Dirt Cake
Dirt cake is a playful no-bake dessert that layers creamy chocolate pudding and whipped topping with crunchy cookie crumbs and gummy worms to resemble a spooky, edible dirt mound. The dish combines textures of smooth pudding, crunchy crumbs, and chewy worms, resulting in a fun, messy treat that evokes childhood memories and Halloween fun.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Large spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 200 g graham crackers crushed into fine crumbs
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix about 3.9 oz
- 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping, thawed
- 3 cups cookie crumbs for layering
- 1 cup chocolate pudding prepared according to package instructions
- 1 cup gummy worms for decoration and layering
- 2 tbsp butter melted, optional for crumb mixture
Instructions
- Crush the graham crackers until they resemble damp soil—use a food processor or seal in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a spoon or hand mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This creates a creamy base.
- Stir in the instant chocolate pudding mix into the cream cheese until fully combined—you'll notice a rich cocoa aroma and a thickening mixture.
- Gently fold in the whipped cream with a spatula until the mixture is light and mousse-like, with no streaks remaining.
- Spread about 1 inch of the crushed cookie crumbs over the bottom of your dish, pressing gently to create a firm base.
- Top the cookie layer with a generous layer of the pudding mixture, spreading it smoothly over the crumbs.
- Place gummy worms on top, pressing them slightly into the pudding so they look like they're burrowing in the soil.
- Add another layer of cookie crumbs, pudding, and gummy worms if your dish is tall enough, repeating the layers until full.
- Finish with a thick coating of cookie crumbs on top to mimic dirt, pressing down gently for texture.
- Chill the dirt cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the layers set and flavors meld.
- Before serving, decorate the top with a few gummy worms for a spooky finish. Serve cold and enjoy the messy, chocolatey fun!
Notes
For extra crunch, add a handful of crushed cookies between layers. Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain structure and freshness.