Dessert

King Cake Earthquake Cake Recipe

ByHugo Harnd February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

Introduction

King Cake Earthquake Cake is a delightful twist on the traditional Mardi Gras treat, layering rich flavors and festive colors in every bite. This easy-to-make dessert combines moist yellow cake, a creamy cinnamon cream cheese layer, and a colorful glaze for a celebration-worthy finale.

A square slice of earthquake king cake sits on a white plate, showing three clear layers: a bottom golden-brown crust with a chunky filling, a thick middle layer of soft yellow cake, and a top layer of smooth white icing sprinkled with bright yellow, purple, and green sugar crystals in a random pattern. The icing slightly drips down the sides, highlighting the moist texture. The plate rests on a white marbled surface decorated with shiny, colorful Mardi Gras bead necklaces in gold, purple, and green hues. In the background, there is a glass baking dish holding the rest of the brightly colored cake. A gold fork lies beside the slice on the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup chopped pecans
1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients required to make the cake)
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, divided
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
3 to 4 Tbsp milk
Yellow, purple, and green sugar for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350ºF and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Step 2: Evenly sprinkle the chopped pecans in the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3: Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the package directions, then pour the batter over the pecans in the pan.
Step 4: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add 2½ cups of powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt and blend until creamy and well combined.
Step 5: Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
Step 6: Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 7: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan.
Step 8: Whisk together the remaining 1½ cups of powdered sugar with 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth to make the glaze.
Step 9: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled cake, then sprinkle generously with yellow, purple, and green sugar to finish.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the pan.
Use full-fat cream cheese and butter for the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
Experiment with adding a tablespoon of rum extract to the glaze for a festive twist.
If you can’t find Mardi Gras colored sugar, sprinkle with colored sanding sugar or finely chopped candied fruit.

Storage

Store the King Cake Earthquake Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. If desired, microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds to warm the cream cheese layer slightly.

How to Serve

A clear glass baking dish holds a single-layer cake covered in smooth, white icing that has colorful sugar sprinkles scattered across it in bright patches of yellow, green, and purple. The cake's light golden-brown edges are visible just beneath the icing. The background is a white marbled texture, enhancing the bright colors of the sprinkled sugar on top. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Just add the glaze and colored sugar right before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant.

What if I don’t have yellow, purple, and green sugar?

You can substitute with any colored sanding sugar or even rainbow sprinkles for a fun look. Plain powdered sugar can be dusted on top if you prefer a simple finish.