Oklahoma "Earthquake Cake"

Growing up in Oklahoma our biggest threat from Mother Nature has always been tornadoes.  When you live in Tornado Alley, you deal with the real threat from deadly tornadoes year round.  It's kind of a part of life.  We had tornado drills in school as children and all Okies have spent their fair share of time in a musty cellar.  What you aren't expecting in the Sooner State is an earthquake.  Upon doing a little research I learned that Oklahoma was feeling earthquakes as far back as 1811.   The funny thing is I remember my grandparents telling me stories about bizarre tornado experiences like the winds being strong enough to push a broom straw through a tree trunk.  No one ever mentioned "The Great Earthquake of _____."  So you could say this Okie is new to the whole earthquake thing.  We've been fortunate to experience no damage at our house, and everyone seems to take things in stride.  A little humor never hurts either.  When I found this recipe in my late aunt's things I knew I had to try it.  My friend Ginger said, "Please oh please rename this OKLAHOMA Earthquake Cake."  So I did.  When I texted the picture of the cake to my friend Barb she said, "That really does look like an earthquake!"  And behold, it does.  But this cake isn't just fun to make, it's chocolatey and moist and rich with a cream cheese frosting-like filling.  Political and geological arguments aside, with a giggle I present you Oklahoma Earthquake Cake:

It really does look like an earthquake!

Sprinkle pan with pecans and coconut

Pour cake batter over pecan mixture

Drop cream cheese mixture globs onto cake batter

Bake 45 minutes

Look at that hot, bubbly, "mess"

Cool slightly, but enjoy warm...

With milk of course.
Unless you have an earthquake and it spills.

Here's the seismic activity in Oklahoma.
So strange.  We've felt a few of the bigger ones
where I live.

Humor helps you deal with all of life's problems.
No matter how big or small.

Next time your cake falls, blame it on an earthquake.
Better yet, just bake some Oklahoma Earthquake Cake
and you don't have to worry about it!

Oklahoma "Earthquake Cake"

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup coconut
1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Sprinkle pecans and coconut into bottom of dish and set aside.  Combine the cake mix, oil, eggs and water until smooth and well blended.  Pour over the pecan and coconut mixture.  (DO NOT STIR)  With an electric mixer combine the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Drop by teaspoonfuls over the cake mix.  (DO NOT SPREAD) Bake approximately 45 minutes.  This cake does not require a glaze or frosting as the cream cheese filling acts as the frosting.  Cool slightly and serve warm.

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 45 minutes