Best OREO Dirt Cake Recipe. Ever.

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This is quite literally the best OREO Dirt Cake recipe (OREO Dirt Pudding) on the internet. In just 15 minutes plus chill time, you can make this delicious dessert with yummy chocolate and cream OREO cookies layered with a rich, creamy custard.

dirt cake with oreo on top in glass trifle dish

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What is dirt cake?

Dirt Cake is a classic all American dessert recipe, also called Dirt Pudding. It features layers of crushed OREO cookies and a thick, creamy custard that just melts in your mouth. It is often served with gummy worms on top (pictures below.)

No only is it a no bake dessert, but it is perfect to make ahead for entertaining or potlucks.

This recipe is very easy to make, in just 15 minutes you can have it ready to go. It does need to chill in the refrigerator at least two hours for the best taste though so plan ahead. I personally prefer to let it sit overnight so I try to make it the day before ideally.

Ingredients

  • OREO cookies
  • butter
  • cream cheese
  • powdered sugar
  • milk
  • French Vanilla pudding mix
  • Cool Whip
dirt cake ingredients oreos pudding mix milk butter cream cheese whipped cream powdered sugar

Step by step

creamed cream cheese and butter on the whisk of a stand mixer

Step 1: Combine sugar, butter, and cream cheese

You can make the OREO dirt pudding mixture with either a handheld electric mixer or stand mixer (affiliate link).

Combine softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar and cream together in the mixer until combined.

overhead view of stand mixer glass and measuring cups full of milk container whipped cream pudding mix

Step 2: Make the pudding

In a separate bowl whisk together the milk, pudding mix, and whipped cream as shown in photo 1 below.

As the mixture combines you will notice the whipped topping stays on the top like in photo 2 below.

Continue mixing until the mixture is completely uniform like photo 3 and a lovely buttery yellow color.

collage of step by step photos for mixing pudding for dirt cake

Pour the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese mix as shown in photo 4 above and mix on medium speed until completely blended. The pudding will be thick and thicken further as it sits.

collage showing before and after pulsing OREOs in a blender to crumbs

STYLING TIP: For a pretty presentation, set aside one OREO to top the dirt cake with after it’s finished!

Step 3: Crush OREOS

Use a food processor or blender (affiliate link) to crush the OREO cookies into fine crumbs as shown above.

You can also crush the OREOs by hand by placing them in a gallon size Ziploc bag, sealing it, and crushing with a rolling pin. (The kids love to help with this!)

Step 4: Layer the dirt pudding and OREOs

To layer in a trifle bowl, you will need your pudding mix, cookie crumbs, a ladle, and two spoons-one for the cookies and one to spread the pudding.

Now it’s time to layer the dirt cake! I like to make this recipe in a trifle dish so you can see all the deliciousness! If you don’t have a glass trifle dish you can easily make it in a 9×13 pan or large glass bowl, the layers will just be thinner.

step by step tutorial for spreading pudding mix in a trifle dish for dirt cake

How to make perfect layers in a trifle dish

Use a ladle to scoop about a cup of pudding mixture (photo 2) and plop it right down in the middle of your trifle dish.

Use the back of a spoon (photo 3 above) to push the pudding out from the middle to the edges of the dish.

TIP: If you are worried about smudges showing on the glass, use a paper towel to wipe them clean as you go as in step 4 above.

step by step layering cookies crumbs and pudding for dirt cake

Sprinkle about 1/4 inch even layer of OREO crumbs over the pudding (step 1 above).

Continue layering the pudding adding new layers to the middle of the cookie layer (step 2) then gently pushing the pudding to the edges (step 3).

Add the pudding and remaining cookie crumbs until it is gone, usually four layers of each.

TIP: For the prettiest layers always place the custard in the middle over the crumbs and push outward gently with the back of a spoon. Pat the top layer of OREO down with the back of a spoon as well (step 4 above).

