Dirt Cake Recipe

This Dirt Cake Recipe is made with crushed Oreo cookies layered with a luscious pudding mixture. It’s the easiest no-bake dessert around!

Who loves a good no-bake dessert? I’m all for saving energy, keeping the house cool, and whipping up something super easy. This recipe for dirt cake comes straight out of grandma’s recipe box. God love her – she was the queen of easy recipes like this.

While dirt cake has been around for a long time, there are many different ways to make it. This version is what I call my “base” which all my other variations derive from. It’s quick, practically effortless and everyone will be so thrilled you made it.

You really can’t go wrong with this one. That compacted Oreo crust topped with that super creamy pudding layer. YUM! Then that top layer of Oreo crumbs just makes my heart go pitter-patter.

I love brining this to backyard BBQ’s, potlucks, pool parties and low key celebrations for holidays like Mother’s day and Father’s day too.

I know you’ll love it. Check out all the details below.

Oreo Dirt Cake

Here are some commonly asked questions

Dirt cake is a simple dessert, ideal for summer, consisting of layers of luscious pudding and cream cheese mixture along with an Oreo crust and crumbled Oreo topping. Perfect for Oreo lovers, this no-bake dessert is super creamy. If serving to the kiddos – make sure to add the optional gummy worms to make it a true “dirt cake”.

How to serve dirt cake

• large glass bowl
• 9×13 pan – as shown here
• individual serving cups

Recipe for Oreo Dirt Cake

What is the best way to store leftover dirt cake?

Just keep it refrigerated for up to 7 days. As long as you don’t let it sit out at room temperature for too long, this should keep well when chilled.

Reasons to love dirt cake

• kid-friendly
• can be made ahead
• can be made with a variety of flavors to change it up – try chocolate, banana or butterscotch flavored pudding
• classic mid-western dessert
• great for summer

dirt cake

How to make dirt cake

1. Add the cookies to the food processor and crush to fine crumbs.
2. Reserve about 1 cup of crumbs and add the remaining crumbs to a large bowl.
3. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
4. Combine melted butter and crumbs to form the crust.
5. Press the crust mixture into a 13×9 baking dish.
6. Place in the refrigerator to chill while making the filling.
7. In a large bowl, combine pudding and milk and whisk together until completely smooth.
8. Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or until set.
9. In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
10. Add the confectioner’s sugar and beat until well combined.
11. Fold in the whipped topping.
12. Remove the prepared pudding from the refrigerator and fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
13. Remove crust from the refrigerator and spread the filling mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
14. Sprinkle with the reserved cookie crumbs.
15. Place in the refrigerator 2-3 hours or overnight to set.
16. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
17. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Do I really have to chill the cake?

Chilling is critical. Without chilling for a minimum of 2 hours, (but I prefer overnight) the pudding layer will just be a sloppy mess. The consistency will be just slightly thicker than pudding by itself, which doesn’t lend to serving as slices. Please plan for the chill time – it makes all the difference.

easy dirt cake recipe

Ingredients for Dirt Cake

• Oreo cookies
• unsalted butter
• cream cheese
• confectioner’s sugar
• Instant white chocolate pudding
• milk
• whipped topping

Dirt Cake Serving Suggestions

We love making dirt cake for so many occasions. Here are some of the other main dish and side dish recipes we pair with it.

• Easy Fruit Salad
• Veggie Dip Recipe
• Sweet and Salty Snack Mix
• Hawaiian Havarti Pork Sliders
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Pellet Grill Chicken Wings
• Gourmet Hot Dogs

Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe

Tips – Troubleshooting

Why did my dirt cake come our soupy?

This dirt cake recipe should be served as shown here- cut in a slice. If your dirt cake consistency didn’t turn out as expected – here are some things to check and try.

• Most importantly – chill for at least 2 hours
• Fold – do not mix where the recipe instructs to fold. Very gently work the ingredients together to not over-mix.
• Must use stabilized whipped cream or whipped topping. Fresh whipped cream will deflate and will not help to hold this filling together.
• Make sure you used INSTANT pudding. One of the most common reasons for this recipe not turning out right is that cook & serve pudding was used by mistake. Double check that you are using only INSTANT pudding.
• Make sure to chill the mixed pudding before moving onto the next steps in the recipe. This is important for consistency.
• Use a chilled metal bowl to mix the pudding layer ingredients.
• Try using whole milk when mixing the pudding.

how to make dirt pudding

• 9×13 dish
• food processor
• mixing bowl
• Oreo cookies
• confectioner’s sugar
• Instant white chocolate pudding
• whipped topping
• gummy worms – optional

oreo dirt pudding

If you love this Easy Dirt Cake recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

dirt cake recipe 9×13 pan

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