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King Cake Earthquake Cake Recipe

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5 from 127 reviews

This King Cake Earthquake Cake is a festive and indulgent dessert inspired by the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake. It features a crunchy pecan base topped with moist yellow cake batter and a creamy cinnamon-vanilla cream cheese layer. Finished with a sweet glaze and colorful Mardi Gras sugar sprinkles, it’s perfect for celebrations or anytime you want a slice of Southern charm.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Cake

  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients required on box to prepare cake batter)

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

Glaze

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 3 to 4 Tbsp milk

Decoration

  • Yellow, purple, and green sugar sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Add Pecans: Evenly sprinkle the chopped pecans across the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crunchy base layer for the cake.
  3. Prepare Cake Batter: Follow the directions on your yellow cake mix box to prepare the cake batter, then pour it evenly over the pecans in the pan.
  4. Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add 2½ cups powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue mixing until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
  5. Layer Cream Cheese Mixture: Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter layer in the pan but do not stir it in. This will create the signature ‘earthquake’ effect as it bakes.
  6. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out mostly clean (beware of the cream cheese layer).
  7. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan before glazing.
  8. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1½ cups powdered sugar with 3 to 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable. Adjust milk quantity for desired glaze consistency.
  9. Glaze and Decorate: Pour the glaze evenly over the cooled cake and immediately sprinkle generously with yellow, purple, and green sugar sprinkles to create the Mardi Gras color theme.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened to ensure a smooth cream cheese mixture.
  • Do not stir the cream cheese layer into the cake batter; it should sit on top to create the marble effect.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
  • You can substitute milk with cream or a milk alternative for the glaze if desired.
  • The colorful sugar sprinkles give this cake its festive appeal, but regular coarse sugar can be used if needed.

Keywords: King Cake, Earthquake Cake, Mardi Gras dessert, yellow cake, cream cheese frosting, pecan cake, festive cake recipe

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/king-cake-earthquake-cake-recipe/