Oreo Dirt Cake with Chocolate Pudding

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Everyone has heard of Oreo Dirt Cake because it’s such a crowd pleaser! Dress it up for kids with gummy worms or serve it plain but DON’T MISS THIS Oreo Dirt Cake recipe!

Oreo dessert on blue plate

Oreo Dirt Cake is one of the most requested dessert recipes in our family. It’s an easy no-bake dessert that will satisfy your family’s chocolate cravings. Take it to a potluck or gathering with friends and it’ll be a hit! (These Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Bars are another favorite!)

Why is it called Dirt Cake? Dirt Cake is an American invention where crushed Oreos create edible earth or mud. Kids of all ages love anything with Oreos in it and this is a hit whenever it’s served! (Think birthday parties, church potluck, small group gatherings.)

Vanilla pudding and oreos in a glass bowl

Serving Dish Ideas

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Mini plastic flower pot with saucers (assorted colors)
8″ plastic flower pot
Trifle bowl
9×13 baking dish

Oreo dirt cake on blue plate with dish in background

Ingredients

Ingredients for Oreo Dirt Cake
  • butter
  • cream cheese
  • powdered sugar
  • instant chocolate or regular vanilla pudding
  • milk
  • whipped topping
  • Oreos

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Crush cookies.

A food processor or blender will work just fine or try putting the Oreos in a plastic bag and crushing with a rolling pin. I’ve even been known to use a Ninja Bullet since I don’t have room in my new cottage for a lot of appliances. The white creme will disappear.

Crush oreos in plastic bag

Add butter to large mixing bowl.

Add butter to metal bowl

Cream cheese comes next.

Add cream cheese to metal bowl

Finally pour in powdered sugar.

Add confectioner's sugar to metal bowl

Mix together until well blended.

Hand held mixer beating dough ingredients

Add instant pudding mix to bowl.

Pour pudding mix into dough mixture in metal bowl

Pour milk into the cream cheese mixture.

Add milk to dough mixture in metal bowl

Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a hand mixer.

Hand held mixer stirring ingredients in metal bowl

Fold in whipped cream with the pudding mixture and mix gently.

Add whipped topping to chocolate mixture in metal bowl

Layer cream mixture first in serving container.

Add whipped cream and chocolate mixture to serving dish

Sprinkle cookie crumbs on top with a spoon or your fingers.

Kids will love these Oreo crumbs and it’s easier to spread the Oreos evenly around using your fingers.

Sprinkle oreos over chocolate pudding mixture

Repeat layers ending with Oreos on top.

Chill until ready to serve (24 hours if possible).

Serve.

What can you serve it in? Anything goes in my opinion! Try a trifle bowl, a glass 9×13 pan or even a brand new flower pot or bucket for fun. You can also use crystal glasses of any size to dress it up (would be perfect for a tea party!)

Glass bowl with vanilla pudding and Oreos

FAQs about Oreo Dirt Cake

Instant vanilla pudding mix or French vanilla pudding mix is probably used most often but chocolate is a favorite, too!

Nope, don’t try it! Just buy a few boxes of chocolate or vanilla instant pudding to keep on hand for special occasions. I always loved to have my kids in the kitchen with me, learning and having fun together. This is a perfect recipe because it’s hard to mess up (and licking the spoon is the best part!)

Along with Oreos, the “cake” is made with cream cheese, vanilla or chocolate pudding, powdered sugar and cool whip.

Dirt cake is an American invention made from crushed Oreo cookies and pudding, to create edible earth or mud. The garnish is gummy worms, figuratively inching their way through the dirt.

Tips for Making this Recipe:

  1. Instead of mixing the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar in one bowl and the pudding mix, milk and whipped topping in a separate one, I mixed them all in one bow. I’m all about convenience!
  2. Dirt cake can be made up to two days in advance of your event. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or tin foil. Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. (And honestly, it never lasted that long in our family!)
  3. Dirt cake can be made up to two days in advance of your event. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or tin foil. Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. (And honestly, it never lasted that long in our family!)
  4. For a children’s party serve the dirt cake in new mini plastic pails with a shovel and gummy worms inching their way on top! Use M&Ms, toffee bits, chocolate chips or any other candy for “gravel” as a bottom layer or sprinkled on top.

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

Print Pin
4 from 6 votes

Oreo Dirt Cake with Chocolate Pudding

Everyone has heard of Oreo Dirt Cake because it’s such a crowd pleaser! Dress it up for kids with gummy worms or serve it plain but DON’T MISS THIS RECIPE!
Keyword Oreo Dirt Cake
Servings 10 people
Author Marty’s Musings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 8-oz pkg cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 3.5 oz pkgs instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 16 oz container frozen whipped topping thawed
  • 1 large pkg plain Oreo cookies (not double stuffed)

Instructions

  • Crush cookies in a plastic bag or grind in food processor or blender. The white creme will disappear.
  • Mix butter, cream cheese and sugar in largest mixing bowl.
  • Add pudding and milk and mix thoroughly.
  • Fold in whipped topping and mix gently.
  • Layer in a 9×13 dish, alternating creme and cookie layers. Finish with cookies on top.
  • Chill until ready to serve (24 hours if possible).

Video

Notes

This recipe can be made with vanilla or chocolate INSTANT pudding.
The size package of cookies depends on how much you love Oreos! Use less or more than called for according to taste. Also double stuffed is harder to break into crumbs.
A popular way to serve this is in a flower pot with gummy worms on top.

Oreo Dirt Cake on blue plate

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52 Comments

  1. I grew up with my mom making this and it was always fun to throw a gummy worm or two kinda peeking out of the “Dirt” when you’re ready to serve it.

  2. 5 stars
    This is a great one from my childhood. My aunt would make it but call it “worms in dirt” she would add gummy worms to this recipe. It was always fun to have!!!!!!

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