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Pumpkin Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 90 reviews
  • Author: Hugo
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

Pumpkin Earthquake Cake is a luscious, marbled dessert combining rich pumpkin spice cake with a creamy swirled cream cheese layer and melty chocolate chips. Perfect for fall gatherings, this cake offers moist, spiced pumpkin flavor enhanced by a smooth, sweet cream cheese swirl and bursts of chocolate. Easy to prepare in a single baking dish, it’s a delightful way to celebrate the season’s best flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Cake Batter

  • 13.25 ounce (1 box) spice cake mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup milk
  • 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided)

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure the cake won’t stick and will bake evenly.
  2. Make the pumpkin cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the spice cake mix, eggs, softened butter, milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the batter is smooth and well combined.
  3. Pour batter into pan: Pour the pumpkin batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula to create a smooth layer.
  4. Add chocolate chips: Sprinkle half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the pumpkin batter to add bursts of chocolate flavor inside the cake.
  5. Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Then add the melted butter and powdered sugar, mixing until combined into a creamy, sweet swirl mixture.
  6. Layer cream cheese mixture: Dollop the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pumpkin cake batter in the pan with a spoon.
  7. Create marbled effect: Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the pumpkin batter, creating a marble pattern for beautiful presentation and flavor blending.
  8. Top with remaining chocolate chips: Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly on top of the swirled cake batter for extra chocolatey richness on the surface.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly, indicating moistness.
  10. Cool and serve: Remove the baking dish and let the cake cool at least 30 minutes before slicing to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld nicely.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy mixture.
  • Do not overbake; the center should be slightly jiggly when you take it out to ensure moist and tender cake.
  • Use full-fat pumpkin puree for best texture and flavor.
  • This cake can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • For an extra festive touch, sprinkle chopped nuts or drizzle caramel sauce over the cooled cake.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Pumpkin cake, cream cheese swirl, chocolate chips, autumn dessert, holiday cake, marbled cake

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Find it online: https://flavorsbyhugo.com/pumpkin-earthquake-cake-recipe/