Description
A cozy fall dessert combining pumpkin spice cake with a rich cream cheese swirl that creates a signature ‘earthquake’ effect. Moist, gooey, and full of autumn flavor, it’s perfect for gatherings or a seasonal treat at home.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz / about 432 g) spice cake mix with pudding in the mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) canned 100% pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups (approx. 375 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (about 90 g) milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
- Optional: ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or spray a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, pumpkin puree, water, oil, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
- If using coconut and pecans, sprinkle them evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Pour the cake batter over the coconut and pecans (if used).
- In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until creamy.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter. Swirl with a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool almost completely in the pan before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Let the cake cool before slicing to avoid overly soft pieces.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 2–3 days.
- Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
- You can reduce the powdered sugar in the filling for a less sweet version.
- The ‘cracks’ on top are a signature feature — not a flaw.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
