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Home ยป Recipes ยป Desserts ยป No-Bake ยป Oreo Dirt Cake

Oreo Dirt Cake

April 27, 2022 by Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life 14 Comments

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This cookies and cream pudding dessert is a family favorite! Our Oreo Dirt Cake recipe is super easy and calls for layers of crushed Oreos to alternate with creamy pudding, cream cheese and Cool Whip.

Plate of Oreo dirt cake next to 9 x 13 pan of pudding dessert

Dirt Cake in a 9×13 Pan

This classic dirt cake or dirt pudding dessert is almost always brought to big family parties or potlucks because it’s always a winner that kids and adults love! Just like Chocolate Delight you expect to find at least one of these two pudding dessert recipes on the buffet table.

Oreo cookies are a family favorite dessert. Rather we mix them in Oreo Crispy Cookie Treats or make a pie crust for our Oreo Peanut Butter Pie we LOVE them! I try to keep a hidden pack somewhere when I want to make this recipe. Otherwise the Oreos are likely to disappear!

Pudding is so good on it’s own, but when it’s enhanced with powdered sugar and whipped topping and topped with Oreos vanilla pudding becomes irresistible! A similar filling mixture in our Cream Puff Cake reminds me of how amazing a pudding filling can be.

9 x 13 glass dish of easy dirt cake

This no-bake dessert is great to make because it is easy, popular and can be decorated so many ways.  Using a basic 9×13 pan is my preference because it’s the quickest way to make this recipe. I always use a clear 9×13 pan so you can see the layers.

A 9×13 glass dish with a lid is so simple to fit in the refrigerator and easy to transport. Plastic wrap or foil are better than leaving the dish uncovered, but a firm plastic lid makes the dish stackable and it is reusable too.

Decorating Dirt Pudding

I made this recipe for a 4-H cooking contest and put a couple more layers of cookies and cream in a sand bucket, added gummy worms on top and served with a little shovel. A garden pot can be used and artificial flowers added to the top for a fun flair.

Gummy worms are often added to this dirt themed dessert. Gummy worms can be laid in the cream layer, laid on top of the Oreo “dirt” or mixed in a couple layers with only part of the gummy worm sticking out of the cookie crumbs.  

Peep bunnies are super cute at Easter. There are many more spooky options using Halloween candy to vary the theme based on the holiday.

This dessert is also beautiful served in a trifle dish or large glass bowl where multiple layers are visible from the side.

You are only limited by your imagination when thinking of fun ways to display and serve this no bake dessert dirt cake.

Variations of Dirt Cake Ingredients

As a chocolate lover the first version I tried as an adult uses chocolate pudding instead of instant vanilla pudding mix. Chocolate pudding and Oreos taste fine. Future trials confirmed the contrast between the vanilla pudding and chocolate Oreos tastes AMAZING!

I wondered if the powdered sugar and butter were necessary in an already sweet dessert, so I also tested variations of dirt cake ingredients. The butter gives more depth of flavor and the powdered sugar brings a sweet balance to the entire creamy mixture.

Spoonful of Oreo dirt cake over plate of pudding dessert

Since Cool Whip comes in regular 8 ounces and large 16 ounce tubs I wondered why not pick an existing container size? Cool Whip makes the dessert more light and airy and decreases the sweetness factor. So using only a small tub results in a slightly heavier pudding mixture and using a large tub makes the dessert lighter. This adjustment is the most minor flavor change that we tested.

Using whipped cream is a possibility too, but it takes a lot more effort to prepare that whipped topping. We like easy, so Cool Whip is the winner for us.

Dirt Cups

In this day and age where buffet lines at a potluck or sharing serving utensils raise more concerns, this layer dessert can easily be served in individual cups of any size.  Clear cups are best to use because you can see the layers and we eat with our eyes!  

When making dirt pudding cups I like to have an extra pack of Oreos handy so that I don’t have to worry about measuring exact proportions.  If there’s extra cream left just crush some more Oreos to make a few more cups.  

Ingredients Needed To Make Dirt Cake

  • Oreos or another chocolate sandwich cookie
  • Instant vanilla pudding
  • Cool Whip or frozen whipped topping
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Milk
  • Cream Cheese
  • Butter
Crushed Oreos on top of creamy pudding mixture to make Dirt Cake

Tips For Making Dirt Pudding

  • Oreo cookies can be crushed with a rolling pin or food processor. We find the machine makes the most consistent crushed cookie product.
  • Start with softened cream cheese and butter or pudding mixture will likely be lumpy.
  • Tastes best when chilled. Mixture will be cool after an hour in the refrigerator, but 4 hours of refrigeration is optimum.
  • Flavors meld together and taste great the first 2 days, but the Oreos begin to get soggy. Dirt cake lasts for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Always store in the refrigerator. Recipe does not freeze well.
  • Our family didn’t notice a flavor difference between vanilla and French vanilla pudding. We noticed that the regular vanilla is more cream-colored where the French vanilla is more yellowish. Both are enjoyable in this dish!

