Dirt Cake
Add Preferred SourceIf you want a fun, no-bake dessert that everyone can enjoy, give this Dirt Cake a try. Made with layers of smooth pudding and crushed cookies, it’s rich, nostalgic, and incredibly simple to make. It’s always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings, and kids especially love the gummy worm topping.
It’s the kind of dessert that brings back childhood memories but still impresses adults. The best part? You can prepare it in advance, store it in the fridge, and serve it when you’re ready.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies – Finely chopped in food processor. Don’t use the bag of crumbs. You need the creme filling to help bind the crumbs.
- Cream cheese
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Vanilla pudding mix
- Milk
- Whipped topping
- Gummy worms
Instructions
- Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor. If you don’t have one, place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until smooth.
- Whisk the pudding mix with the cold milk in another bowl. Do it for about 2 minutes, or until thickened.
- Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is uniform.
- Spread a layer of crushed Oreos in the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Top with a layer of the pudding mixture. Continue layering, ending with a layer of cookie crumbs on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Right before serving, decorate with gummy worms or other fun toppings.
Step-by-Step Process
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Let the cream cheese and butter soften completely for a smooth base.
- Prefer chocolate? Use instant chocolate pudding instead of vanilla.
- Add extra crunch by sprinkling cookie crumbs in the middle layers.
- Serve in clear cups or mason jars for individual portions—great for parties.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert is a fun way to finish off casual meals like burgers or BBQ sliders. It’s also a great fit for birthday parties or summer gatherings, or after a weeknight dinner like Mississippi Salisbury Steak.
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Storage
Cover and store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s best eaten within the first 1–2 days for the best texture, as the cookies will soften over time. Avoid freezing—it doesn’t hold up well due to the creamy layers.
Dirt Cake
Ingredients
- 1 package Oreo cookies Finely chopped
- 1 package cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar powdered
- 2 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2¾ cups cold milk
- 1 container whipped topping like Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 package Gummy worm
Instructions
- Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor. If you don’t have one, place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until smooth.
- Whisk the pudding mix with the cold milk in another bowl. Do that for about 2 minutes, or until thickened.
- Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is uniform.
- Spread a layer of crushed Oreos in the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish. Top with a layer of the pudding mixture. Continue layering, ending with a layer of cookie crumbs on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Right before serving, decorate with gummy worms or other fun toppings.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Let the cream cheese and butter soften completely for a smooth base.
- Prefer chocolate? Use instant chocolate pudding instead of vanilla.
- Add extra crunch by sprinkling cookie crumbs in the middle layers.
- Serve in clear cups or mason jars for individual portions—great for parties.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
