Lemon Earthquake Cake is a dessert that starts with a layer of coconut and macadamia nuts, followed by a lemon cake and cream cheese swirl, all topped and baked with white chocolate chips. Try my Oreo Earthquake Cake and Pumpkin Earthquake Cake for a couple more varieties of an earthquake cake.
Lemon Earthquake Cake
Just like an earthquake causes the earth to shift and cause cracks in the land, this Lemon Earthquake Cake has ingredients that may move around as it is being baked and you may see cracks and crevices in the top after it’s baked. It is supposed to be a bit messy and lumpy.
How to Make a Lemon Earthquake Cake
This Earthquake Cake is so easy to make, and just like the name implies, it is bursting with flavor! If you love lemon cake and cheesecake, you get the best of both desserts in this cake. Plus, with the added nuts, coconut, and white chocolate chips, each bite is bursting with even more flavor! So, preheat the oven to 350°F, prepare a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray, and get out the ingredients you need.
- First, prepare the lemon cake batter by following the directions on the box. (But don’t bake the cake.)
- Next, layer the bottom of the sprayed pan with the coconut and macadamia nuts. You can always leave the coconut or nuts (or both) out of the recipe if you prefer.
- Then, spread the cake batter that you just prepared over the layer of coconut and nuts.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat with a mixer until combined.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the cake batter and create a marble swirl.
- Sprinkle the white chocolate chips on top and bake for 55-60 minutes. The cake is done when the center is set.
- Serve warm, and don’t forget about adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
How to Make a Cream Cheese Swirl
It’s pretty easy to get that fancy marble swirl in a cake.
- Add dollops of cream cheese on top of the lemon cake batter. They shouldn’t be uniform or pretty.
- Use a knife or skewer to make loose vertical zig-zags from one end of the pan to the other.
- Then make zig-zags in the opposite direction.
How to Store Earthquake Cake
Because of the cream cheese layer, I do recommend storing covered in the refrigerator. It should last 2-3 days.
More Earthquake Cakes
Lemon Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) lemon cake mix, mixed according to package directions
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) butter, melted
- 2½ cups (312.5g) confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- vanilla ice cream, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Prepare the cake batter according to package directions.
- Sprinkle the coconut and macadamia nuts onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread your cake batter over the top. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Beat with a mixer until combined. Dollop the mixture over the cake and use a knife to marble.
- Sprinkle white chocolate chips on top and bake for about 55-60 minutes, or until the center is set.
- Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Is this cake still good to eat at room temperature?
It’s heavenly!! I followed directions without changing anything. I baked it for 55 min. It came nice and brown on top and the dollops of the cream cheese batter creamy inside. It will definitely be made again!
I love your recipes
Has anyone made a version of this with white chocolate and raspberry?