Oreo Dirt Cake is one of the best desserts taking only minutes to prepare. Deliciously addicting, this dirt cake is loaded with chocolate goodness in every bite. Moist chocolate cake combined with hot fudge, pudding, Cool Whip, and crushed Oreos! The ULTIMATE sweet tooth lovers dessert!
If you love chocolate peanut butter, you’ll also LOVE my Chocolate Peanut Butter Dirt Cake!
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What is dirt cake?
A kind of American dessert made from broken cookies and pudding, sometimes with gummy worms added, and resembling dirt. Dirt cakes are believed to be a spin on the Mississippi mud pie, a popular chocolate dessert from the 1960s. Dirt cakes took the concept of layering chocolate cookie crumble and pudding, like a trifle. It was first seen in the 1980s in the American Midwest, specifically made for kids.
- Oreo, chocolate, hot fudge, pudding and Cool Whip combined. What could be better, right?
- Quick and Easy- using cake mix (feel free to make homemade), this cake comes together with minimal effort required
- A great make ahead dessert.
- Cool and refreshing for warm summer months.
Dirt Cake Dessert Recipe Ingredients
Full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post
- Chocolate Cake Mix- boxed cake mix is what I use, but feel free to make homemade chocolate cake
- Oreos- crushed
- Hot Fudge
- Chocolate Pudding- instant
- Milk
- Cool Whip- thawed
How to make the BEST Recipe for Dirt Cake
This dirt cake recipe is really easy to make! Let’s walk through it step-by-step!
CAKE
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Prepare cake as directed on box and bake. Once done, remove cake from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
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Using the back of a spoon, poke holes into the cake evenly.
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Warm up the hot fudge in the microwave until it is thin enough to pour. Evenly pour hot fudge, allowing to seep into the poked holes. Allow to fully cool.
PUDDING LAYER
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In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix with the milk.
-
Before the pudding sets fully, pour on top of the cooled cake. Place into refrigerator to allow to chill about 20 minutes.
TOPPING
- In a medium bowl, combine the last package of pudding mix with milk. Place bowl into refrigerator to set fully (about 10 minutes)
- Remove from fridge and fold in the thawed cool whip. Mix in about 3/4 of your crushed Oreos and spread pudding mixture on top of cake evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining crushed Oreos on top of cake and serve or refrigerate until ready to serve!
Supplement Your Dirt Cake Dessert with Dirt Pudding
Dirt pudding is also known as Oreo dirt dessert and dirt cake. It’s a layered dessert made with a crust made of crushed Oreos. Rather than make the cake, you can simply use small containers (or a large bowl) and make pudding with crushed Oreos. Create layers and add a fun gummy worm topping so it resembles dirt and worms. Being that you eliminate the cake, this Dirt Pudding variation becomes a no-bake recipe people of all ages will enjoy.
Dirt Cake Recipe Tips
- 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 dessert 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.
- If you prefer homemade chocolate cake, check out this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake to use in place of boxed mix.
- Feel free to add gummy worms, gummy bugs, or even Peeps to resemble more of the classic “dirt cake” look.
How to store your new Dirt Cake
- Make ahead of time. We almost always make this dessert recipe ahead of time. We typically make this the morning of, but you can also make this up to 24 hours in advance. If possible, we recommend placing the crushed Oreos on top right before serving because those can get a little soft with the moisture of the cake.
- STORE. Oreo Dirt Cake is best stored when covered tightly with Saran Wrap or foil and placed in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- FREEZE. If you are looking to freeze this ahead of time to serve on another day, then I would not recommend freezing it because it will not thaw well. However, if you have leftovers that you want to divide and freeze so that you can eat more like ice cream, then you certainly can.
FAQ’s
How do you crush Oreo’s for dirt cake? To crush Oreos by hand, place them in a zip-top bag, place the bag on a towel to protect your countertop, and then smash the Oreos into fine crumbs using a rolling pin.
How long does dirt cake last in the refrigerator? Once covered, this cake will last about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Is it possible to make this cake ahead of time? Yes! You can make this cake up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge.
What is the best frosting to use for dirt cake recipes? The cool whip/pudding topping is what makes this truly mouthwatering. Using Instant Chocolate Pudding works perfectly and adds great flavor. You can also use a cookies and cream pudding mix.
How do you recommend tweaking a dirt cake recipe? You can add in some Gummy worms, different flavors of Oreos such as mint, peanut butter, or marshmallow. You can even switch the chocolate pudding to vanilla pudding for a fun variation of this dessert recipe.
More Chocolate Recipes to try
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites– fudgy brownies with a creamy peanut butter sauce that is heaven in a tiny bite! The ultimate sweet treat for any occasion!
S’mores Poke Cake– chocolate cake gets poked all over and soaked in a marshmallow creme mixture before being topped with crushed graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and hot fudge sauce.
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake– moist, fudgy brownie base, three layers of light mousse—chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla, and then a glossy topping of chocolate and a tangle of raspberries and chocolate curls on top.
Death by Chocolate Dump Cake– simple and delicious cake your family will want you to make over and over again.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake– delicious cake made of rich chocolate cake, chocolate chips, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The cake may look like an earthquake, but the flavors will absolutely delight!
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Dirt Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
CAKE
- 1 box chocolate cake mix *plus ingredients on back of box
PUDDING LAYER
- 12.8 oz hot fudge
- 3.4 oz chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cup milk
TOPPING
- 30 Oreos, crushed
- 3.4 oz chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1 3/4 cup milk
- 8 oz cool whip, thawed
Instructions
CAKE
- Prepare cake as directed on box and bake.
- Once done, remove cake from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Using the back of a spoon, poke holes into the cake evenly.