How To Make Dirt Cake 

  1. Finely crush Oreos.  Using a food processor is the easiest way to make the “dirt” uniform.
  2. Add softened cream cheese and butter to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth.  Then stir in powdered sugar and mix well. 
  3. In a large mixing bowl whisk together instant pudding and milk. Fold in whipped topping. Add spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture and mix well.
  4. Layer half of crushed Oreos in the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Ensure layer of Oreos is level and visible all the way around the edge.
  5. Pour cream layer and gently spread out evenly without disturbing too many Oreos on the bottom.
  6. Sprinkle remaining Oreo crumbs on top. Cover dish and refrigerated until chilled, about 4 hours.
  7. Store in the refrigerator.
Layers of crushed Oreos, vanilla pudding, cream cheese and cool whip

Other Easy Desserts with Pudding

  • Pistachio Pudding Cake
  • Banana Cream Delight
  • Candy Land Dessert 
  • Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake
  • Smores Dessert Cake

Printable Dirt Pudding Recipe

Plate of Oreo dirt pudding

Oreo Dirt Cake

Oreo Dirt Cake is a super easy recipe that calls for layers of crushed Oreos to alternate with creamy pudding, cream cheese and Cool Whip layers.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Oreo Dirt Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 20 people
Calories: 230kcal
Author: Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces Oreos
  • 4 tablespoons butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 large boxes instant vanilla pudding 10.2 ounces total
  • 12 ounces Cool Whip 1 1/2 small containers

Instructions

  • Use a food processor to crush Oreos. Sprinkle half in the bottom of an ungreased 9 x 13 inch pan. Set remaining Oreos aside.
  • Use electric mixer to cream butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar.
  • In a large seperate bowl whisk pudding and milk together. Fold in Cool Whip.
  • Add spoonfuls of creamed mixture to pudding mixture and mix well. Pour on top of Oreos in 9 x 13 inch pan.
  • Sprinkle remaining crushed Oreos on top.

Video

Notes

  • Start with softened cream cheese and butter or pudding mixture will likely be lumpy.
  • Tastes best when chilled. Mixture will be cool after an hour in the refrigerator, but 4 hours of refrigeration is optimum.
  • Flavors meld together and taste great the first 2 days, but the Oreos get soggy after that.
  • Always store in the refrigerator. Recipe does not freeze well.
  • We have made this recipe using both 2 small boxes of instant pudding and 2 large boxes of instant pudding mix, we prefer using large boxes for maximum flavor.

Equipment

Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowls
9×13 Baking Dish
Silicone Spatula

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Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 321IU | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Follow me@PlowingThroughLife and mention #PlowingThroughLife!

Originally published 7/17/20 and updated on 4/27/22.

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Filed Under: Desserts, No-Bake, Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    April 3, 2021 at 4:10 pm

    Do you really need 10.2 oz of pudding?

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      April 5, 2021 at 12:12 am

      Hey There! That’s the amount we use and we love the recipe! There’s several variations, so you may enjoy others more. Hope you find the best one for you and your crowd ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Caitlyn

    May 9, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe

    Reply
  3. Cathy

    September 4, 2021 at 1:15 am

    The recipe states 2 small pkg. pudding, which is 6.8 oz. The recipe also says that it uses 10.2 oz. of pudding mix, which is equivalent to 2 large boxes. Which is the correct amount?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      September 13, 2021 at 5:44 pm

      Hey There! Thanks so much for asking! We have used both small and large, but we prefer using 2 large boxes, so I clarified that in the recipe card. Thanks again for the note! Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Stephanie

    September 4, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    You said to use 2 small boxes of pudding mix, a total of 10.2oz. Well the small boxes are 3.4 and large boxes are 5.1oz. So Iโ€™m assuming you mean use the large boxes?

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      September 13, 2021 at 5:44 pm

      Hey There! Thanks so much for asking! We have used both small and large, but we prefer using 2 large boxes, so I clarified that in the recipe card. Thanks again for the note! Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Joyce Branthoover

      February 20, 2023 at 5:50 am

      5 stars
      Can this be frozen?

    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      February 20, 2023 at 1:21 pm

      Hey There! I haven’t tested freezing the recipe, but I do think it could affect the quality of the pudding and potentially make the oreos a bit more soft.

  5. Robin Campbell

    January 7, 2022 at 12:27 am

    Do I remove the creme from the oreos before I chop them?

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      January 7, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      Hey there – Great question! I like to crush the full Oreo with creme and all! Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Mia

    October 31, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    Made this today and it was just as good as the childhood dirt cake I remember! We also used the 2 big boxes and it was perfect!!!

    Reply
  7. CJ

    November 23, 2022 at 2:11 am

    Is only 3 1/2 cups of milk total correct? Each 5.1 oz. instant pudding box calls for 3 cups of milk.

    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

      November 24, 2022 at 7:27 pm

      Hey There! You are correct, just use 3 1/2 cups of milk. It helps make the filling so much more silky smooth and amazing. Hope you enjoy as much as we do ๐Ÿ™‚

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