This Oreo Dirt Cake is a downright addicting no-bake dessert. Oreo crumbs are layered with a mixture of vanilla pudding, cream cheese, and whipped topping. Gummy worms are sprinkled on top for a fun finish. Quick, easy, and always a hit!
Oreo dirt cake is a classic no-bake dessert. I’ve been making this for years and while I’ve shared a few seasonal variations over the years, like Easter dirt cake, dirt pudding, and carrot patch dirt cups, I realized I had never shared the original recipe. It’s made with simple ingredients like instant pudding, cream cheese, and Cool Whip. I added some gummy worms, which adds a fun touch, though you can definitely keep them off. This makes a great summer dessert but I also love to serve it around Halloween.
Why I Love This Oreo Dirt Cake
- No baking required. This “cake” is more like a pudding and requires absolutely no baking. In fact, all you need is a few bowls and a hand-held mixer. So easy!
- Great for Halloween. Dirt cake can be enjoyed year-round but I love to serve this at Halloween. The gummy worms just add an extra touch that fits the season. Kids love it!
- Lots of Oreos! I used an entire package of Oreos in this recipe. It’s assembled in layers with Oreos on top and acting as the “crust” on the bottom, so there’s yummy Oreo goodness in every bite.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of the few ingredients needed to make this Oreo dirt cake recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Oreos – I used a 13.29 ounce package. If you have a bigger package, just leave a few Oreos behind.
- Pudding mix – I used French vanilla pudding though regular vanilla would work too. Be sure to use instant pudding mix, not the cook and serve type.
- Milk – 2% or whole milk both work. Just be sure to keep it chilled until it’s needed.
- Cream cheese – Full fat cream cheese is important as this is already a soft dessert. Reduced fat cream cheese or the type in the plastic container will make it too soft.
- Butter – Softened butter adds richness to the cream cheese mixture.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and stabilizes the dirt cake.
- Whipped topping – Cool Whip or the store brand. Make sure it’s thawed.
- Gummy worms – An optional topping that I like to add, especially for Halloween!
How To Make Oreo Dirt Cake
This no-bake dessert is so quick and easy to make. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Make the Oreo crust. Pulse the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs. Spread half of them in the butter of the baking dish.
- Make the pudding mixture. Whisk the milk and instant pudding until smooth and thickened. Let sit for 5 minutes. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth then mix in the powdered sugar. Stir in the pudding until well incorporated. Fold in the whipped topping with a spatula.
- Assemble. Spread the mixture over the Oreo crumbs. Top with the remaining Oreo crumbs.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Enjoy. Top with the gummy worms before serving. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making Oreo dirt cake, as well as some ways to customize the flavor.
- Use instant pudding. Be sure to get INSTANT pudding mix and not the COOK & SERVE options. Cook and serve pudding will not set or thicken in this recipe.
- Try different flavors. Feel free to use different flavors of Oreos or instant pudding mix. Mint Oreos or chocolate pudding are fun options!
- Adjust the powdered sugar. Add more or less powdered sugar to get the desired sweetness in the filling. I like to give the mixture a taste and add more as needed.
- Make the texture thicker. This is a SOFT no bake dessert. You can add an additional 8 ounce package of full fat cream cheese to give it a thicker and more cheesecake-like consistency.
- Chill. As tempting as it is to dive in immediately, it’s important to let the Oreo dirt cake chill for at least 4 hours. This not only improves the flavor but gives the filling time to set and firm up.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover Oreo dirt cake in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the Oreos will soften and get soggy the longer it sits and that the gummy worms will harden in the fridge.
Oreo Dirt Cake
Ingredients
- 13.29 ounce Oreos crushed
- 2 (3.4-ounce) instant French vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese full-fat, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup powdered sugar or to taste
- 16 ounces whipped topping thawed
- Gummy worms for topping
Instructions
- Place Oreo cookies into food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.
- Spread half of the crushed Oreos into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside.
- Add milk and instant pudding mix to a large bowl. Whisk until smooth and thickened, Let sit about 5 minutes.
- In another large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.
- Add the prepared pudding and mix until well incorporated.
- Use a rubber spatula and fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture until well combined.
- Add the mixture into the baking dish and spread over the Oreo crumbs.
- Top with the remaining Oreo crumbs. Cover with plastic and let chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
- Top with gummy worms when ready to serve. (Gummy worms will harden in the fridge.)
Last Step:
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