Description
Pumpkin Earthquake Cake is a moist, flavorful fall dessert featuring a rich pumpkin-infused yellow cake swirled with a creamy, sweet cheesecake filling and topped with crunchy nuts. Perfect for cozy gatherings, this cake blends warm spices, pumpkin puree, and a luscious cream cheese topping, resulting in a delightful mix of textures and flavors that evoke the essence of autumn.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing and flouring it to prevent sticking.
- Make Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a silky cheesecake filling.
- Assemble Cake: Pour the pumpkin cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake filling over the top of the batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cheesecake filling into the cake batter, creating a marbled effect. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the dish for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- You can substitute the chopped pecans or walnuts with other nuts or leave them out entirely to suit your preference or allergies.
- Be sure not to overmix the batter once combined to keep the cake tender and moist.
- For a more intense pumpkin flavor, consider adding 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice in addition to cinnamon and nutmeg.
- This cake keeps well for up to 3 days when wrapped tightly and stored in the refrigerator.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.