- Warm up the hot fudge in the microwave until it is thin enough to pour.
- Evenly pour hot fudge over cake, allowing to seep into the poked holes.
- Allow cake to fully cool.
PUDDING LAYER
- In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix with the milk.
- Before the pudding sets fully, pour on top of the cooled cake.
- Place cake into refrigerator to allow to chill about 20 minutes.
TOPPING
- In a medium bowl, combine the last package of pudding mix with milk.
- Place bowl into refrigerator to set fully (about 10 minutes)
- Remove from fridge and fold in the thawed cool whip.
- Mix in about 3/4 of your crushed Oreos and spread pudding mixture on top of cake evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining crushed Oreos on top of cake and serve or refrigerate until ready to serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Juqetta Lawson
I want to make this for Christmas this year but I need to double the recipe do I double everything and instead of the milk could I use heavy cream
Kristin
Yep! If doubling, you will double all ingredients and use (2) 9×13 pans! As for using heavy cream in place of the milk, that should work great too! Enjoy!
Heather
Making this now and had to bring up the recipe to see if there were comments on the crushed Oreos. The Ingredients List has 30 Oreos in Pudding Layer. The Instructions put the Oreos under Topping and mention the “pudding mixture.” I am assuming that I do put the Oreos in the whipped topping based on the explanation posted prior to the recipe.
Kristin
Good catch! I had the Oreo addition in the wrong spot on the recipe card. I have corrected that now! You are correct about the location of where and when to add the Oreos, hope you enjoy!
Fancy Tate
I am in the middle of making this and am confused on the meaning of the back of the spoon to poke holes. Can anyone help me with this fairly quick?
Kristin
Sorry for the delayed response. You will want to use the back of a spoon to poke holes in the cake. This allows the pudding to fill the holes and be included in each bite eaten. I use a wooden spoon and use the handle to poke holes. Hope you enjoy!
Dakota
What should I switch the fudge out for if wanting to do a yellow version? Golden Oreos, vanilla pudding, yellow cake mix.
Kristin
Great question! I would either omit, or use caramel as that compliments the yellow version really well. Should be tasty!! Enjoy and keep me posted!
Julie
luv this!!!!! made for company event and I see it will be a hit!
Kristin
Yay!! Love hearing this! Glad you enjoyed!!
Crista
Ooo, yummy! You should try using marshmallow cream instead of fudge. But caramel sounds delicious too!
Kristin
Great idea too!! I’ll try that, thanks!
Darla Greene
I made 2 for my staff today and they all loved it. my boss said it was the best cake he has ate in a long time.
thank you for the recipe I will make this dessert again
Kristin
Yay!! Love hearing that! Glad it was enjoyed!
AC
Do we scrape off the cream from the Oreos or crush them as is? I feel like it would be way too sweet with the cream.
Kristin
Crush as is with the cream, it binds everything and adds lot of yummy flavor!
Kathy Kirchmeier
so we need 2 boxes of pudding? What size?
Kristin
Yes, 2 boxes at the 3.4 ounce size each! Enjoy!
Lusia
Is it better to follow the directions on the box for the pudding mix? All the pudding boxes my store has is 3.9oz. So it asks for 2 cups of milk
Kristin
Yes, that would most likely be the safest option using the boxed directions if bigger boxes! Enjoy!
Heather R Burgette
should the box pudding size be just 1.5oz? double that seems like way too much.
Kristin
You’ll use a 3.4 oz box in this recipe! Enjoy!
George Moy
Do you use two (2) Boxes of pudding mixes ? Because it tells you to mix one of the box of chocolate pudding mix and pour it over the cake and put it aside, then mix the other box of chocolate pudding with the whipped topping and put it over the cake.
Kristin
Yes! One box will be used for the pudding layer, the next box will be used for the topping! Hope you enjoy!
Morgyn
Can you use cook & serve pudding mix instead of instant? My husband accidentally bought the wrong box wondering if I can make it work by cooking it?
Kristin
That should work great as long as you cook it before using in the recipe!! Enjoy!
Sandy
For the pudding layer in the middle and on top are theyFor the putting layer in the top and then making the pudding with the blender, whipping it up like a regular pudding being mixed by a mixer
Kristin
Yes, they are for layers within the recipe! You can use an electric hand mixer or simply use a whisk until thickened. Hope you enjoy!
Iarossi Barbara
what size pan is best
Kristin
I recommend a 9×13 baking dish! Enjoy!
Abbie Kemble
Can this be made a day ahead?
Kristin
Absolutely!! I have done that before and simply warmed up our pieces when serving and it was great!!
Wendy hollands
Can you buy hot fudge or do you make it?
Kristin
I buy hot fudge from the store, but if you prefer making it, that works too!
Amanda
Can the cake part be made a day ahead to save time?
Kristin
Absolutely! That should work good! Enjoy!
Lyn
Is it the frozen cool whip that is thawed? Or regular cool whip?
Thanks 🙂
Kristin
Frozen cool whip that has been thawed is what I use! Hope you enjoy! Keep me posted!!
Linda
Can this be made gluten free? There are gluten free chocolate cake mixed and gluten free Oreos
Kristin
Absolutely! Simply swap ingredients with gluten free and you’re set! Enjoy!
Renee
I made this for a church luncheon and it was a BIG hit !!!
Kristin
Yay!! Love hearing that! Glad it was enjoyed!
Jlbvk
I’m a tremendous chocoholic and this dessert cannot be beat. It may be too sweet for some but our family loves it. I made it a week or so ago for a birthday, and I decided to make it again for Thanksgiving. It’s pretty easy too! Another plus!
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Kristin
Yay!! Glad to hear you love it too!! Its definitely a sweet tooth lovers dream come true! One of my favs!!