Dirt Cake Pudding Dessert
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One bite of this fun dessert and you’ll forget that it is called “Dirt Cake.”
With the pudding and cookie crumbs, it is more of a pudding than a cake. Mama made this dessert many times in the 1980s and 1990s and it’s still a hit with adults and kids alike. The name of the dessert comes from the fact that the chocolate pudding and crushed sandwich cookies resemble layers of soil….in a good way.
The kids’ favorite part of this dessert
My own kiddos and grandchildren love to find the gummy worms “buried” in the mixture of pudding and “dirt” crumbles. These, of course, may be omitted for a bit more sophisticated appearance.
Presentation Options
My Mama enjoyed serving Dirt Cake in a clean pot that would otherwise be used for a potted plant. She reserved this pot only to serve Dirt Cake. While this is a fun presentation, I prefer to show-off the layers of the dish. Presenting this dessert in a clear container is the only way I’ll serve it. These Klassic Ware bowls are made of clear material that looks like glass. I use the Klassic Ware Family Bowl to display and serve Dirt Cake. It is a 12-cup bowl. The Mini Bowl is shown holding my cookie crumbs. It is a 5 cup bowl.
What I like about the Klassic Ware set of bowls
- BPA-free
- Looks like glass
- Won’t break if dropped
- Airtight lid
- Three sizes and three colors
- And, my favorite….made in Ohio, USA, by folks I know and trust
What You’ll Need
- mixing bowl, hand- or stand-mixer
- clear Klassic Ware serving bowl (the Family size, 12 cup bowl)
- butter, softened
- cream cheese, softened
- powdered sugar
- milk
- instant pudding (My Mama used vanilla but I use chocolate.)
- frozen whipped topping (name brand, or healthier versions are available)
- 2 packages of chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos or store-brand)
- gummy worms, if desired
My Tip
To save time and clean-up, I crush the cookie crumbs in my Cuisinart food processor. I do this in two batches, removing the first batch to my Klassic Ware Mini Bowl while I process the second package of cookies. After removing them to the bowl, I process the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar in the same processor bowl after giving it a quick wipe down.
Final Pudding Layer
Combine creamed butter mixture with the prepared pudding. Vanilla or chocolate pudding may be used.
Variations
To change it up a bit, consider different cookies. Perhaps vanilla wafers or even vanilla sandwich cookies. Use another flavor of pudding. Vanilla sandwich cookies and strawberry or banana pudding might be tasty for a summer picnic, don’t you think? What flavors can you combine? My imagination is going crazy with the possibilities.
Mama’s Tip
This recipe is found in my most popular (to date) cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One. That book contains 205 family-favorite recipes with stories, menus, caterer’s tips, ideas and notes. Under this recipe in the cookbook, I include Mama’s tip, “Good to freeze at least 24 hours ahead of time if taking to a function.”
Dirt Cake Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese. Gradually, add the powdered sugar and cream together well. Use wire whisk attachment. Turn off mixer and scrape down sides of mixing bowl a couple of times during this process.
- In another large bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix. Whisk or stir until combined.
- Into the pudding bowl, fold the whipped topping. Do not over stir.
- Combine the pudding mixture with the creamed cheese-sugar mixture.
- Using a food processor, crush cookies. This will take 2-4 batches depending on size of processor. Cookies may also be crushed by placing some in a plastic baggie and rolling a rolling pin over the cookies. Repeat until all are crushed well. The center filling of the cookies should not be distinguishable after crushing.
- In a clear bowl, alternate layers, starting and ending with cookie crumbs. Add gummy worms, as desired, for a fun effect. Keep refrigerated. May freeze up to 24 hours before serving or taking to an event.
Family Favorite Recipes
Years ago my Mr. Patient and children encouraged me to write down many of their favorite recipes in one book. My first cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One, includes 205 of the recipes that they requested. This book has become a fan favorite with Heritage Ways homemakers world-wide. Get your copy HERE and start cooking our many of the recipes that our family has been cooking for generations.
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As Diligent Homemakers, we do the best we can with the resources we have at the time. These resources include our time, physical health and energy, money and possessions. We commit to using these God-given resources to the best of our abilities and give ourselves grace in the process.
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Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways
