Why You’ll Love This Easter Dirt Cake
If you need a fun, easy, and festive dessert for Easter, look no further! This Easter Dirt Cake recipe is the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and chocolatey goodness, and best of all—it’s a total no-bake win.
No-Bake & Easy: No oven, no problem! Just a few simple steps, and you’re done.
Perfect for Easter: Decorated with colorful Peeps and pastel M&Ms, this dessert screams springtime fun.
Crowd-Pleaser: It’s rich, chocolatey, and impossible to resist—adults and kids alike will be fighting over the last bite.
Whether you’re hosting Easter brunch or just want to impress your family with a festive treat, this Easter Dirt Cake recipe is guaranteed to be a hit!
Ingredients for Easter Dirt Cake Recipe
To make this creamy, crunchy, and chocolate-filled dessert, you’ll need just a few pantry staples:
Base & Filling:
- 36 Oreo cookies (divided)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 3/4 cups milk
- 2 (3 oz) packages chocolate instant pudding mix
- 12 oz Cool Whip
Toppings:
- Pastel Easter M&Ms (peanut or regular)
- Peeps marshmallows
This combination of chocolatey Oreos, creamy pudding, and fluffy Cool Whip creates the perfect texture—plus, the toppings add that fun Easter flair!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Oreo Crust
Start by crushing 18 Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor (or the good old zip-top bag and rolling pin method).
🥄 Press the crushed Oreos into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan, creating a firm crust. This gives the cake its classic “dirt” base.
Step 2 – Make the Creamy Filling
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
🥄 Add the powdered sugar and mix again until fully incorporated.
Step 3 – Prepare the Chocolate Pudding
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and chocolate pudding mix for about 2 minutes, or until thickened.
🥄 Slowly add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture, blending until smooth and creamy.
Step 4 – Fold in Cool Whip
Gently fold in the Cool Whip using a spatula, stirring until fully combined with no streaks remaining.
🥄 This step makes the filling extra light and fluffy, creating the perfect contrast to the Oreo crumbs!
Step 5 – Assemble the Layers
Spoon the pudding mixture over the Oreo crust, smoothing it evenly across the pan.
🥄 This is where all the chocolatey goodness starts to come together!
Step 6 – Add the Oreo “Dirt”
Crush the remaining 18 Oreos into fine crumbs and sprinkle them evenly over the pudding layer.
🥄 The more crumbs, the more it looks like real dirt—which is exactly what we want!
Step 7 – Chill & Decorate
Cover and refrigerate the dirt cake for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the texture set.
Before serving, top with pastel M&Ms and Peeps marshmallows for a fun, festive Easter look!
Helpful Tips for the Best Easter Dirt Cake
Want to make your Easter Dirt Cake recipe even better? Here are some pro tips to ensure it turns out perfect every time:
✔️ Chill overnight for the best flavor and texture. While 2 hours is enough, letting it rest overnight makes it even creamier.
✔️ Experiment with pudding flavors. Not a chocolate fan? Try vanilla, cookies & cream, or even banana pudding for a fun twist!
✔️ Make it in cups for individual servings. Instead of a large pan, layer the dirt cake in mason jars or small cups for grab-and-go treats.
✔️ Add extra toppings for variety. Crushed Cadbury eggs, shredded coconut dyed green (for “grass”), or gummy worms make it even more festive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Storage & Maintenance
To keep your Easter Dirt Cake recipe fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The longer it sits, the softer the Oreos will get—but that just makes it even creamier!
Avoid Freezing: While it’s tempting to make this ahead and freeze it, the texture of the pudding and whipped topping may change once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
Keep leftovers chilled: Since this dessert contains dairy, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours to maintain freshness and food safety.
By storing it properly, you’ll have a rich, chocolatey treat ready to enjoy anytime!
Can I make Easter Dirt Cake ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Absolutely! Just whip 2 cups of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar until fluffy and use it as a substitute.
What other toppings can I use?
You can mix and match your toppings to fit your Easter theme. Try:
- Crushed Cadbury eggs for extra chocolate crunch.
- Shredded coconut dyed green for a “grass” effect.
- Gummy worms to play up the dirt theme.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap regular Oreos for gluten-free Oreos and check that your pudding mix is gluten-free.
Final Thought
This Easter Dirt Cake recipe is everything you want in a holiday dessert: easy, fun, and totally irresistible. With its creamy chocolate layers, crunchy Oreo crumbs, and festive toppings, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any Easter gathering.
Whether you’re making this for kids, family, or just yourself (no judgment!), it’s the perfect no-bake treat that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
So grab your Oreos, pudding, and Peeps, and start layering—because this Easter dessert is about to steal the show!
PrintEaster Dirt Cake: The Best No-Bake Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 9×13-inch pan 1x
Ingredients
36 Oreo cookies (divided)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 3/4 cups milk
2 (3 oz) packages chocolate instant pudding mix
12 oz Cool Whip
Pastel Easter M&Ms (peanut or regular)
Peeps marshmallows
Instructions
Prepare the Oreo Crust
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Crush 18 Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or a rolling pin in a zip-top bag.
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Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan to form the crust.
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Make the Creamy Filling
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In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and fluffy.
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Add powdered sugar and mix again until fully incorporated.
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Prepare the Pudding
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In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix for about 2 minutes until thickened.
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Slowly blend the pudding into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
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Fold in the Cool Whip
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Gently fold in the Cool Whip using a spatula until no streaks remain. The mixture should be light and fluffy.
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Assemble the Layers
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Spoon the pudding mixture evenly over the Oreo crust in the pan and smooth the top.
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Add the Oreo “Dirt” Layer
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Crush the remaining 18 Oreos and sprinkle evenly over the pudding layer.
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Chill & Decorate
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Cover and refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to allow it to set.
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Just before serving, top with pastel Easter M&Ms and Peeps marshmallows for decoration.
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- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Serving Size | 18g |
Calories | ~320 calories |
Sugar | 28g |
Sodium | 280mg |
Fat | 18g |
Saturated Fat | 7g |
Unsaturated Fat | 10g |
Trans Fat | 0g |
Carbohydrates | 38g |
Fiber | 1g |
Protein | 3g |
Cholesterol | 25mg |
Keywords: Easter, Dirt Cake, No-Bake, Chocolate Dessert, Kid-Friendly, Spring Recipe Yield:
You May Also Like:
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- Effortless Meal Prep Ideas – Simplify your week with these easy and delicious meal prep strategies, perfect for busy schedules.
- Easter Dip Recipe – A creamy, festive dip that’s a great addition to your Easter spread or any holiday gathering.
- Substitute Almond Milk for Milk in Making Bread – Wondering if you can swap almond milk for regular milk in baking? Learn how this change affects texture and taste.
- Cowboy Soup – A hearty, flavorful soup packed with protein and veggies, making it an ideal comfort meal.
Try these delicious recipes and keep the festive flavors going! 🎉🍰