The Best Oreo Dirt Cake
Updated Sep 27, 2026
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This Easy Dirt Cake Recipe (Oreo Dirt Pudding) is one of our favorite no-bake desserts! Crushed Oreos are layered between a French vanilla pudding mixture for a kid-friendly, make-ahead dessert recipe perfect for any potluck or BBQ! Add gummy worms for a whimsical touch!
The first time I took a bite of this Oreo dirt cake at a friend’s graduation party I knew I had to have the recipe. His mom graciously shared her recipe with me and I have been making it ever since (for almost 20 years).
Since then, I have dialed it in and tweaked it to perfection, down to the exact type and brand of pudding to use to make the absolute best Oreo dirt cake you’ll ever taste.
This dirt pudding is one of our favorite no-bake desserts! It’s a kid-friendly, make-ahead recipe that’s perfect to serve at any potluck or BBQ. Everyone raves about it, like Linda:
I am back to print this recipe to send it to 8 of the people at the party where I provided dirt cake for dessert!! It was a hit and I will now be sending to the hostess and several of the party attendees. It is not that difficult to make and it is so yummy and really unique. It truly does serve 16 – 20 and I love it!!!
– Linda
Why You’ll Love This Dirt Cake Recipe
- Easy, no-bake dessert. Make it in 20 minutes, then let it set in the fridge.
- Best when made in advance. Dirt cake actually tastes best after chilling overnight so you can make it the day before and bring it to a party!
- Best texture. Using Oreo crumbs and chopped cookie pieces makes the best texture.
- Loved by all. Of course kids love it, but I can tell you from almost 20 years of making it that adults love it just as much!
- Easy to serve. Make it in a trifle dish, 9×13″ or make individual dirt pudding cups.
Dirt Cake Ingredients & Substitutions
This dirt pudding is the absolute best when it’s made exactly as written. However, let’s discuss the ingredients & possible substituions.
- Milk. I recommend using 2% milk or whole milk.
- French Vanilla Pudding. This is the secret ingredient that makes this recipe the best. I use Jello Instant French Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling and it is the absolute best. I once bought an off brand french vanilla pudding and Ritch could actually taste the difference! Now you could substitute regular vanilla pudding or chocolate pudding (to look more like dirt), but I really think the secret to making the best dirt cake ever is using french vanilla pudding! Or, make your own homemade vanilla pudding or homemade chocolate pudding. Or use instant chocolate pudding like in this dirt cups recipe.
- Oreos. I only ever buy double stuffed Oreos, but any variety with any amount of “stuff” work well. This recipe calls for a 15 oz package, but you can add more if you wish! You can also use gluten-free sandwich cookies or another cookie if you prefer (such as JoJos).
- Butter. salted or unsalted butter works perfectly in this recipe. I use salted.
- Cool Whip. Any cool whip variety works great in this dirt cake recipe. I chose extra creamy because we are already indulging when we make this recipe, so I want it to be as rich and creamy as possible! Choose your favorite! Or you can make your own homemade whipped cream (I now do this more often than using cool whip)!
How to Make Dirt Cake
This dirt cake recipe is really easy to make! Let’s walk through it step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video!
Mix the Pudding & Milk
The French vanilla pudding needs to be mixed with the milk and then put in the fridge to set. Which is why I recommend doing this step first so that it can set while you’re mixing the rest of the pudding ingredients together and chopping the Oreos!
Chop Some of The Oreos
Remove eight Oreos (or more if you bought a family-sized bag) from the package and chop them into ¼” to ½” pieces. This simple step makes this dirt cake recipe extra special.
My absolute favorite bites of this dirt pudding are the ones that contain big chunks of soft Oreos. They have the best texture after they’re pudding-infused from chilling overnight! Trust me, don’t skip this step!
Crush the Rest of the Oreos
After you’ve chopped a few Oreos, crush the rest. It’s very easy to do this in a food processor fitted with an “S” blade. Just be aware that you may have to pause, release any Oreos that get stuck to the blades, and process some more!
If you don’t have a food processor you can use a rolling pin. Just be sure to crush them into a fine powder so they look like dirt!!
