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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Published: Oct 12, 2022 · Last Modified: Oct 12, 2022 by kelsey

    Oreo Dirt Cake

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    This Oreo Dirt Cake has chocolate pudding, a chocolate Oreo topping, a layer of cookie crumbs and gummy worms on top! It’s like the childhood classic “Dirt Cups” but in a delicious cake form!

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    Piece of cake with other pieces in the foreground and background.

    Did you grow up requesting Dirt Cups for your birthday?? It was a favorite dessert of mine growing up!! When I chose a birthday treat for school, I typically debated between Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes and Oreo dirt dessert cups.

    If you're not sure what a "dirt cup" is, it's essentially a cup with chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, Oreo crumbs and a worm setting on the top layer. It's such a delicious dessert, but I thought it would be fun to turn it into a poke cake recipe, so here we are!

    Overhead view of a slice of oreo dirt cake with a worm on top.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Chocolate Cake Mix, prepared (or a homemade 9x13” chocolate cake)
    • Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix
    • Milk
    • Oreo Sandwich Cookies
    • Whipped Topping
    • Chocolate Syrup
    • Gummy Worms

    How to Make Oreo Dirt Cake

    First, you’ll make a chocolate cake. You can either use a boxed cake mix and prepare it according to the package instructions OR make a homemade chocolate cake. I love this chocolate cake recipe and use it over a box mix most times (it’s just so good)!!! 

    Chocolate cake with holes.

    Then use the end of a wooden spoon or a straw to poke holes into the cake. Be sure to poke the holes only about ⅔ the way through the cake, not to the bottom.

    Whisk mixing chocolate instant pudding mix and milk.

    Next, you’ll mix the milk and the instant chocolate pudding mix in a medium bowl. Whisk it together (or use a hand mixer) and then reserve ½ cup of the mixture for later. Spoon the remaining pudding over the cake and spread it out evenly.

    Chocolate pudding being spread out over a cake.

    Now it's time to crush the cookies. I find it easiest to put them in a food processor, but you can also place them in a large resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

    Add the tub of whipped topping and ½ of the crushed cookies to the pudding that you set aside. Stir until well-mixed and then spread over the pudding.

    Oreo whipped topping on a cake.

    Drizzle the chocolate syrup over the whipped topping and then cover the cake with the remaining crushed Oreos to look like dirt.

    Place the gummy worms on top of the dirt cake. I recommend refrigerating for at least an hour to make sure it's completely set up before serving.

    Close up of Oreo Dirt Cake with several gummy worms on top.

    Variations

    Sandy Beach Cake - Use the same concept, but use a yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix (or White chocolate or French vanilla pudding) and Golden Oreos. It'll look like a "sandy beach" rather than "dirt!"

    Oreo Dirt Trifle - Make the cake, let it cool and then cut into cubes. Next, make the pudding and the whipped topping mixture. Place half of the cake cubes into a trifle dish (or glass bowl) followed by half of the pudding, half of the whipped topping mixture and half of the Oreo cookie crumbs. Repeat and then top with gummy worms!

    Other Options - Feel free to get creative - there are lots of fun ways to mix it up! Use different cake flavors, pudding flavors, different flavors of Oreos, etc.!

    Close up of Oreo Dirt Cake with a red gummy worm on top.

    Other Desserts for Oreo Lovers

    Oreo Mini Cheesecakes - The chocolate cookies on the bottom of these are a fun surprise for weeknight desserts or special occasions!

    Oreo Fudge - This easy recipe is a family favorite!! ...and it's a no bake dessert, so that's always a plus!!

    Cookies and Cream Puppy Chow - Chocolate Oreos are made into fine crumbs and used as the coating in this delicious snack mix!

    Oreo Dirt Cake

    Author:Kelsey
    This Oreo Dirt Cake has chocolate pudding, a chocolate Oreo topping, a layer of cookie crumbs and gummy worms on top! Nostalgic & so good!!!
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    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Chill Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 2 hours hrs
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20

    Equipment

    • One 9x13-inch pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box chocolate cake mix* + ingredients called for on back of box
    • One 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate pudding mix
    • 2 cups cold milk
    • 30 Oreo cookies crushed, divided
    • One 8 ounce tub whipped topping
    • ⅓ cup chocolate syrup
    • 12 gummy worms

    Instructions
     

    • Make the chocolate cake in a 9x13" pan according to package instructions.
    • Use the end of a wooden spoon or a straw to poke holes into the cake and let cool completely.
    • Mix the milk and pudding mix together; scoop ½ cup of the pudding into another bowl and spread the rest over the cake.
    • Add half of the crushed cookies and the tub of whipped topping to the ½ cup of pudding.
    • Mix well and then spread over the pudding.
    • Drizzle the chocolate syrup over the whipped topping mixture and then sprinkle the remaining cookies over that.
    • Place the gummy worms over the "dirt" and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.

    Notes

    *Can also make a homemade 9x13-inch chocolate cake.
    Keyword cake, chocolate cake, poke cake
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Katrina says

      June 24, 2023 at 10:47 am

      Will texture stay good if made the day before?

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        August 06, 2023 at 10:02 pm

        Yes! That shouldn't be a problem at all.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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