Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe | The Best Cake Recipes

Warm, creamy, and impossibly easy, Oreo dirt cake is the kind of no-bake dessert that shows up at potlucks, birthday parties, and lazy summer evenings. Think layers of silky pudding-mascapone-style filling studded with crushed Oreos, finished with a cloud of whipped topping and extra cookie crumbs for the signature “dirt” look. It’s quick to pull together, kid-approved, and perfect when you want an impressive dessert without turning on the oven. If you like keeping dessert simple but satisfying, this one delivers every time — and if your gathering stretches from pancakes to pie, you might also enjoy these fluffy flapjacks for brunch ideas.

Why you’ll love this dish

Oreo dirt cake is nostalgia on a plate: familiar cookie flavor, velvety filling, and a playful presentation that both kids and adults adore. It’s no-bake, budget-friendly, and scalable — double it in a 9×13 for a crowd or portion it into cups for single-serve treats.

“Made this for a family party and people kept asking for the recipe — rich, light, and so simple. Perfect when you want a showstopper without fuss.” — a frequent potluck favorite

This recipe is also forgiving: if you’re short on whipped topping you can whip cream, and if someone can’t have dairy you can swap to dairy-free pudding and topping (see Variations).

How this recipe comes together

Start by softening cream cheese and folding it with instant pudding and whipped topping to form a smooth, stable filling. Fold in crushed Oreos for texture. Layer that mixture with more cookie crumbs in a dish or individual cups. Chill for a few hours so flavors meld and the filling firms up. Finish with extra crushed cookies and chocolate shavings just before serving.

Time expectations: about 20–30 minutes active prep, plus 2–4 hours chilling. No oven required.

What you’ll need

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened (room temperature helps it blend smoothly)
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened (optional — some recipes use it; you can omit for lighter result)
• 1 (3.4 oz / 96 g) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 ml) cold milk (or dairy-free milk for a dairy-free pudding mix)
• 2 cups (480 ml) whipped topping (Cool Whip) or homemade stabilized whipped cream
• 24–30 Oreo cookies (about 2 sleeves), divided: 2 cups finely crushed for layers + extras for garnish
• Optional: 1 cup powdered sugar (if you like a sweeter, firmer filling)
• Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract or a tablespoon of Kahlúa/coffee liqueur for adult flavor

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

• For a lighter filling, skip the butter and reduce cream cheese to 6 oz.
• You can use chocolate pudding for a deeper chocolate flavor, but the classic uses vanilla pudding to let the Oreo flavor shine.
• If you want to bake your own cookies or try a hybrid cookie-crookie, consider this crookie recipe as inspiration for homemade mix-ins.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prep: Place cream cheese and butter (if using) in a large bowl and beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar (if using) and vanilla; mix until combined.
2. Make pudding: In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding with cold milk for about 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Let it sit 2 minutes to fully set.
3. Combine: Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture until uniform. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is light and airy.
4. Add cookies: Reserve about 1 cup of crushed Oreos for topping. Gently fold the remaining crushed Oreos into the filling, leaving some larger pieces for texture.
5. Layer: In a 9×9 or 9×13 pan (depending on desired thickness), spoon a third of the cookie crumbs on the bottom, add half the filling, add another cookie layer, then the remaining filling, and finish with the reserved cookie crumbs. For cups, layer filling and crumbs in 12–16 serving cups.
6. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours or overnight, to let the dessert set and the flavors meld.
7. Serve: Top with extra crushed Oreos, chocolate shavings, or mini chocolate chips just before serving to keep the topping crisp.

Best ways to enjoy it

Serve dirt cake chilled straight from the fridge. Presentation ideas:

• Family-style: make it in a 9×13 and run a spatula across the top for rustic slices.
• Individual cups: parfait glasses or mason jars make for easy portioning and pretty layers.
• Garnishes: whole Oreo halves on top, a dusting of cocoa powder, a drizzle of hot fudge (warmed), or a few fresh raspberries for brightness.
  Pair with: coffee or milk for kids, and a glass of port or a light dessert wine for adults. It also makes a fun finale after a casual BBQ or weekend potluck.

Storage and reheating tips

• Refrigerator: Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. The texture will soften slightly over time as the cookies absorb moisture.
• Freezing: You can freeze the fully assembled cake for up to 1 month. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving; note the topping may be softer after freezing.
• Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to dairy components (cream cheese and whipped topping). For food safety, keep chilled until serving.
• If you want firmer texture after chilling, add 1–2 tablespoons instant pudding mix to the whipped topping or use stabilized whipped cream.

Pro chef tips

• Soften cream cheese fully: cold lumps will make a grainy filling. Leave it at room temp for 30–60 minutes or microwave in 5-second bursts until just soften.
• Crush Oreos to two textures: a fine crumb for layering and a few larger chunks folded into the filling for bite and contrast.
• Stabilize whipped topping: fold in 1–2 tablespoons powdered sugar or a teaspoon of unflavored gelatin (bloomed in 2 tbsp water and warmed) to help the filling hold shape longer for events.
• Make ahead: assemble one day ahead and top with fresh crumbs right before serving to keep the contrast crisp.
• Serving cups tip: line the bottom with a whole Oreo or a layer of crumbs to make pretty bottoms for individual servings.

Creative twists

• Peanut butter Oreo: fold 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter into the cream cheese mixture for a Reese’s-style twist.
• Mint Oreo dirt cake: use mint Oreos and add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract to the filling.
• Chocolate lover’s version: swap the vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding and use chocolate whipped cream.
• Vegan/dairy-free: use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut whipped topping, and a compatible instant pudding mix. Double-check cookie ingredients for vegan labeling.
• Boozy adult version: fold in 1–2 tablespoons Kahlúa, Baileys, or rum into the filling for subtle adult warmth.

Common questions

Q: Can I use real whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
A: Yes. Use heavy cream whipped to soft peaks and optionally stabilize with a little powdered sugar or gelatin if you need it to hold up for hours.

Q: How long does Oreo dirt cake need to chill?
A: Minimum 2 hours to set; 4 hours or overnight is best for a firmer texture and melded flavors.

Q: Can I make it ahead for a party?
A: Absolutely. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, then add final crumbs or garnishes right before serving to maintain texture.

Q: Is this safe for kids and potlucks?
A: Yes, but keep the dish refrigerated until serving and do not leave out for more than 2 hours to reduce food safety risks from dairy ingredients.

Q: What can I substitute if I can’t find Oreos?
A: Any chocolate sandwich cookie works. For a homemade route, try a chocolate cookie like a crumbled chocolate graham or your own cookie from the linked crookie inspiration.

If you want more no-fuss desserts or make-ahead ideas, this Oreo dirt cake is a reliable staple that’s hard to mess up — and it’s flexible enough to suit most flavor cravings.

Oreo Dirt Cake

This no-bake Oreo dirt cake features layers of creamy pudding-mascarpone-style filling and crushed Oreos, topped with whipped topping and extra cookie crumbs for a playful dessert that's perfect for any gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs

Course Dessert, No-Bake

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

Filling Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened Room temperature helps it blend smoothly
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Optional for lighter result
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz / 96 g)
• 2 cups cold milk Use dairy-free milk for a dairy-free option
• 2 cups whipped topping Cool Whip or homemade stabilized whipped cream
• 24–30 pieces Oreo cookies About 2 sleeves, divided: 2 cups finely crushed for layers + extras for garnish
• 1 cup powdered sugar Optional for a sweeter, firmer filling
• 1 tsp vanilla extract Optional for flavor enhancement

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Place cream cheese and butter (if using) in a large bowl and beat until smooth with an electric mixer.
• Add powdered sugar (if using) and vanilla; mix until combined.

Making the Pudding

• In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding with cold milk for about 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Let it sit for 2 minutes to fully set.

Combining Ingredients

• Fold the pudding into the cream cheese mixture until uniform.
• Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is light and airy.
• Reserve about 1 cup of crushed Oreos for topping and gently fold the remaining crushed Oreos into the filling.

Layering

• In a 9x9 or 9x13 pan, spoon a third of the cookie crumbs on the bottom.
• Add half the filling, another cookie layer, the remaining filling, and finish with the reserved cookie crumbs.
• For individual cups, layer filling and crumbs in 12–16 serving cups.

Chilling

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours or overnight, to let the dessert set and the flavors meld.

Serving

• Top with extra crushed Oreos, chocolate shavings, or mini chocolate chips just before serving.

Notes

For a lighter filling, skip the butter or reduce cream cheese to 6 oz. Can use chocolate pudding for a deeper flavor. Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to 4–5 days.

Keyword Creamy Pudding, easy dessert, no-bake dessert, Oreo Dirt Cake, Potluck Dessert