Why It Rocks
Layers of silky pudding cream, crushed Oreos that mimic “soil,” and gummy worms peeking out for playful drama. This no bake dessert hits every nostalgic note while feeding a crowd with zero oven time. Perfect for cookouts, birthdays, or any day a casserole dish of chocolate bliss feels right.
Ingredient Line Up (9×13 inch pan | 12–15 servings)
| Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Double Stuf Oreos | 1 family size package (about 45 cookies) | More crème = softer “dirt” |
| Instant chocolate pudding mix (5.1 oz boxes) | 2 | Choose “instant,” not cook and serve |
| Cold whole milk | 3 cups | Slightly less than box directs for thicker set |
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 oz | |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 4 Tbsp (½ stick) | |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup | |
| Cool Whip or whipped topping, thawed | 1 (12 oz) tub | |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 tsp | |
| Optional décor | ||
| Gummy worms, mint sprigs, candy flowers | As desired |
Step by Step
- Pulverize the “dirt”
- Pulse Oreos in a food processor until fine crumbs. (No processor? Zip top bag + rolling pin works.)
- Reserve 1 cup crumbs for topping; leave the rest in a bowl.
- Mix pudding
- Whisk pudding mixes with 3 cups cold milk for 2 minutes; refrigerate to thicken.
- Whip cream cheese layer
- Beat softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until light.
- Fold in vanilla and thawed Cool Whip until no streaks remain.
- Assemble layers
- Sprinkle half the Oreo crumbs into bottom of 9×13 pan.
- Spread entire cream cheese mixture evenly.
- Spoon chilled chocolate pudding over the cream layer.
- Finish with remaining Oreo crumbs, gently pressing so they adhere.
- Decorate & chill
- Tuck gummy worms halfway into the “soil,” add mint sprigs for “plants.”
- Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight = best texture).
Quick Tips & Variations
| Need a twist? | Swap / Add |
|---|---|
| Peanut butter dirt | Blend ½ cup creamy PB into the cream cheese layer. |
| Mint garden | Use Mint Oreos + ¼ tsp peppermint extract in pudding. |
| Single serves | Layer components in 10 oz clear cups for grab and go. |
| Gluten free | Use GF chocolate sandwich cookies; everything else is GF. |
Texture hack: Keep a few Oreo chunks slightly larger for a satisfying crunch contrast.
Storage
- Fridge: Covered, up to 4 days (cookies soften more each day).
- Freeze: Not recommended cream layers can separate.
Nutrition Snapshot (1/15 pan)
| Calories | Carbs | Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~315 | 36 g | 17 g | 4 g |
Creamy nostalgia with a playful crunch Oreo Dirt Cake never outgrows its crowd pleasing charm. Grab a spoon and dig in!