Make the Pudding Layer
Continue making the pudding layer by creaming the butter and cream cheese together in a large mixing bowl. The key to this step is to make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened and at room temperature so they’re easy to combine!
I recommend using a standing mixer, but I used a hand mixer with great success!
Next, beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth.
Then, beat in the chilled and thickened pudding mixture until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
Finally, fold in the cool whip. This is the only ingredient in the pudding mixture that doesn’t get beaten. Simply fold it into the pudding mixture with a spatula until it’s fully incorporated and the pudding is homogenous (uniform throughout).
Assemble the Dirt Cake
Now that you have made the pudding and prepared the “dirt” (Oreos) it’s time to layer them together to make this Oreo Dirt Cake! Each layer consists of the following:
- 1 to 2 cups of pudding mixture (depending on if you want 3 or 4 layers)
- ½ cup crushed Oreos
- ¼ cup chopped Oreos
The amounts of ingredients will differ if you use a different serving dish other than this glass trifle dish. I discuss more serving options later on.
Start by spreading pudding into the bottom of a glass trifle dish. Then sprinkle the first portion of cookie crumbs over the pudding and spread it out evenly.
Next, add the chopped cookies and then another layer of pudding.
Spread out the next cookie crumb layer over the second layer of pudding, then add the second portion of chopped cookies.
Then spread more pudding on top and sprinkle some gummy worms into this layer. This is optional, you can either wait and just add them to the top, or you can even put them in every layer if you want. The amount of gummy worms is a very personal decision and you can do whatever you’d like here.
Then continue by adding another layer of cookie crumbs and chopped cookies.
Finally, add the last pudding layer and some more cookies crumbs and gummy worms. We don’t put chopped cookies on the top – the goal is for the crumbs on top to look like dirt the worms are living in!
Chill Overnight
For the best Oreo dirt cake, cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight, or for at least 12 hours before serving.
Don’t skip this step! While the dirt cake chills, the Oreo layers soften slightly and absorb some of the pudding mixture. The flavors blend together and the filling sets, creating the perfect creamy texture. Plus one of the benefits of this no-bake dessert is that it’s made the day before a big party, freeing you up to enjoy it more.
If you’re short on time, you can serve dirt cake after a few hours in the refrigerator, but after making this recipe for almost 20 years I can confidently say it’s significantly better when chilled overnight.
Ways to Serve Oreo Dirt Cake
After exercising amazing self-control and patience letting this Dirt Cake recipe chill overnight, it’s time to finally dig in.
There are a few different “vessels’ you can use to make this Oreo Dirt Cake recipe.
- Glass Trifle Dish: I used this Trifle Bowl from Crate and Barrel to make this recipe as pictured! It’s a really beautiful piece of serving-ware and it’s affordable ($25)! If you’re an Amazon shopper then this Trifle Bowl is another great choice, and it’s only $19!
- When using a dish like this I like to serve it with a long serving spoon!
- A Cute Bucket. When I have felt like going the extra mile for the kids, I have made this dirt pudding to take to a BBQ or potluck in a cute metal bucket or a plastic bucket and serve it with a shovel.
- Individual Dirt Cake Cups: You can always break the recipe down and layer it into individual dirt cake cups for easy serving! These small clear plastic cups are perfect for that! Make sure to check out this dirt cups recipe!
- 9×13″ Glass Baking Dish. If you’d rather just spread this dirt cake out into a 9×13″ baking dish that works as well! You will likely only get two layers of each, and I recommend starting with a pudding layer on the bottom! Bonus if the baking dish has a lid for easy transport!
How to Store Dirt Cake
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or you can wrap the top of the serving dish with plastic wrap to keep in the refrigerator too.
Freeze
Store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator (do not microwave).
More Delicious No Bake Recipes
If you love this dirt cake, you’ll love these recipes:
- Dirt cups are made with chocolate pudding and in individual portions.
- No bake oreo cheesecake is so delicous and easy to make.
- Also try my Oreo pie – it’s our go-to for Thanksgiving.
- No bake Oreo truffles are made with 4 ingredients!
- This puppy chow recipe is my all-time favorite.
Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe FAQs
This recipe is called “dirt cake” or “dirt pudding” because it the cookies look like dirt! Adding worms and a few flowers on top can make it look like a cute garden dirt plot.
Dirt cake is a no-bake dessert made with crushed Oreo cookies and a creamy pudding filling. This recipe combines French vanilla pudding, cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and Cool Whip, then layers the filling with both crushed and chopped Oreos.
Yes, you can freeze this dirt cake in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Yes! Dirt cake is actually better when it’s made ahead of time. For the best flavor and texture, assemble the entire Oreo dirt cake, cover it and refrigerate it overnight (at least 12 hours) before serving. I usually make it the day before I want to serve it.
Yes, dirt cake and dirt pudding are the same thing. This dessert is also known as Oreo dirt cake, Oreo dirt pudding or worms in dirt.
I recommend instant French vanilla pudding for dirt cake. I’ve been making this recipe for almost 20 years, and French vanilla pudding gives the filling the best flavor. Regular instant vanilla pudding or chocolate pudding can also be used. Or, make your own homemade vanilla pudding or homemade chocolate pudding.
Absolutely not! Please don’t do this – the cream is the best part! Crush the whole Oreo cookies, including the creme filling.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Best Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe (Dirt Pudding)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3½ cups whole milk
- 6.8 ounces instant French vanilla pudding (two 3.4 oz packages)
- 28 Oreo cookies (one 14 ounce package, divided)
- ½ cup salted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces cool whip (thawed in the refrigerator)
- Gummy worms (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Oreos
- Remove 8 Oreos from the package and place on a cutting board.
- Cut the cookies into small, ¼” pieces, set aside.
- Put the remaining Oreos (about 20 cookies) into the container of a food processor fit with an “S” blade.
- Process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You may need to pause, break apart cookies that get stuck to the blades, and continue processing.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can crush the Oreos with a rolling pin.
- Set aside.
Make the Pudding
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding. Set aside in the refrigerator to solidify.
- In the bowl of your standing mixer or with a hand-held mixer in a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese. Beat until well combined & smooth (about 30-60 seconds).
- Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Add pudding to the butter/cream cheese mixture (make sure it has set before adding), and beat on low speed to combined.
- Fold in cool whip until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout).
Assemble the Dirt Cake
- Layer the pudding mixture and cookies. Start by pouring 2 cups of pudding mixture into the bottom of a trifle dish and spread it until level.
- Sprinkle ½ cup cookie crumbs and ¼ cup chopped cookies evenly over the pudding.
- Repeat using 2 cups of pudding, ½ cup cookie crumbs and ¼ cup chopped cookies for each layer.
- Add gummy worms to each layer as desired, or only add some to the top.
- Be sure the final layer is cookie crumbs.
Chill Overnight & Serve
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 12 hours. Then serve cold.
Notes
- Milk. I recommend using 2% milk or whole milk.
- French Vanilla Pudding. you can use instant vanilla or chocolate pudding if you can’t find French vanilla. Or make your own homemade vanilla pudding or chocolate pudding.
- Oreos. I suggest double stuffed Oreos, but any variety with any amount of “stuff” work well. This recipe calls for a 14 oz package (normal size, usually contains 28 cookies), but you can add more! You can also use gluten-free sandwich cookies or another cookie if you prefer (such as JoJos).
- Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well.
- Cool Whip. You can make your own homemade whipped cream instead if you prefer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How much powdered sugar do you use?
Click the “jump to recipe button” and you will see the amount in the recipe card.
Friend gave me a sample of hers that she made and found it very good. I’m going to be making this one in the near future. Thank you for the recipe
Can I make the filling a few days ahead of time and then assemble that morning? Or should I still make and assemble the night before?
It’s best when it’s assembled and left to rest in the fridge overnight.
Do you double the recipe if your planning on serving it in a bucket style dish?
The trifle dish used in this recipe holds 96 ounces. So it’s all about the capacity of your bucket.
Laura, I am allergic to chocolate! Have you ever tried this recipe with vanilla Oreo?
You can definitely do that!
I made this for a family get together and it was a big hit with both the kids and adults! I’ll be using this recipe again.
Thank you so much Rachael!