Dirt Cake is a classic Midwestern dessert that's loved by all. This festive, summer dessert recipe is a cinch to whip up.
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Dirt Cake is a classic Midwestern dessert recipe that I remember my Mom making for nearly every summer BBQ, picnic, and special occasion when I was young. It is one of the best tasting desserts – EVER – and super simple to whip up.
Crushed Oreo cookies are layered with a luscious, whippy pudding mixture, then topped with ooey-gooey gummy worms for a fun and festive touch. This dessert is a total crowd pleaser.
How to Serve Dirt Cake:
My Mom always served Dirt Cake layered in a large glass bowl, but this is the perfect summer dessert recipe to get creative with. Layer the ingredients in plastic cups for an individual presentation. Add faux or even edible flowers for a more convincing garden look. You can even play around with the color of the pudding and/or sandwich cookies to cater to different holidays!
What’s in Dirt Cake?
- Instant vanilla pudding
- Skim milk
- Cool whip
- Powdered sugar
- Softened butter
- Softened cream cheese
- Oreos
Psst! Need to eat gluten free and/or dairy free? Check out my GF/DF Dirt Cake recipe!
Step 1: Make the Pudding Layer
Begin by addinginstant vanilla pudding andcold skim milk to a large bowl.
Whisk vigorously for 5 minutes, or until the pudding is soft set.
Next fold in Cool Whip. You could use regular or sugar-free here, if you wanted to.
In a separate bowl, stir together softened butter, powdered sugar, and softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add the cream cheese mixture into the pudding mixture then stir until very, very smooth.
LUSCIOUSNESS!
Step 2: Make the Cookie Layer
Next, bust out a package of America’s favorite sandwich cookies – Oreos.
Did you know that Oreos used to be sold in 20oz packages, per my Mom’s original recipe from the 80s? You could practically see the steam coming out of her ears the day she found out they shrunk the package down to 15.5oz, and were selling it for more money. Hell hath no fury like a consumer scorned!
Anyway, pop the cookies into a food processor or blender, then process until they’re fine crumbs and deposit said crumbs into a bowl.
Step 3: Assemble the Dirt Cake
Spoon 1-1/2 cups cookie crumbs into the bottom of a large bowl followed by half the pudding mixture. I use a really wide bowl which made the layers appear uneven in these photos. If you want yours to appear more even you could use a trifle bowl.
Add 1-1/2 cups cookie crumbs on top…
followed by the remaining pudding mixture, and then the remaining cookie crumbs.
Top the assembled Dirt Cake with gummy worms and flowers, if you wish, then serve. I hope you love this sweet and seriously scrumptious taste of the Midwest! Enjoy!
More Easy Dessert Recipes:
- Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Dirt Cake >
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondies >
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes for 2 >
- Triple Berry Crumb Bars >
- Peanut Butter S’mores Cheesecake Ball >
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Dirt Cake
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vegetarian15 minute meal
5/5 (6 REVIEWS)
Description
Dirt Cake is a classic Midwestern dessert that's loved by all. This festive, summer dessert recipe is a cinch to whip up.
Ingredients
serves a crowd
- 2, 3.4oz packages vanilla instant pudding
- 3-1/2 cups cold skim milk
- 12oz Cool Whip
- 8oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 15.5oz package Oreos
- Gummy worms, fake flowers (optional)
Directions
- Combine instant pudding and skim milk in a large bowl. Whisk for 5 minutes, or until pudding is soft set. Fold in cool whip then set aside.
- In a separate bowl, stir together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add to pudding mixture then stir to combine.
- In a food processor or blender, process Oreos to fine crumbs.Spoon 1-1/2 cups cookie crumbs into the bottom of a large bowl. Top with 1/2 the pudding mixture followed by 1-1/2 cups cookie crumbs, the remaining pudding mixture, and then the remaining cookie crumbs. Chill for at least 1 hour then top with gummy worms and/or fake flowers before serving.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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67 Comments
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Kim 01.29.2024 I recently made this for my nephew’s birthday, and it was a huge hit! While I was making it, I thought about some tweaks I could make to turn it into a Halloween-themed cake. Maybe use some Milano cookies as gravestones and add some Peep ghosts! I think that would be a cute idea. I’m not sure how well they’d stand in the pudding mixture, though. Thoughts?
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- Kristin 01.30.2024
I think that’d be super, super cute Kim!! I’d add them right before serving!
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- LaDonna 10.31.2023
I had a babysitter when I was 5/6 years old who made dirt cake one Halloween and I beeeegggged ???? my mom to make it with me. She never bothered to get the recipe, so it didn’t taste the same. Since I’ve been old enough, I’ve been searching for to find a dirty cake recipe for hat is even remotely close to my babysitter’s (she’s since passed away) and now I’ve FINALLY GOT IT! ???? There’s so much nostalgia in a single bite ????????
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- Kristin 11.02.2023
Oh my gosh I so understand that!! This dish, especially, unlocks SO many memories for me each time I make it. I’m SO glad it did the same for you!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating — I’m glad you’ve found “the one”!
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- Duke 01.25.2022
This is my first time of hearing about dirt cake. I will surely ask my wife to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
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hi, i'm kristin!
I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!
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