Dirt Cake
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Dirt Cake is a timeless favorite. It’s tasty and nostalgic. It’s also the perfect canvas for creativity. Whether planning a kids’ birthday party or you simply want an easy, no-bake dessert, this one is always a winner.
Dirt Cake is an all-ages favorite and fits into any theme, from children’s birthday parties to summer gatherings and nostalgic potluck dinners. Its playful appearance adds a touch of whimsy to any event.
The layers of creamy filling and cookie crumb “soil” look adorable in a flower pot topped with a few artificial flowers in 8-ounce dessert cups topped with mini flowers or gummy worms, or even served in a trifle bowl. The dirt layer is an easy recipe and the perfect base for Halloween desserts and any other theme with a garden or freshly dug Earth vibe.
Dirt Cake Ingredients
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies – IE, Oreos
Milk
Instant Vanilla Pudding – Make sure you are using instant pudding mix, NOT the cook-and-serve
Cream Cheese
Salted Butter
Frozen whipped topping: You can make homemade whipped cream; start with 3 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream.
How To Make Dirt Cake
1 – Crush the cookies using a food processor or in a sealed baggie using a rolling pin until the cookies resemble fresh dirt. Set the cookie crumbs aside.
2 – Pour the milk into a bowl and sprinkle the instant pudding mix over the milk.
3 – Whisk until there are no lumps and set aside.
4 – Place the cream cheese and butter into a separate bowl and mix until it is well combined, and there are no lumps.
5 – Add the powdered sugar and mix again until it is smooth and creamy.
6 – Add the whipped topping to the pudding mix and fold in.
7 – Add 1 cup of the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and combine with a mixer.
8 – Add the rest of the pudding mixture and fold until smooth and well combined. If you think the cream cheese mixture is too thick for folding, add another cup of pudding and mix it using a hand or stand mixer.
9 – Add a layer of cookie crumbs to the bottom of the serving container(s), using about 1/3 of the cookie crumbs.
10 – Layer half of the filling over the cookie crumbs.
11 – Add another layer of cookie crumbs.
12 – Add the rest of the pudding.
13 – Finish by topping with the remaining cookie crumbs.
14 – Chill the Dirt Cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- Adding the pudding mix to the cream cheese mixture is easier than the other way around.
- If you find that the cream cheese mix is still too thick for folding in the pudding, add another cup of pudding mix and use your mixer to beat it in.
- This will make 12 servings when using 8-ounce dessert cups.
Leftovers
Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Even if the cookie crumbs get a little soft, it tastes delicious!
This recipe is more than just a dessert – it’s a wonderful treat that combines creativity, nostalgia, and pure enjoyment. Whether reminiscing about childhood memories or looking for a unique treat to impress your guests, Dirt Cake remains a timeless favorite. So go ahead, enjoy the whimsy, and create your own masterpiece.
Dirt cups, dirt pudding, or Dirt Cake- no matter how you choose to serve this, it’s guaranteed to bring smiles and lively conversation. Wait until they try it; they’ll all ask for your recipe.
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Dirt Cake
Ingredients
- 19 ounces chocolate sandwich cookies with cream filling family-size package of Oreos
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- 6.8 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix 2 – 3.4 ounce packs
Instructions
- Begin by crushing the cookies until they resemble fresh dirt. You can use a food processor or a sealed baggie with a rolling pin. Set the cookie crumbs aside.
- In a bowl, pour the milk and sprinkle the instant pudding mix over it. Whisk thoroughly until no lumps remain. Set aside.
- Combine the cream cheese and butter in a separate bowl until smooth and lump-free.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix again until the mixture becomes creamy.
- Fold the whipped topping into the pudding mix.
- Gradually add 1 cup of the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and blend using a mixer.
- Fold in the rest of the pudding mixture until smooth and well combined. If the cream cheese mixture seems too thick for folding, incorporate another cup of pudding mix using the mixer.
- Create the layers in the serving container(s): start with about 1/3 of the cookie crumbs at the bottom.
- Layer half of the filling over the cookie crumbs.
- Add another layer of cookie crumbs.
- Add the rest of the pudding mixture.
- Finish by topping with the remaining cookie crumbs.
Notes
Adjusting Consistency: If the cream cheese mix is too thick for folding in the pudding, add another cup of pudding mix and use a mixer to beat it in.
Serving Size: This recipe makes 12 servings when using 8-ounce dessert cups.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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This recipe was written and tested by a human.
Editor: Oliver Baysinger
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.