This easy, no bake Oreo dirt cake recipe is the perfect treat to cool down the hot summer day, or to serve at your next potluck or BBQ! Made with crushed Oreos layered between white chocolate pudding and cream cheese mixture, it’s truly a classic summer treat to have around!   

We’re a big dessert family but in the summer when it’s sizzling hot, the idea of turning on the oven doesn’t sound like a good idea.  The summer heat isn’t going to stop me from making homemade desserts, though. So, I just turn to my favorite no-bake dessert recipes instead. 

I can remember eating dirt cake at birthday parties as a kid and I started making my own dirt cakes when I was old enough to measure the ingredients. I have been tweaking this recipe for years! I finally think that it is perfect enough to share with everyone so you, too, can enjoy this amazing, easy no bake dessert all summer long.

My make ahead recipe is great for kids parties, cookouts or just to serve on a Friday night after a long week at work. A big bowl of Oreo Dirt Cake is always a good idea!

Ingredients for Oreo Dirt Cake

There are many ways to make a dirt cake and many different ingredients you can use. From different brands of pudding to alternate milks, you can really tweak this recipe in many ways. I happen to think it is perfect exactly as written but you will need to test it out for yourself! Here are the ingredients you will need:

• OREO cookies– Oreo cookie crumbs are the “dirt” in the dirt cake. They are dark and sweet and actually look like dirt. You can sometimes find cookie crumbs in the grocery store, already ground and ready to use. These will work great! But a pack of oreos pulsed in the food processor will also work. 
• butter– Melted butter is blended into the Oreo crumbs to make a pie crust. It is very similar to a graham cracker crust but totally chocolatey. 
• cream cheese– A little cream cheese makes the filling creamy and rich. It also helps stabilize the filling, making it hold its shape when cut. 
• powdered sugar-A little powdered sugar softens the cream cheese and also makes the filling super sweet. This is a dessert after all, it needs to be sweet! 
• instant white chocolate Pudding– I love using white chocolate pudding to make dirt cake. The bright white color looks great next to the dark Oreo crumbs. It is also a sweet, flavorful pudding that really screams of summer. 
• milk– I use whole milk to make the pudding since it gives the pudding a rich taste and texture. You can use other types of milk but they won’t be nearly as decadent as whole milk. I have had success with oat milk and it tasted good but not as great as whole milk can be. 
• whipped topping– Whipped topping is folded into the pudding and cream cheese mix, lightening the filling and making it fluffy and easy to slice.

You will need a few different kitchen tools to make this dirt cake recipe. A food processor and small bowl are needed to mix the Oreo cookie crust. Two large bowls, a hand mixer and a rubber spatula are needed to make the filling. But I bet you already have all of these things in your kitchen ready to go! 

How to Make Oreo Dirt Cake

For the Crust: 

1. Add cookies to food processor and crush to fine crumbs. 

2. Reserve about 1 cup of crumbs and add the remaining crumbs to a large bowl.

3. Melt butter in microwave safe bowl. 

4. Combine melted butter and crumbs to form a crust.

5. Press cookie mixture into 13×9 baking dish.

6. Place in refrigerator to chill while making filling.



For the Filling:

1. In a large bowl, combine pudding and milk until completely smooth.

2. Place in refrigerator 10-15 minutes or until set.

3. In another large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy, then add the powdered sugar and beat until well combined.

4. Fold in whipped topping.

5. Remove the pudding from refrigerator and fold into cream cheese mixture.

6. Remove crust from refrigerator and spread filling evenly over crust. 

7. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. 

8. Place in refrigerator 2-3 hours or overnight to set. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Tips and Tricks for Making Oreo Dirt Cake

I have made this Oreo dirt cake so many times and have figured out a few little tips and tricks that really help the recipe turn out perfectly. Take a look at these before you start mixing so you can really get a good idea about how to make the cake. 

1. Chill overnight– The cake is ready to eat the moment the recipe is done but it really benefits from sitting in the fridge overnight. This will allow the pudding filling to set up and get firm enough to slice. 
2. Add gummy worms–  Gummy worms coming out of a dirt cake is pure fun. I have even found gummy bugs in the past that can go on top of the Oreo cake. Make this dessert whimsical and exciting! 
3. Change up the pudding– I have made this recipe with all different types of pudding. Vanilla, banana, chocolate and even mint pudding all work well. Just keep in mind that the color will change with the flavor!
4. Soften the cream cheese– It will blend in so much better and be super smooth when soft. You don’t want any chunky cream cheese pieces in your Oreo dirt cake!

Now, on to my favorite tips- presentation!

How to Serve Oreo Dirt Cake

I typically make my dirt cake in a 9×13 pan just like in the recipe. However, you can make dirt cake in almost anything!

Here are a few of my favorite “vessels” for dirt cake:

• Layer the cake into a large glass trifle bowl. The clear sides enable you to see the pretty layers of the cake and it makes this simple, fun cake look fancy. Stick some gummy worms on the sides of the glass dish for some extra fun!
• Put the dirt cake in mini plastic beach buckets. Kids will love using a small shovel to dig in the “dirt”. Just be sure to use new, clean buckets and pails!
• Use small plastic cups to make individual dirt cakes. Guests at your party can grab a cup and easily eat the cake without you ever needing to slice and serve. 

No matter how you serve your dirt cake creation, be sure to make it in advance, get it checked off your to-do list and allow the cake to set up overnight. That brings me to my next point…

Storage and Freezing Oreo Dirt Cake

Leftover Oreo Dirt Cake can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also wrap the cake tightly in an airtight container and freeze it for up to a month. When you are ready to enjoy your dirt cake, just tahw it in the fridge overnight and it will be as good as new!

Recipe FAQ’s

Why is it called dirt cake?

Because the Oreo cookie crumbs on top look like dirt! The whole cake looks like a mini dirt garden, crawling with gummy worms. It is just a fun, silly name that happens to perfectly describe how the cake looks. 

How long should you refrigerate dirt cake?

Overnight is definitely best. If you can get the cake in the fridge for at least 4 hours before slicing, you should be good. You just want the cake to be in the fridge long enough to set and get firm. 

How do you make edible dirt?

Pulse the OREOs in a food processor or blender to make beautiful “dirt” crumbs. Making dirts is so easy and tasty! 

I hope you give my Oreo dirt cake recipe a try. It is fun, easy and a summer dessert that both kids and adults will love. It definitely brings back childhood memories for me and is still one of my favorite go-to summer cakes! Enjoy!

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MORE YUMMY DESSERTS TO TRY!

No Bake Mocha Icebox Cake 

Mini Strawberry Tartlets

Mint Chocolate Bark 

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Pumpkin Dump Cake

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