Description

A fun and easy birthday dessert featuring a yellow cake mix base topped with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips. As it bakes, the cake rises and splits open, creating a dramatic ‘earthquake’ effect with a gooey, fruity center.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (15.25 oz / 432g) yellow cake mix
1 cup (240ml) cold water
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup (170g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed (optional)
Extra strawberries for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly to about 1 inch thick.
Sprinkle diced strawberries evenly over the batter, then scatter chocolate chips on top. Do not mix in.
Bake in the center of the oven for 35-40 minutes. The top should crack and rise around the 20-minute mark.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs.
Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes to allow the structure to set.
Top with whipped topping and extra strawberry slices before serving.

Notes

For the best earthquake effect, ensure the oven is fully preheated and do not overmix the batter. If using frozen strawberries, thaw and drain them thoroughly to prevent a soggy cake. The cake is best served at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 square
Calories: 350
Sugar: 38
Sodium: 320
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 52
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4

Keywords: strawberry earthquake cake, birthday dessert, easy cake recipe, chocolate chip cake, strawberry dessert, fun baking, crowd-pleaser dessert