Dirt Dessert
A recipe for classic dirt dessert! This straightforward summer dessert features alternating layers of crushed Oreos and a chocolate pudding mixture. It is made to look like dirt, complete with (gummy) worms!
We tend to think we're a “regular Joe” when it comes to the type of desserts that we enjoy. We are more a “handful of chocolate chips” type of girl than a spun sugar, fancy cake kind of girl. Many times, we crave what we loved when we were a kid.
This dirt dessert is one that we remember fondly. We distinctly remember eating it while visiting our parents’ friends during the summer. They had two daughters roughly the same age as us and our sister, and we all got together often when we were little. Our mom’s friend Karen would serve this in individual cups or faux flower pots to all of the kids. We thought it was the coolest thing, and we still appreciate all of the wonderful flavors as an adult. (we even secretly enjoy eating the gummy worms!)
The old-fashioned dirt dessert recipe consists of alternating layers of crushed Oreo cookies and a chocolate pudding mixture that has been lightened up with cream cheese and Cool Whip. You can make this dessert as speedy and straightforward as you’d like, or you can substitute from-scratch versions of the Oreo cookies, chocolate pudding and Cool Whip for a 100% from-scratch dessert. We have written the dessert as it was made by our family, but feel free to make any of those substitutions if you’d like. The combination of flavors is bound to be rich no matter what!
What were your favorite childhood desserts?
One year ago: Chocolate Dump-It Cake
Two years ago: Top 10 List: Favorite Side Dishes
Five years ago: Sausage, Mozzarella & Basil Stuffed Peppers
Eight years ago: Pizzelles
Watch How to Make Dirt Dessert:
This recipe was originally published on May 20, 2013.
- Yield: 16 to 20 servings
- Prep: 30 minutes
- Total: 4 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 14.3 ounce ( 405.4 g ) Oreo Cookies
- 7.8 ounce ( 221.13 g ) instant chocolate pudding
- 4 cups ( 976 ml ) milk
- 8 ounces ( 226.8 g ) cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup ( 56.75 g ) butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup ( 120 g ) powdered sugar
- 8 ounce ( 226.8 g ) container Cool Whip
- Gummy worms, optional
Method
- Crush the Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor (or, place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin); set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together both boxes of the instant pudding with the milk for about 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, add the powdered sugar, then gradually increase the speed back to medium until a fluffy texture is reached.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate pudding, then fold in the Cool Whip until completely combined.
- The dessert can be assembled in a number of ways – in a rectangular or square serving dish, in a trifle dish, or in individual cups. However you plan to serve it, layer the dessert with alternating layers of the crushed Oreos and pudding mixture, beginning and ending with the crushed Oreos. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before serving. Decorate the top with gummy worms before serving, if desired.
Notes
This recipe was originally published on May 20, 2013.
