Description
Dirt Cake is a fun and delicious no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy Oreo cookie crust layered with a creamy vanilla pudding and cream cheese filling, topped with crushed Oreos. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or anytime you crave a nostalgic, easy-to-make sweet treat that requires no oven time.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 (14.3-oz.) package Oreos
- 4 Tbsp. butter, melted
Filling
- 1 (3.4-oz) box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Finely crush Oreos in a food processor until crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup of the crushed Oreos for topping. In a large bowl, combine the remaining crushed Oreos with melted butter, stirring until the mixture begins to hold together. Press this mixture evenly into a 9″-x-9″ baking dish to form the crust.
- Make the pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until thickened. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow the pudding to firm up.
- Prepare the cream cheese base: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth and lump-free.
- Whip the cream: In a separate large bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, ensuring the cream holds firm when the beaters are lifted.
- Combine the filling: Gently fold the chilled pudding into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Then fold in the whipped cream until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended. Pour this creamy filling over the Oreo crust and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
- Add the topping and chill: Sprinkle the reserved 3/4 cup of crushed Oreos evenly over the filling. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 3 hours or overnight, allowing it to set and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- For best results, use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream to achieve a rich and creamy texture.
- Ensure the cream is whipped to stiff peaks to give the filling structure and lightness.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead; chilling overnight enhances flavor and texture.
- Use a food processor to crush Oreos quickly and evenly, but crushed cookies by hand also work in a pinch.
- Substitute milk with a non-dairy alternative for a dairy-free version, adjusting pudding mix accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