Top with a whole OREO or gummy worms if desired.

top of a dirt cake covered in crumbed OREOs with whole OREO on top
gif of stirring bowl

Tips for best results

  • Be sure to thoroughly soften the butter and cream cheese before creaming together to ensure your pudding layer turns out smooth without lumps.
  • If your dirt cake turns out runny instead of thick, check to make sure you used INSTANT vanilla pudding mix, not traditional stovetop pudding.
  • If you do not have a food processor or blender (affiliate link) to crush the OREOS, simply place them in a large gallon storage bag and crush with a rolling pin.
  • You can eat the dirt cake right away but it tastes so much better if you let it chill to let the flavors blend. I recommend no less than 2 hours of chill time in the fridge or preferably overnight.
  • To achieve the pretty layers in a trifle dish, ladle the pudding mixture into the direct center of the dish then use the back of a spoon to gently push it towards the edges. Keep the spoon away from the crumbs so they don’t mix together. (See video above.)
dirt cake in a red flower pot with two gummy worms

Substitutions

  • Milk: No need for whole milk, you can use any milk for this recipe, I usually use 2%
  • Pudding: For the very best results use Jello Instant French Vanilla pudding, regular vanilla can be used if necessary. Make sure it is INSTANT, not stovetop. I have readers who have used instant chocolate pudding for another variation with good results.
  • Cool Whip: Any brand of whipped topping is fine, there is no difference between brands.
  • OREOs: I have made this with both regular and double stuffed OREOs. If you use Double Stuff you may want to add a little more than one package so there is plenty of cookie in the dirt layers. I don’t suggest off-brand sandwich cookies.

Serving suggestions

  • I usually use a trifle dish so you can see all those delicious layers but you can also serve this in a 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish.
  • My aunt always served her dirt cake in a plastic flower pot with gummy worms and fake flowers stuck in. It is a super cute, especially for kids.
  • This recipe is also cute in a sand bucket with a shovel for serving.
  • For Easter top with Orange candy covered strawberry “carrots” like in our Easter dirt pudding cups.
  • For fall or Halloween serve it top the top layer of oreos with candy pumpkins for a pumpkin patch theme.
  • You can also serve it in clear plastic single serve cups like I did with these strawberry “carrots” for this Easter dirt cake recipe.

For similar recipes try my Peanut Butter Dirt Cake Trifle, Mint OREO Truffles, or 3 Ingredient OREO Fudge.

OREO dirt cake in a trifle dish

Storage

Store dirt cake covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Useful Tools:

If you’ve tried this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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oreo dirt cake layered in a glass trifle dish topped with whole oreo cookie

Dirt Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Melissa Riker
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

This is quite literally the best Dirt Cake recipe on the internet. In just 15 minutes you can make this delicious dessert with yummy chocolate and cream OREO cookies layered with a rich, creamy custard.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 packages French Vanilla Jello INSTANT Pudding
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 8 oz container of Cool Whip
  • 1 family size (1 lb 3 oz) package OREOS cookies

Instructions

  1. Cream together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar in a large bowl until just blended. Do not over mix.
  2. In a separate large bowl whisk together pudding mix, milk, and Cool Whip. 
  3. Add pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix until uniform.
  4. Crush Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or blender (affiliate link).
  5. Use a ladle to scoop about 1-1 1/4 cups pudding mix into the center of a trifle dish. Push to the edges with the back of a spoon.
  6. Use a large spoon to cover pudding with about 1/4 inch of OREO crumbs. 
  7. Repeat layers until done, about 4 layers of each. Tap final OREO layer into the top of the dirt cake with the back of a spoon.
  8. For best results, chill at least two hours before serving.

Equipment

Notes

Be sure to thoroughly soften the butter and cream cheese before creaming together to ensure your pudding layer turns out smooth.

If your dirt cake turns out runny instead of thick, check to make sure you used INSTANT pudding, not traditional stovetop pudding.

