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Pumpkin Earthquake cake is a delectable dessert recipe for fall! With swirls of Nutella, chocolate chips, and pecans, this rich pumpkin spice cake mix is easy, pretty, and yummy.

pumpkin earthquake cake - introduction

Introduction

If you had make the most fall-themed Earthquake cake there ever was, I think it would be this Pumpkin Earthquake Cake! It's full of rich spice from the spice cake mix, pumpkin flavor, rich chocolate, nutella, and even pecans to give it an earthy, nutty element.

I love the pairing of Nutella and pumpkin. It's just a natural combination of richness and spice. And this actually ended up being my easiest Earthquake Cake recipe yet - all of the parts of the recipe are basically already made for you!

What is an Earthquake Cake?

An Earthquake Cake is a fun way to integrate lots of different ingredients into one cake. In this recipe, we're going to start with a cake mix base (in this case, a pumpkin spice cake batter) and swirl in complementary ingredients that play well off of the flavor of the batter. When you bake this all together, it's a really pretty swirled cake that looks like the cracks and crevices of an earthquake - hence the name!

pumpkin earthquake cake - ingredients

Here's the recipe for Pumpkin Earthquake Cake in pictures. (Scroll to the bottom of the post for a printable recipe.)

You'll also want to try Salted Caramel Chess Bars - another recipe that's perfect for fall snacking!

How to Make a Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 box of spice cake mix (I used yellow cake mix in the original version of this recipe, see the picture; but the boxed spice cake mix just adds an element of richness that complements the pumpkin so well.)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 14oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 stick (½ cup) butter
  • 1 13oz jar Nutella
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 1.5 cups chocolate chips

Directions

cake batter in a baking dish

First, whisk together your cake mix, pumpkin puree, butter, and eggs with a hand mixer in a large bowl. Pour cake batter mixture into a large (9x13") baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.

cake batter with nutella

Next, microwave your Nutella for 10-15 seconds, just to make it spoonable (is that a word?). Spoon 8-10 large dollops over your cake batter.

cake with toppings

Sprinkle the chocolate chips…

pumpkin earthquake cake - with toppings

….and the pecans.

pumpkin earthquake cake - swirled

Then, swirl everything around with a butter knife! You don't want to stir this one very much. I didn't add a frosting after baking, so I liked having bigger cracks and crevices of Nutella hidden in the cake. That way, there's a little bit of chocolate/nutella flavor and a little bit of pumpkin spice in each bite. As always, make sure you swirl it all the way to the edges of the pan.

pumpkin earthquake cake - final result

Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 35-40 minutes, until cake batter parts of the cake are set.

pumpkin earthquake cake - final result

This very well might be my favorite Earthquake Cake recipe yet. If you're looking for a Thanksgiving dessert that's a little different and super comforting, you've got it!

Video

How Can I Change This Recipe Up?

There are lots of different variations you can make to this Pumpkin Earthquake Cake recipe. Make it your own!

  • If you're not a big fan of chocolate, you can use white chocolate chips in place of the milk chocolate chips and make a cream cheese mixture to use in place of the Nutella. Simply combine 8oz cream cheese, ½ cup milk, and 2 cups powdered sugar with a hand mixer.
  • Want to integrate some more of that pumpkin spice? Use the variation above, but use butterscotch chips and add 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice blend into your cream cheese filling.
  • Want more chocolate? Instead of using a boxed spice cake mix, use a chocolate cake mix. I absolutely love a pumpkin/chocolate combo, so this one sounds delicious.
  • You can always add an icing/frosting to this cake if you would like. I didn't feel like it needed it, but a simple jarred chocolate icing would work wonderfully.
pumpkin earthquake cake in a glass baking dish.

Pumpkin Earthquake Cake

Pumpkin Earthquake cake is a delectable dessert recipe for fall! With swirls of Nutella, chocolate chips, and pecans, this rich pumpkin spice cake mix is easy, pretty, and yummy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box of spice cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 14 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 stick ½ cup butter
  • 1 13 oz jar Nutella
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 1.5 cups chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • First, combine your cake mix, pumpkin puree, butter, and eggs with a hand mixer in a large bowl. Pour cake batter mixture into a large (9x13") baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Next, microwave your Nutella for 10-15 seconds, just to make it spoonable (is that a word?). Spoon 8-10 large dollops over your cake batter.
  • Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the pecans.
  • Then, swirl everything around with a butter knife! You don't want to stir this one very much. I didn't add a frosting after baking, so I liked having bigger cracks and crevices of Nutella hidden in the cake. That way, there's a little bit of chocolate/nutella flavor and a little bit of pumpkin spice in each bite. As always, make sure you swirl it all the way to the edges of the pan.
  • Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 35-40 minutes, until cake batter parts of the cake are set.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 243mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 3gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 4207IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Rate it in the comments below!

I hope you enjoy this thoroughly fall-themed Earthquake Cake! Check out some of my other Earthquake Cake recipes below.

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3 Comments

  1. Linda Kilsdonk says:

    This sounds absolutely fabulous! Will be sure to give it a try! Thanks for sharing! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

  2. This looks like a fun and delicious cake. Featuring when my party opens!

    1. Leslie Lambert says:

      Thanks so much Carol!