Oreo Dirt cake, also called dirt pudding or dirt and worms, is a classic childhood dessert that combines a sweet treat with a bit of whimsy. Two layers of crushed Oreo cookies resemble dirt or soil, with a sweet and cream vanilla pudding layer spread in between. Gummy worms arranged on top lean into the theme of this fun, no-bake dessert.
You can make it in a baking dish, trifle dish, individual pudding cups, or even in a flower pot to complete the garden look! No matter the presentation, dirt cake is a wonderful dessert to share with friends and family. It is especially popular with children, making it a cute option for kids’ birthday parties. For more no-bake dessert recipes, try my banana pudding, no bake cookies, and peanut butter pie.
Ingredients
Oreos — you need a total of 46 cookies or one 18-ounce package. I like the original flavored sandwich cookies, but you could choose a different flavor to put your own spin on the cake.
Pudding mix — a box of Instant vanilla pudding mix is a super easy way to make the filling. Classic vanilla or French vanilla pudding are both great options!
Milk — use whole milk for the creamiest results.
Butter — opt for unsalted butter, and make sure it is softened before you start this dessert.
Cream cheese — softened cream cheese adds structure to the pudding center so the cake holds up to slicing or scooping.
Powdered sugar — powdered sugar, also called confectioners’ sugar, easily dissolved into the pudding for the perfect amount of sweetness.
Cool Whip — thaw 1 container of frozen whipped topping according to the package directions before starting this recipe.
Gummy worms — while optional, I highly recommend them to round out the “dirt” look! Choose your favorite brand and flavor.
How To Make Dirt Cake
1. Use a rolling pin to crush the Oreos in a zip-top plastic bag into fine crumbs.
2. Spread half of the Oreo crumbs in an even layer in a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Set the rest aside for now.
3. In a large bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix and milk. Whisk vigorously for two minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
4. In another large bowl, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed for 1 minute until combined and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add the cream cheese mixture to the vanilla pudding mixture and beat with the hand mixer for 1 minute until combined. Then, fold in the thawed whipped topping with a spatula.
5. Spoon the pudding mixture over the top of the Oreo layer.
6. Spread it into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours for the mixture to chill and set.
7. Top with the remaining Oreo cookie crumbs.
8. Decorate with gummy worms and dig in immediately.
Variations And Substitutions
- Use different pudding: Swap vanilla pudding for another instant pudding mix, like chocolate pudding, banana pudding, or cheesecake pudding.
- Use whipped cream: Instead of Cool Whip, use homemade whipped cream. Cool Whip won’t deflate as quickly as homemade whipped cream and holds up well to warmer temperatures, so keep that in mind if you want to prep this dessert well in advance of serving it or plan to serve it outside on a warm day.
- Get creative with decoration: While gummy worms lean into the “dirt” factor of this dirt pudding recipe, you can use different decorations and even make it seasonal! Other types of gummies, like butterfly gummies, gummy frogs, or candy rocks, make great additions to the theme. Fake or edible flowers “growing” out of the soil look really cool! Halloween candy, like candy pumpkins, candy bones, sugar skulls, and decorative tombstones, add a little spookiness.
Ways To Serve
- Baking dish: A 9×13-inch casserole dish gives you two Oreo layers and lots of room to sprinkle gummy worms.
- Trifle bowl: For a multi-layered dessert, use a large, clear glass bowl or a trifle dish. Alternate the Oreos and the pudding mixture until you reach the top.
- Flowerpot: Lean into the theme of this dessert by layering it in a flower pot! Be sure to choose a new pot that has been cleaned. You can make it in one big pot or several smaller ones. Place a parchment paper round on the bottom if the flower pot has a hole in it.
- Individual servings: Small, clear glass or plastic cups make great “dirt cups” for individual dirt cakes. This is a great option for kids’ parties or potlucks!
How To Store
Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the gummy worms will become hard in the refrigerator, so either let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes or add fresh candies before serving.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Use softened butter and cream cheese to ensure they whip into a smooth, creamy mixture. Otherwise, the mixture may have lumps. Set the cream cheese and butter out at room temperature about an hour before you start this no-bake dessert.
- An alternative method to crush the Oreos. If you want smaller or more uniform cookie crumbs, pulse them in a food processor instead of using the rolling pin method.
- Serve chilled. Dirt cake is best enjoyed cold. Keep it refrigerated until at least 30 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there’s no need to remove the filling. Just crush them as-is. The fillings helps the crumbs be sticky and clump together so they form nice layers in the cake.
This is the perfect make-ahead dessert! You can make my Oreo dirt cake recipe up to 24 hours in advance. Leave off the gummy worms, cover the cake with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. Decorate when you’re ready to serve. The Oreo crust will soften a bit while the cake is refrigerated.
For a crunchy Oreo topping, sprinkle the last layer on top just before serving, then top with the gummy worms.
Yes, you can freeze dirt cake in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Individual servings freeze especially well! Thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The cookies will be a bit soft after defrosting, so you will miss out on some of that crunchy Oreo texture, but they will still be delicious! This is a really great way to take this dirt cake to an outdoor summer party! Transport them frozen so that they stay colder for longer in the warmer temperatures.
If you’ve tried this dirt cake recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Dirt Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Food processor or zip top plastic bag
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce/513g) package Oreos (46 cookies)
- 2 (3.4-ounce/96g) packages Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 3½ cups milk (840mL)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened (56g)
- 1 (8-ounce/226g) package cream cheese room temperature
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar (80g)
- 1 (8-ounce/226g) container Cool Whip thawed
- Gummy worms optional
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the Oreos until broken into pieces. (You can also crush the Oreos in a zip-top plastic bag with a rolling pin.) Spread half of the Oreos in an even layer in a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Set the remaining half aside in a sealed container.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and the milk. Whisk vigorously for two minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
- In another large mixing bowl, combine the butter and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed for 1 minute until combined. Add the powdered sugar and beat for 1 more minute until smooth.
- Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and beat with the mixer for 1 minute until combined. Fold in the thawed whipped cream.
- Spoon the pudding mixture evenly over the top of the Oreos and gently spread it into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours for the mixture to chill and set.
- Top with the remaining half of the Oreos and decorate with gummy worms if you like. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use softened butter and cream cheese to ensure they whip into a smooth, creamy mixture. Otherwise, the mixture may have lumps. Set the cream cheese and butter out at room temperature about an hour before you start this no-bake dessert.
- An alternative method to crush the Oreos. If you want smaller or more uniform cookie crumbs, pulse them in a food processor instead of using the rolling pin method.
- Serve chilled. Dirt cake is best enjoyed cold. Keep it refrigerated until at least 30 minutes before serving.
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