Ingredients
To make this delicious Pumpkin Earthquake Cake, you’ll need three main components: the cake base, the cream cheese filling, and the chocolate chip topping. Here’s everything you need to gather before you get started.
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 g) spice cake mix: This provides the cake base, already flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- 3 large eggs, room temperature: Eggs add structure and moisture to the cake, so ensure they’re at room temperature for better mixing.
- 1 cup (245 g) pure pumpkin: The star ingredient! Adds moisture and a wonderful fall flavor.
- ¾ cup (187.5 g) water: Helps to mix the dry ingredients into a smooth batter.
- ½ cup (109 g) vegetable oil: Adds tenderness and moisture to the cake.
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar: Enhances the sweetness and complements the pumpkin flavor.
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice: Boosts the warm and cozy autumn flavor profile.
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature: The creamy and tangy filling that swirls into the cake.
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness to the filling.
- 3 cups (375 g) confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling to perfection.
Topping Ingredients
- ½ cup (61 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips: Sprinkled on top for a delightful chocolate finish.
Instructions
1. Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure your cake doesn’t stick.
2. Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, water, oil, granulated sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the melted butter, and then the confectioners’ sugar, mixing until fully combined and smooth. The filling should be thick but pourable.
4. Swirl the Cream Cheese into the Cake Batter
Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the top of the cake batter. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese through the batter, creating a marbled effect.
5. Add the Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the cake.
6. Bake the Cake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Be careful not to overbake to keep the cake moist.
7. Cool and Serve
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan. This cake is best served warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a festive touch, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert