Our no-bake dirt cake recipe whips up an easy yet creative dessert for imaginative minds. This dirt cake (aka dirt pudding or dirt dessert) layers a vanilla pudding mixture and crushed up Oreos to create a garden-like scene, with (gummy) worms snaking throughout. It is truly the perfect treat to make with bored kids, especially since there is zero baking or cooking involved. The dirt pudding may last only a short while, but your kids will remember this dessert forever.
Dirt Cake Ingredients
- Cream cheese: Grab a good cream cheese brand from the store, and make sure to soften it before using it in this recipe.
- Confectioners’ sugar: In this recipe for dirt cake, we use confectioners’ sugar, as its powdered nature dissolves more easily than the larger crystals of granulated sugar.
- Milk: We don’t recommend subbing in a milk alternative here since pudding mix is specially formulated to activate with cow’s milk proteins.
- Pudding mix: You’ll need two packages of instant vanilla pudding mix for this dirt pudding recipe. Double-check that you’re not grabbing a box of cook and serve pudding mix; that won’t work here.
- Whipped topping: Be sure to thaw your carton of frozen whipped pudding before starting this recipe.
- Oreos: The easiest way to break Oreos into crumbs is by pulsing them in a food processor. You could also close them in a resealable bag and whack the Oreos with a rolling pin or measuring cup until they are broken into crumbs.
- Toppings: Really make this dessert look like “dirt” by shaving dark, milk or white chocolate on top and sticking in gummy worms. These additions make the dirt dessert 10 times more fun!
Directions
Step 1: Whip up the filling
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth and lump-free.
In another large bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mixes together for two minutes, then let the mixture stand for two minutes until the pudding is soft-set.
Gradually stir the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the whipped topping.
Step 2: Layer the cake
Spread 1-1/3 cups crushed Oreos into an ungreased 13×9-inch dish. Spoon half the pudding mixture over the crushed cookies, spread it out, then sprinkle on half the remaining cookies. Repeat the layering once more.
Step 3: Chill and decorate
Refrigerate the dirt pudding recipe for at least one hour before serving. If desired, shave chocolate on top and decorate with gummy worms.
Editor’s Tip: See our recipe variations section for how to make your dirt pudding look like a vegetable patch!
Recipe Variations
- Use chocolate pudding: For a more dirt-like appearance, swap the vanilla pudding for chocolate. This option is especially great for chocolate lovers, which is basically every kid ever.
- Add “carrots”: Want to make the worms look as though they’re tracking through a vegetable patch? Make chocolate-covered strawberries dipped in orange-colored white chocolate. The orange body and green leaves will look like carrots! Optionally, drizzle extra orange chocolate on top of the “carrots” for some texture. Once the chocolate has set, stick the carrots into the dirt as if they’re growing.
- Create a spring garden: Get the kids excited for spring and decorate the dirt cake with Peeps, colorful candy eggs, and candy or gummy flowers.
- Make it gluten-free: Yes, this dirt pudding recipe can be made gluten free! Simply swap the Oreos for certified gluten-free Oreos, and double-check that your pudding mix is gluten-free too.
- Serve in a different vessel: Make individual portions and assemble the dirt dessert in cups. We also love the look of the dirt cake in a glass trifle dish, where you can see each layer. Place worms along the edges as you layer so it looks as if they’re trailing through!
How to Store Dirt Cake
To store leftover dirt pudding, wrap storage wrap over the pan and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Keep in mind, the cookies will get soggy over time.
Can you make dirt cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe for dirt cake ahead of time. Simply assemble the day before, wrap the pan in storage wrap and keep it in the fridge, then serve the dirt dessert whenever you’re ready. We recommend making it only one day ahead as the cookies will get soggy after a few days.
Dirt Cake Tips
How do you decorate dirt cake?
The easiest way to decorate a dirt pudding recipe is with store-bought gummy worms. For the dirt, use crushed Oreo cookies.
Can you make dirt cake without cream cheese?
Classic dirt cake contains cream cheese and butter, and recipes that don’t use cream cheese won’t have as much body or richness. Cream cheese makes no-bake desserts thick and indulgent. We also prepare a low-fat version of this recipe using both fat-free and regular cream cheese, but we skip the butter.
What if the pudding doesn’t set?
As long as you follow the recipe—being sure to use instant pudding mix and to whisk it vigorously until thickened—the pudding setting shouldn’t be a problem for you. If you don’t use the right mix or don’t whisk it long enough, the filling may be thin. In that case, try freezing the dirt pudding, then scoop out servings as a frozen dessert. Drizzle with homemade hot fudge for an irresistible mudslide treat.
