When I was a very little girl my parents took me to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas to see the Dinosaur tracks in the riverbed. Ever since then I have always loved dinosaurs and studying about the Earths geological history almost to an obsessive level.
Photo By Glen J. Kuban
I had these visions of what the earth must have looked like back then with these “fearfully great lizards” roaming around eating large pre-historic ferns (well and each other), volcanos would erupting in the distance, and there were constant Earthquakes….
These statues were originally on display at the New York 1964-65 Worlds Fair.
Picture from the Texas Parks and Wildlife website
I was… Am a Science nerd and proud of it.
As a kid I didn’t go to a daycare center while my parents were at work instead I stayed at my Grandmothers. We would spend our mornings out in the garden, and mid-day usually in the kitchen cooking, canning, and baking. So being the little Dinosaur and Geology nerd that I was, imagine my excitement when my Grandmother told me one day we were going to baking an Earthquake Cake!!!
I can still remember my grandmother taking the cake out of the oven and seeing the big impressive crack right down the middle. It was as if there had been an earthquake in the oven and I thought it was so cool!! Ever since then I have loved this cake.
This Earthquake Cake might not be the most beautiful cake upon first appearances. But like with all things it’s not what’s on the outside that matters but what is on the inside.
When you slice into this Earthquake cake reveling its flavorful layers of chocolate cake, the gooey cream cheese center, and that little bit of crunch from the coconut and pecans you will understand why I love this cake too.
Earthquake Cake
Ingredients:
1 Cup Shredded Coconut
1 Cup Pecans, Chopped
1 Box German Chocolate Mix
¼ Cup Strong Coffee or Espresso (2 shots)
½ Cup Softened Unsalted Butter
1 box Powdered Sugar
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Directions:
Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees
In a greased 9×13 baking pan place the shredded coconut and chopped pecans in an even layer.
Mix the German Chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions, replacing ¼ cup of the water with ¼ cup of strong coffee or espresso. Pour the cake batter into the pan on top of the coconut and pecans.
Using a hand mixer mix together the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until fluffy then pour on top of the cake mix and swirl in with a knife, creating a marbled look.
Bake at 350 for 50 minutes. The cake will crack when it’s done, that’s why it’s called Earthquake cake.
Meals With Mel 
The tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park are really neat. What a great experience to have as a child. Your grandmother’s Earthquake Cake also looks yummy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!! I always love family cake recipes and Earthquake Cake is just a fun cake. Dinosaur valley is an amazing place and if you ever find yourself in North Texas it’s a must see. There is also a large stretch of the tracks on display at the Natural History Museum in New York which is pretty cool too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love family cake recipes, too. Dinosaur Valley sounds really interesting and fun. Thanks for sharing the tip. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love dinosaurs too! And I am not a huge sweet eater but I have a passion for Pecan Pie and German Chocolate Cake (in moderation of course). This looks like a winner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a difficult decision during the holidays…. Pecan pie or German Chocolate Cake 🙂 Thanks for the nice words on the Earthquake cake and I love the you love Dinosaurs too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s nothing like childhood memories. I’ve never heard of Earthquake cake and I can’t wait to make it.
LikeLike
I hope you give it a try and let me know how it turns out. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mel– this does sound little a family recipe worth hanging on to!! Can’t wait to try it–all my favorite ingredients!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rhonda!!
LikeLike
Definitely gonna try this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is gorgeous china! What is the name of the pattern, if you know? Oh, and the recipe looks scrumptious, too! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robin 😀
The china is part of a High Tea set I got a couple of years ago in London at Fortnum & Mason. I was looking for a tea set and fell completely in love with the pattern too. They still carry the pattern but it’s currently out of stock
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/products/high-tea-cup-saucer?taxon_id=996
LikeLike
Wow great story and recipe! My daughter loves the picture of the footprints, didn’t know that place existed, now she wants to go there! We will definitely be trying earth cake cake too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much!!! I’m glad you liked the recipe 😀 and if you ever get the chance dinosaur park is a must see especially for any little girl who loves Dinosaurs!
LikeLike
How neat, Mel! Ours and our two close friend families (how do you say that? Whole families that are your friends??) all went on a huge road trip up to that Dinosaur park and loved seeing the tracks. It was really special to see those tracks out in nature, not shut up inside of some museum. Anyway, love the back story and your grandmother’s name for the cake! Sounds delish. As with most Mexican food, I believe the messier it looks, the better it tastes! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so cool!!! Dinosaur State Park is such a awe inspiring place and I’m glad you, your family and your friends enjoyed it :). Glad you liked the cake too it’s a fun recipe that’s really special to me. Have a great weekend!!
LikeLike
Not that this is a “Mexican” recipe, or anything lol!
LikeLike