventing spoilage.
• Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Cut the cake into individual portions before refrigerating for easier serving and to help maintain its texture.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore softness and enhance flavors.

FAQs

• What makes the cream cheese filling special in this cake?

The cream cheese filling adds a rich, tangy layer that perfectly complements the warm spices of the pumpkin cake, creating a luxurious and creamy texture throughout the dessert.

• Can I make this cake without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the pecans if you have nut allergies or simply don’t enjoy them. The cake will still be delicious and maintain its moist, flavorful profile.

• Is this recipe good for large gatherings?

Absolutely! The 9×13 inch pan makes a generous cake that can serve 12-16 people, making it ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday celebrations.

Why Pumpkin Earthquake Cake Is a Fall Favorite

• This pumpkin cake captures the warm, cozy essence of fall with its rich blend of spices and delightful textures that instantly transport you to autumn's embrace.
• Swap or add ingredients like chocolate or butterscotch chips to make the recipe uniquely yours, giving you creative freedom to experiment and personalize the dessert.
• The unexpected combination of coconut, pecans, and cream cheese creates a multilayered flavor profile that elevates this cake from ordinary to extraordinary, making every bite a delicious adventure.
• Using a cake mix as the base simplifies the process, allowing even novice bakers to create a restaurant-worthy dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.

All the Spiced Ingredients for Pumpkin Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides structure and sweetness to the cake.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, rich flavor, and autumnal character to the dessert.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's texture.

• Brown Sugar: Offers deep caramel notes and extra moisture to the cake.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Allspice: Create a warm, complex spice profile typical of fall desserts.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and deepens the overall flavor of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil, Water: Ensure the cake remains moist and tender.

• Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, rich swirl throughout the cake.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps blend the filling smoothly.

• Shredded Coconut, Chopped Pecans: Create a crunchy base and add nutty texture.
• Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips: Optional mix-ins that provide extra bursts of sweetness and flavor.

Equipment for Mixing Up a Perfect Earthquake Cake

• 9×13 inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect cake base and ensuring even baking.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cake ingredients and creating a smooth, well-mixed batter.
• Whisk: Great for blending cream cheese filling until silky and lump-free.
• Knife or toothpick: Ideal for creating beautiful swirls in the cake batter and distributing cream cheese filling.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping batter and spreading ingredients evenly.

Step-by-Step Guide for Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C) and generously coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Create a Crunchy Base

• Shredded coconut
• Chopped pecans

Set the pan aside, letting these delightful ingredients wait their turn.

Step 3: Blend the Magical Cake Mixture

• Cake mix
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Pumpkin puree
• Brown sugar
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground allspice
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Whisk everything together until the batter looks smooth and inviting.

Step 4: Layer the Base

Gently pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecan layer, creating a delicious foundation.

Step 5: Whip Up the Creamy Surprise

• Cream cheese
• Melted butter
• Powdered sugar

Step 6: Create Dreamy Swirls

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture across the cake batter.

Use a knife to create mesmerizing swirls throughout the cake.

Step 7: Add Extra Excitement

• Chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips

Gently swirl these into the batter for bursts of flavor.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

The cake is ready when the top looks set and the center has a gentle jiggle when tapped.

Step 9: Let the Cake Rest

Allow the cake to cool down, inviting all the flavors to mingle and settle.

Step 10: Store with Care

Refrigerate any leftover slices to keep the cream cheese filling fresh and delicious.

Pro Tips for Rich and Spiced Pumpkin Cake

• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the pan for deeper, richer flavor and enhanced crunchiness.
• Sprinkle coconut and pecans evenly to create a delicious, crispy base that won't become mushy during baking.
• Use a gentle figure-eight motion when swirling cream cheese to create beautiful, marbled patterns without overmixing the batter.
• Adjust powdered sugar in cream cheese filling to match your taste preference, reducing or increasing for desired sweetness level.
• Enhance pumpkin pie spice blend by adding fresh grated nutmeg or ground ginger for more complex, aromatic flavor profile.

Pumpkin Earthquake Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy pumpkin earthquake cake blends autumn spices with rich cream cheese swirls. Layers of moist cake crumble deliciously, promising a sensational dessert experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquid and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup butterscotch chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup milk

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with grease for optimal cake release.
2. Create a delectable base layer by generously sprinkling shredded coconut and chopped pecans across the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Craft the pumpkin cake batter by blending cake mix, vegetable oil, water, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, vanilla extract, and eggs until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Gently cascade the cake batter over the coconut and pecan layer, ensuring even distribution across the pan.
5. Whip together cream cheese, melted butter, and powdered sugar until achieving a silky, lump-free cream cheese filling.
6. Artfully dot spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture across the pumpkin cake batter, then use a knife to create elegant swirling patterns throughout the surface.
7. Enhance the cake’s texture by sprinkling chocolate and butterscotch chips, then delicately incorporating them into the batter with gentle swirling motions.
8. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a set top and a subtle jiggle when the pan is tapped.
9. Allow the cake to cool completely, embracing its versatility by serving warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
10. Preserve remaining slices in the refrigerator to maintain the cream cheese filling’s freshness and prevent spoilage.

Notes

• Enhance Texture by toasting coconut and pecans before sprinkling them in the pan, which deepens their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the cake’s base.
• Customize Spice Blend by adjusting pumpkin pie spice ratios or creating a homemade blend to match your personal taste preferences and make the dessert uniquely yours.
• Swap Ingredients for dietary needs by using gluten-free cake mix, dairy-free cream cheese alternatives, or replacing eggs with applesauce for a more inclusive recipe that everyone can enjoy.
• Elevate Presentation by drizzling caramel sauce, adding a dusting of powdered sugar, or garnishing with extra toasted pecans to transform this simple cake into a stunning dessert centerpiece.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 41 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg