Dirt Pudding
This playful no-bake dessert layers chocolate pudding, fluffy cream cheese, and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies to look like garden dirt. Add gummy worms if you like, or serve it plain in cups for an easy party treat.
At a glance
- Total time
- 25 min
- Yield
- 10 to 12 servings
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- American
- Category
- Desserts
Dirt pudding is the kind of dessert that makes people smile before they even take a bite. It is creamy, chocolatey, and topped with crushed cookies that look just like soil, especially when you tuck in a few gummy worms.
This version uses instant chocolate pudding, cream cheese, whipped topping, and chocolate sandwich cookies. There is no baking, and the chilling time does most of the work.
Serve it in a big clear bowl, a clean flower pot lined with food-safe plastic, or individual cups for parties, cookouts, birthdays, and school events.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
9 items · 10 to 12 servings
- 1 package (14.3 ounces) chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 packages (3.9 ounces each) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3 1/2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gummy worms, for decorating, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Crush the cookies
Place the chocolate sandwich cookies in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they look like coarse crumbs. You can also pulse them in a food processor. Set aside about 1 cup of crumbs for the top layer.
2. Beat the cream cheese mixture
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat again until creamy. Softened means the cream cheese and butter should give slightly when pressed, but not be melted.
3. Whisk the pudding
In a separate large bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix with the cold milk for about 2 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Use cold milk so the pudding sets properly.
4. Combine the creamy layers
Fold the cream cheese mixture into the pudding. To fold, use a spatula to gently scoop from the bottom of the bowl and turn the mixture over itself. This keeps the filling light instead of dense.
5. Add the whipped topping
Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until no large white streaks remain. Try not to stir too hard, or the pudding layer may lose some of its fluffy texture.
6. Layer the pudding
Spread half of the remaining cookie crumbs in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch dish, trifle bowl, or 10 to 12 small cups. Spoon the pudding mixture over the crumbs and smooth the top.
7. Finish with “dirt”
Sprinkle the reserved cookie crumbs over the pudding in an even layer. Add gummy worms on top or partly tucked into the crumbs, if using.
8. Chill before serving
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the pudding firm up and gives the cookie crumbs time to soften slightly.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Dirt pudding is a good make-ahead dessert. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add gummy worms shortly before serving if you want them to look neat.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cookie crumbs will soften over time, but the dessert will still taste good.
- Cookie texture: For a crunchier top, add the final layer of cookie crumbs right before serving instead of before chilling.
- Milk swap: Whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but 2% milk also works. Avoid most plant-based milks with instant pudding unless the pudding box says they will set, because some stay loose.
- Pudding flavor swaps: Try vanilla pudding for a lighter “cookies and cream” version, or use one chocolate and one vanilla pudding mix for a milder flavor.
- Serving idea: For individual cups, layer crumbs and pudding in clear 8-ounce cups. This makes the dessert easy to serve at parties and picnics.
Cook's note
If serving dirt pudding in a flower pot, use a brand-new, clean pot and line it with food-safe plastic wrap or a food-safe liner. Do not serve food directly from a pot that has held soil or plants.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make dirt pudding the night before?
Yes. Dirt pudding is actually easier to serve after it has chilled for several hours. Make it the night before, cover it well, and refrigerate. For the neatest look, add gummy worms and a fresh sprinkle of cookie crumbs before serving.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping?
Yes, but the texture will be a little softer. Use about 3 cups of sweetened whipped cream. Whip it to medium-stiff peaks, which means it should hold its shape but still look smooth.
Why is my dirt pudding runny?
The most common reasons are using warm milk, not enough pudding mix, or using a milk substitute that does not set instant pudding well. Chill the dessert longer if it is only slightly loose. If it is very runny, it may not fully firm up.
Can I freeze dirt pudding?
Freezing is not recommended. Pudding and cream cheese mixtures can turn watery or grainy after thawing, and the cookie crumbs lose their texture.
Do I have to remove the cream from the sandwich cookies?
No. Crush the whole cookies, filling included. The cream helps the crumbs taste sweet and rich, and it blends into the “dirt” nicely.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
10 to 12 servings
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat7.4 g
- 9%
- Saturated Fat4.5 g
- 23%
- Cholesterol21 mg
- 7%
- Sodium38 mg
- 2%
- Total Carbohydrate16 g
- 6%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars16 g
- Protein2.8 g
- 6%
- Vitamin D1.2 mcg
- 6%
- Calcium98 mg
- 8%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium115 mg
- 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values are estimated from the ingredient list; actual amounts vary with brands, portion sizes, and substitutions.
05Keep cooking
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