My no-bake dirt cake recipe is incredibly easy and quick to make, and it’s prepped in just 15 minutes! I crush up Oreos and combine instant chocolate pudding with cream cheese and Cool Whip to make all of those tasty layers.

My Easy Dirt Cake Recipe 

My kids absolutely adore this dirt cake recipe. The first time we tried it was at a cousin’s birthday party, and they just couldn’t believe that they were allowed to eat “dirt.” At the time, I don’t think they understood that the dirt they were referring to was actually just crushed-up Oreo cookies. They were so cute about it that I didn’t have the heart to tell them!

Fast-forward to my son Connor’s next birthday. When I asked what kind of cake he wanted, he said (without any hesitation, I might add), “The dirt one.” I was about to laugh and tell him that we couldn’t eat dirt, and then I remembered. He was probably remembering the Oreo pudding recipe!

I happily obliged and made sure to include some of his favorite candy on top too. Gummy worms were a definite, and I also added a few mini candy bars. His little gasp of excitement when it was time to sing Happy Birthday quite honestly made my day. 

This one will be a hit for adults, too. With Oreos, chocolate pudding, cream cheese, and Cool Whip, there isn’t much not to like!

And, if you love a good cake recipe, try my recipes for chocolate lasagna, pineapple dump cake, lemon poke cake, jello cake, cherry dump cake, and Oreo mug cake.

Dirt Pudding Recipe Ingredients

• Oreos – this acts as the “dirt” in the recipe
• Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – I recommend instant pudding so it’s a true no-bake and no-cook recipe
• Whole Milk – this gives the pudding creaminess, but since I also use cream cheese, low-fat milk will work too
• Unsalted Butter – gives the cake a buttery, creamy texture while helping it keep its shape
• Cream Cheese – for that extra creamy flavor
• Powdered Sugar – to add sweetness to the dirt cake
• Cool Whip – gives the dirt cake a little fluffiness while keeping it sweet
• Gummy Worms – optional for topping the cake

How to Make Dirt Cake

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Add the Oreos to a food processor and pulse until they start to look like dirt. Add half of the crumbs to the baking dish and flatten it into an even layer with a spoon.

STEP TWO: Add the chocolate pudding mix and whole milk to a large bowl and whisk until thickened. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese, then add the powdered sugar. Mix until light and fluffy. 

STEP THREE: Incorporate the cream cheese mixture into the pudding, then fold in the Cool Whip until no white streaks remain. Dollop the chocolate mixture on top of the Oreo layer, smoothing out the top as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with the rest of the Oreo crumbs.

STEP FOUR: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Oreo Dirt Cake

• I always make a point to bring the butter and cream cheese to room temp as this makes the creaming step a lot easier.
• The Oreos are supposed to look like dirt, so make sure not to pulse until completely smooth. A few bigger chunks are more than welcome!
• I wouldn’t use Double Stuf Oreos for this recipe as it doesn’t need all of that extra frosting.
• When preparing the instant pudding, don’t follow the directions on the box. Some mixes call for different amounts of milk. Make sure to refer to my instructions on the recipe card instead.
• Use a silicone spatula to carefully smooth the chocolate pudding layer over the Oreos. The goal is to keep the “dirt” intact.
• Don’t rush the chilling step! The cake needs to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, though I think the texture and flavor are best after about 4 hours.

Dirt Cake Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• I’ve also used mint, dark chocolate, and peanut butter-flavored Oreos to make this! It truly depends on the season, if I’m making it for a potluck, or what my kids happen to be into at the moment. 
• The added gummy worms on top are totally optional… but definitely encouraged. My son especially gets such a kick out of seeing the worms “playing” in the dirt. I make this variation for Halloween and his birthday.
• Another fun thing I like to do for my kids’ birthday parties is make the cake into individual servings by using little glass jars. This way, everyone gets an even portion.
• Peeps are super fun for Easter too! Or, try adding some pastel-colored M&M’s or some chocolate eggs. One of the best parts of this recipe is that the decorations can be switched up so easily, making it appropriate for any occasion.

What to Serve with this Dirt Pudding Recipe

I love getting creative with my cake toppings. The gummy worms are a great start, and extras like whipped cream, sprinkles, Reese’s Pieces, M&M’s, and mini candy bars are all fun too. Don’t hesitate to go all in on a seasonal or holiday theme either. Golden Oreos would be fun to create a beach theme, for example, or opt for candy flowers for spring!

Dirt Cake Recipe FAQs

What is dirt cake made of?

Dirt cake is made with crushed Oreos, instant chocolate pudding mix, cream cheese, Cool Whip, and a few other key ingredients. The crushed cookie layers on the bottom and top of the cake look a lot like dirt, which is how the recipe got its name!

How should I store leftover Oreo dirt cake? 

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I typically store any extra toppings separately to prevent anything from going soggy.

Can I make this dirt cake recipe ahead of time?

Yes! I often make this cake a day in advance so the flavors really have a chance to meld. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Again, I usually hold off on adding any extras like the gummy worms until I’m ready to serve.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

• Peanut butter balls
• Canned peach pie
• Cheesecake brownies
• Hershey kiss cookies
• Banana pudding cookies
• Chess pie