If you do not have a food processor or blender to crush the OREOS, simply place them in a large gallon storage bag and crush with a rolling pin.

You can eat the dirt cake right away but it tastes so much better if you let it chill to let the flavors blend. I recommend no less than 2 hours of chill time or preferably overnight.

To achieve the pretty layers in a trifle dish, ladle the pudding mixture into the direct center of the dish then use the back of a spoon to gently push it towards the edges. Keep the spoon away from the crumbs so they don’t mix together.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: none
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 274
  • Sugar: 29 g
  • Sodium: 210.8 mg
  • Fat: 14.3 g
  • Trans Fat:
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Protein: 4.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 34.3 mg

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137 Comments

  1. This recipe calls for significantly more milk than your Easter Dirt Cake recipe. All of the other ingredient measurements are the same as the Easter Dirt Cake. Why the big difference?

  2. Thanks for posting your recipe.. I make this once to every few years. It is a favorite of mine ever since I was a kid my aunt would make this desert for Christmas gathering. I made this a bit different tonight. I was in the mood for a chocolate peanut butter dirt pudding. all I did was use Oreo peanut butter cookies crushed up, Instant chocolate pudding and pie filling and I made my own whipped cream. I layered cookies, chocolate pudding and then another layer of cookies on top… the rest of the chocolate pudding I mixed in 3 table spoons of peanut butter :)… and then put the chocolate peanut butter pudding on top of the crushed cookies and added rest of crushed cookies to top it off…






  3. I hope you had a great Birthday, Melissa–did you make your Dirt Cake in celebration?? Just want to let you know that I halved your recipe because there’s only two of us; your instructions were clear & easy to follow, & the cake was delicious after chilling all day (& the layers looked very pretty). I froze the leftovers in two-portion tubs, & thawed one of them a few days later, with no detriment of texture or flavor.

    1. That’s great to know about freezing it, I’ve never tried that. My birthday is actually today and of course I’ll be having my dirt cake to celebrate! Thanks for taking the time to comment, I’m so glad you liked it as much as I do!






  4. I use this recipe every time I make dirt cake! It’s my fav! I sub the vanilla pudding for chocolate! But quick question— I don’t have two choc puddings at the moment, only one chocolate and one vanilla.. do you think it would taste fine mixing the two?

    Thanks!

  5. Wonderful dessert but would increase cookie amount! For the one I made cream cheese should have been warmer to blend better, my fault, trying to hurry,






      1. I made a few changes to your recipe, but I’m not a big sugar fan. I cut the amount of powderd sugar to 1/2 cup, and I used white chocolate pudding instead of French vanilla. I’ve made this twice and the family loves it. Thanks for the great recipe






  6. I use the cream filling inside of cookies in my recipe, it makes a difference with vanilla taste. As does this make the cookie crumbs more chocolatey.

  7. Do you have any idea how many separate dirt cups this might make? Can it be made 24 hours ahead? Thanks.

    1. it can definitely be made 24 hours in advance, it actually tastes best made the day before in my opinion. As for how many cups it makes I’d guess ten but it would depend on the size of the cups. I’ve also found if doing small individual cups that I have needed more OREO crumbs than if making one large Dirt Cake.

    1. You can absolutely use a different dish, a taller bowl would be better than a 9 by 13 dish however, so you can get all of those delicious layers in!

  8. Thank you for answering about the pudding mixture. I believe that is probably why some people are comng up with soupy mixtures. I was looking for the answer to this particular question for a week, THANK YOU

  9. What do you do with the insides of the oreos? Can you use them in the dessert or not? Wa ting to try this.

  10. Do you make the pudding then mix it together with the milk and cool whip or do you just mix the pudding powered with the milk and cool whip ?

  11. I tried this tonight and I can’t for the life of me figure out why it needs a whole cup of powdered sugar I would drastically reduce that amount to a 1/4 cup otherwise it’s a great recipe will use again