The Best Dirt Cake EVER Recipe

Introduction

Dirt Cake is a fun and delicious dessert that combines creamy pudding with crunchy Oreo cookies for a delightful treat. Perfect for parties or a simple family dessert, it’s easy to make and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

• 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 3 cups milk
• 1 (12 oz) container Cool Whip (regular or light)
• 1½ packages Oreo cookies

Instructions

1. Step 1: Crush the Oreo cookies in a food processor until they become crumbly, then set them aside.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix the instant vanilla pudding with the milk, then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow it to set.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and confectioners sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Combine the cream cheese mixture with the prepared pudding, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
5. Step 5: Gently fold the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until evenly combined.
6. Step 6: In a trifle dish or large bowl, start layering by adding a layer of cookie crumbs at the bottom.
7. Step 7: Add a layer of the pudding mixture over the cookie crumbs, then repeat the layers alternating between cookie crumbs and pudding until all ingredients are used.
8. Step 8: Decorate the top as desired, chill until ready to serve, and enjoy your delicious Dirt Cake!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, reserve some larger Oreo pieces to sprinkle on top as decoration.
• Use reduced-fat cream cheese and light Cool Whip for a lighter version.
• Try substituting chocolate pudding for vanilla for a different flavor twist.
• If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Storage

Store the Dirt Cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes; this dessert is best enjoyed chilled and does not require warming.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Dirt Cake ahead of time?

Yes, Dirt Cake actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, as the flavors meld and the cookies soften slightly.

Can I use a different type of cookie?

Absolutely! Chocolate sandwich cookies like Oreos work best, but you can experiment with other flavors like chocolate chip cookies or graham crackers for a unique twist.

The Best Dirt Cake EVER Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 146 reviews

This delightful Dirt Cake recipe combines creamy vanilla pudding, rich cream cheese, and crunchy Oreo cookie crumbs to create a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing dessert. Layered beautifully in a trifle dish, this no-bake treat is perfect for parties and family gatherings, offering a luscious combination of smooth textures and chocolatey crunch.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including chilling)
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pudding Mixture

• 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 1 8oz block cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick (4 tbsp) butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 12oz container Cool Whip (regular or light)

Cookies

• 1 1/2 packages Oreo cookies

Instructions

1. Prepare Cookie Crumbs: Using a food processor, pulse the Oreo cookies until they are crumbly but not too fine. Set the crumbs aside for layering.
2. Make Pudding: In a mixing bowl, combine the instant vanilla pudding mix with 3 cups of milk. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to let it set properly.
3. Mix Cream Cheese Base: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and confectioners sugar together until smooth and creamy. This mixture forms the richness and stability of the dessert.
4. Combine Pudding and Cream Cheese: Add the chilled pudding mixture to the cream cheese blend and mix thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
5. Fold in Cool Whip: Gently fold in the Cool Whip until the mixture is uniform and fluffy, ensuring not to over mix to keep the light texture.
6. Layer the Dessert: In a trifle dish or large glass bowl, start by layering a portion of the Oreo cookie crumbs evenly at the bottom. Follow with a layer of the pudding mixture. Continue to alternate layers of cookie crumbs and pudding mixture until all components are used, finishing with cookie crumbs on top.
7. Chill and Serve: Decorate the top as desired, then refrigerate the assembled dirt cake for at least 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the dessert to set well. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

• For best results, soften cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth texture.
• You can substitute Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
• Use regular or light Cool Whip depending on your dietary preferences; light will reduce fat content.
• This dessert needs to be refrigerated to hold its layers and consistency.
• Oreo cookies can be replaced with any chocolate sandwich cookies if preferred.

Keywords: Dirt Cake, Oreo Dessert, No-Bake Cake, Vanilla Pudding Dessert, Layered Dessert, Cream Cheese Dessert, Cool Whip Dessert