It has a cream cheese filling baked right in.

you could assemble it all at once in a trusty 9x13 and pop the pan in the oven.

Each bite is well-balanced with a variety of flavors and textures without being overly sweet.

close-up of earthquake cake slice on a small plate and in the background, more cake in the pyrex dish

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

It has a flavor profile similar to aGerman chocolate cake, but with a cream cheese upgrade.

Why is it called Earthquake Cake?

I like to wait about one hour before cutting a slice and digging in.

earthquake cake in a glass pyrex dish (close-up of cross section)

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

In a small bowl, mix the shredded coconut and chopped pecans together.

Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared cake pan.

Mix in the melted butter and vanilla extract.

overhead shot of earthquake cake in pyrex dish

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

Set the mixture aside.

Mix until the mixture is free of any large clumps.

chopped pecan and shredded coconuts in a pyrex dish for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Mix in the eggs and oil, and then mix in the milk and vanilla extract until just combined.

Stir in the hot water.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan over the coconut-pecan mixture.

cream cheese filling whisked together in a bowl using a handmixer for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Using a spoon, scoop dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.

Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.

Bake the cake until the chocolate cake is fully cooked, 40 to 50 minutes.

chocolate cake batter whisked together with a handmixer for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

A toothpick inserted into the chocolate cake edges should come out clean.

The cream cheese pockets should be set (not liquidy) but still jiggly.

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 1 to 2 hours.

chocolate cake batter in a bowl with a spatula for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Serve slightly warm or wait until it has fully cooled.

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

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dollops of cream cheese filling added to chocolate batter in the pyrex dish for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

cream cheese filling swirled into the chocolate cake batter and topped with chocolate chips for earthquake cake recipe

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

baked earthquake cake in a pyrex dish

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen