Miscellaneous Momma's Dirt Cake

Miscellaneous Momma's Dirt Cake

First a disclaimer: I don't claim to be the inventor of dirt cake.  I actually grew up on it, so I know it's been around awhile.  My mom made it for my birthday cake several times, once even putting it in a pail with fake flowers.  I've made dirt cake plenty of times, tried lots of recipes, and even made it with my students at school using a different recipe.  All that being said, this is my own twist on it and the way I'll make it from here on out.  I made this version for my son's 10th birthday party, and it was a huge hit.  I really love the individual cup portions too!  I like anything already portioned out, like cupcake brownies and meatloaf muffins, so personal sized dirt cakes are perfect!  

Seriously, everyone raved about this dirt cake!  I am so glad I wrote down the ingredients so I could make it again.  The next time I made it, I tried to take pictures of the steps.  I'm still working on that.  

Step One

Mise en Place... Gather your ingredients, one of which should be real vanilla extract.   First of all, let me say, I'm not a brand snob.  Usually store brands are just as good as name brands in my opinion.  However, I am a vanilla snob.  I refuse to use the imitation stuff.  Pure vanilla extract is a gamechanger in any recipe.  Pure vanilla extract made with Madagascar vanilla beans is even better.  Trust me.  This is an excellent one from Kroger, Private Selection Brand!  If you use a lot of vanilla, like I do, it is definitely worth buying in bulk.  This 16 oz. bottle is about $24.  It's $5.99 for 2 oz., so the equivalent would cost double at $47.92! 

In addition to this delicious gift from heaven, you're going to need: 

• 2 small (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix 
• 2 small (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix 
• whole milk, enough to prepare the pudding according to the package (usually 8 cups or 1/2 gallon)
• 2 blocks of softened cream cheese
• 1 stick of softened butter (real butter only - I'm a butter snob too!)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 containers of thawed whipped topping
• 1 pack of party size Oreos (which is about 52 cookies if you can't find the party size package).  
• gummy worms or some other fun toppings (these Kroger brand worms are delicious!)
• several large mixing bowls
• a hand mixer
• a whisk
• measuring spoons
• a liquid measuring cup
• a rubber spatula or 2
• several spoons
• a Ninja or other food processor 

The only ingredient that should absolutely NOT be off-brand is the Oreos.  For everything else, whatever is cheapest is probably fine.  But Philadelphia Cream Cheese really is the best... Maybe I'm a bit of a brand snob after all.  😂

This makes about 20 9 oz. cups, but the recipe could easily be halved.  We have a rather large family, so I've learned to shop and cook in bulk.

Step Two

Go ahead and make the vanilla pudding and the chocolate pudding in separate bowls and set those aside.  Sorry I don't have a picture, but that's pretty simple.  Just make sure your mixing bowls are big enough for 2 packs.

Step Three

Cream together 2 blocks of softened cream cheese and 1 stick of butter.  Once that is smooth and creamy, slowly add in one cup of powdered sugar and 2 tsp of the delicious vanilla extract.  Or, be like me, and just cream it all together at once... I really can't see a difference, so I'm all about saving a little time.

Step Four

Now, add the vanilla pudding to this mixture and cream it until well-blended.  It might be a little lumpy, but you won't be able to tell once it's all put together.

Step Five

Fold in one container of whipped topping.

Step Six

Now, fold the other container of whipped topping into the previously prepared chocolate pudding.

Step Seven

Using a Ninja, crush the Oreos, cream center and all, until they are fine and crumbly.  

Step Eight

Set out your containers, either about 20 small 9 oz. cups or a large container or 2 depending on size.  I do recommend clear because the layers are pretty, and you don't want all that hard work to be hidden. 

Spoon about 1-2 T of Oreos, repeated by about 1/4 c. of the vanilla pudding mixture, then the chocolate pudding mixture. I plop the mixture in the middle then use a small rubber spattle to push it evenly to the edges and keep things nice and neat. Repeat all 3 layers and top with a sprinkle of additional Oreos.

Step Nine

The fun part!  Decorate!  For Cavel's party, we just added yummy gummy worms, but there are so many fun ways you can decorate these.  We did Easter themed dirt cake this time, but earlier in the school year, we made Halloween themed dirt cake in my culinary class at school.  I'll include pictures of both for inspo.  

We dyed some coconut with green food coloring and added chocolate eggs and peeps.  I wasn't a huge fan of the coconut texture, so I'd probably do green frosting next time.

These were made by middle schoolers on a time crunch, so they aren't as neat as I'd prefer.  They also didn't use the same recipe, so they are missing the vanilla layer.  However, the possibilities are endless.  We used edible pens to draw/write on Milano cookies for tombstones and marshmallow ghosts.  They piped frosting for grass (piping is an acquired art), added worms, and pumpkin candies, and just got to be creative.  They loved it!

The Recipe

I don't know how to insert the "jump to recipe" option.  I'm sorry!  I hope you don't mind scrolling through to get to this.

Ingredients:

• 2 small (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix 
• 2 small (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix 
• 8 c. (1/2 gallon) whole milk
• 2 blocks of cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 containers of whipped topping, thawed
• 1 pack of party size Oreos (which is about 52 cookies if you can't find the party size package).  
• gummy worms or some other fun toppings

 Instructions:

1. Make the 2 packs of vanilla pudding and the 2 packs of chocolate pudding in separate bowls according to the package instructions.  Set aside.

2. Cream together 2 blocks of softened cream cheese, 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tsp of vanilla extract. 

3. Add the vanilla pudding to this mixture and cream it until well-blended.  Fold in one package of whipped topping.

4. Fold the other package of whipped topping into the chocolate pudding.

5. Crush the Oreos using a Ninja or food processor until fine and crumbly.

6. Using about 20 9 oz. cups, layer 1-2 T. cookie crumbles, 1/4 c. vanilla pudding mixture, 1/4 c. chocolate pudding mixture.  Repeat.  Sprinkle remaining Oreo crumbles evenly on top of the dirt cake cups.

7. Top with gummy worms or other fun decorations.  

8. Chill and serve cold.  Enjoy!!