This post may contain affiliate links.
Funfetti earthquake cake is my go to when I want a fun, gooey dessert that looks like it cracked open on purpose, a sprinkle filled cake mix base swirled with sweet cream cheese and white chocolate chips. I made this for Lizzie’s *half birthday celebration* and the girls loved the cracks and pockets of melty cheesecake in every slice. It takes about 15 minutes to put together. If you love these gooey cakes, our chocolate earthquake cake is another must try.
This funfetti earthquake cake bakes up cracked and gooey, with sweet cream cheese swirls and white chocolate chips in a colorful sprinkle cake.
Funfetti Earthquake Cake Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 45 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour
- 🍽️ Serving: 15 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 416kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet funfetti cake with gooey cream cheese swirls and white chocolate
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, about as simple as our strawberry earthquake cake
Quick Answer
Mix a box of funfetti cake mix according to the package directions and pour the batter into a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle half of the white chocolate chips over the batter. Beat softened cream cheese, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth, then mix in the powdered sugar. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the cake and swirl gently with a knife. Scatter the remaining white chocolate chips on top and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes. Let it cool, then serve warm with whipped cream and extra sprinkles if you like.
Jump to:
- Funfetti Earthquake Cake Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Funfetti Earthquake Cake
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Funfetti Earthquake Cake FAQs
- Other Recommended Easy Cake Recipes
- Funfetti Earthquake Cake
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Starts with cake mix. A box of funfetti cake mix does the flavor and color work, so this earthquake cake is quick and easy.
- Gooey cream cheese swirls. Dolloping and swirling a sweet cream cheese mixture into the batter creates those signature cracks and gooey pockets.
- White chocolate chips. Chips added top and bottom melt into creamy pockets throughout the cake.
- Fun and festive. Rainbow sprinkles make this a perfect cake for birthdays, parties, and celebrations.
- Feeds a crowd. One 9×13 pan serves 15, so there is plenty to share.
- Best served warm. Serve it warm with whipped cream and sprinkles for a gooey, crowd pleasing dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It starts with a box of funfetti cake mix, so it comes together in about 15 minutes.
- Sweet cream cheese swirls and white chocolate chips make it gooey and rich.
- It bakes up cracked and fun, just like our chocolate earthquake cake.
- Rainbow sprinkles make it perfect for birthdays and celebrations.
Key Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this funfetti earthquake cake.
- Funfetti cake mix: A boxed funfetti cake mix is the colorful, sprinkle filled base. Prepare it with the oil, eggs, and water on the box.
- White chocolate chips: Added top and bottom, they melt into creamy white chocolate pockets throughout the cake.
- Cream cheese: Softened and beaten smooth, it makes the gooey cheesecake style swirl that creates the cracks.
- Butter and vanilla: Melted butter and vanilla blend into the cream cheese for a rich, smooth swirl.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture and helps it swirl into the batter.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This earthquake cake is easy to make your own. Here are a few ideas.
- Use a chocolate or strawberry cake mix instead of funfetti for a different earthquake cake like our strawberry earthquake cake.
- Swap the white chocolate chips for semi sweet, milk chocolate, or rainbow chips.
- Add a handful of extra sprinkles to the batter for even more color.
- Drizzle the cooled cake with white chocolate or vanilla glaze.
- Top with whipped cream, ice cream, or a scoop of frosting for serving.
How to Make Funfetti Earthquake Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 pan. Mix the funfetti cake according to the package directions and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle half of the white chocolate chips evenly over the batter.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, melted butter, and vanilla until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the cake, then swirl gently with a knife.
- Scatter the remaining white chocolate chips over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve warm with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Soften the cream cheese fully so the swirl beats smooth and spreads easily over the batter.
- Do not overswirl, a few gentle swirls with a knife give you the best cracked, marbled look.
- Add chips top and bottom so you get melty white chocolate throughout the cake.
- Check at 40 minutes, the center should be set but still gooey where the cream cheese swirls are.
- Let it cool a bit before slicing so the gooey swirls set up enough to serve.
- Serve warm with whipped cream and sprinkles for the best gooey texture.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Serve funfetti earthquake cake warm, cut into squares, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a shower of rainbow sprinkles. It is the perfect fun dessert for birthdays, kid friendly parties, and celebrations of all kinds.
Set it out on a party dessert table next to our cherry dump cake or a strawberry jello cake for a colorful spread.
Because it bakes in one pan and serves warm, it is great for potlucks and gatherings. Pair it with our cream puff cake for a fun, crowd pleasing dessert duo.
Funfetti Earthquake Cake FAQs
Store funfetti earthquake cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, since it has a cream cheese swirl. Let squares come to room temperature or warm them briefly in the microwave before serving so the swirls turn gooey again. Cover it well so it stays moist.
Yes, you can bake it a day ahead. Cool it completely, cover, and refrigerate. Warm individual slices in the microwave before serving to bring back that gooey texture. Add the whipped cream and sprinkles right before serving so they look fresh.
Yes, freeze cooled cake, well wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then warm slices gently before serving. Freeze it without the whipped cream and add fresh toppings after thawing for the best presentation.
A slightly gooey center is normal for an earthquake cake, since the cream cheese swirls stay soft and molten. As long as the cake portion is baked through and set, the gooey cheesecake pockets are exactly what you want. Bake to the higher end of the time range if you prefer it a little firmer.
Absolutely. This same method works with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or lemon cake mix. Funfetti gives you the fun sprinkles and color, but any flavor makes a delicious earthquake cake. Adjust the mix ins to match your cake flavor if you like.
White chocolate chips complement the sweet funfetti flavor, but you can use semi sweet, milk chocolate, or even rainbow chips instead. Use the same amount and add them top and bottom so you get melty pockets throughout the cake.
Love gooey cakes? Make our chocolate earthquake cake next.
Funfetti Earthquake Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box funfetti cake mix plus ingredients needed to make the cake
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- whipped cream for serving optional
- sprinkles for serving optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, grease a 9×13″ pan with cooking spray, set aside.
- Mix cake according to package directions.1 box funfetti cake mix
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with half of the chocolate chips.2 cups white chocolate chips
- Mix the cream cheese, melted butter and vanilla together until combined in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Add the powdered sugar and mix until incorporated and smooth.2 cups powdered sugar
- Spoon dollops of cream cheese mixture over the cake, and swirl gently with a knife.
- Add the remaining chocolate chips on top
- Bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve warm with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.whipped cream for serving, sprinkles for serving
Notes
- Serve Warm: This cake is best served warm, so make sure to heat it up before serving.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Swirl Gently: When swirling the cream cheese mixture, be gentle to create beautiful swirls without mixing it all together.
- Toothpick Test: The toothpick test doesn’t work well for this cake because of the gooey filling. Instead, look for a golden brown, set top with a slight jiggle.
- Smaller Slices: This cake is very sweet, so smaller slices are perfect for serving.
- Add Fun Toppings: Use whipped cream and sprinkles to make the cake extra festive for special occasions.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
Follow @ThisSillyGirlsKitchen on Instagram and @danadevolk on Pinterest for more!
