Halloween Dirt Cake

Key Takeaways: Halloween Dirt Cake

• Easy, no-bake dessert: This Halloween dirt cake recipe combines an Oreo crust with a creamy vanilla pudding and cream cheese filling.
• Fun to decorate: Crushed Oreos, cookie tombstones and candy pumpkins create a spooky graveyard dirt cake that kids can help decorate.
• Make ahead for parties: Assemble the cake a day ahead, refrigerate and add the decorations just before serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Halloween Oreo dirt cake is a spooky twist on my classic Oreo pudding dirt cake. I love letting the kids help decorate the graveyard before we serve it!

We make versions for other holidays, too, including Christmas dirt dessert and Easter dirt cake .

Ingredient Notes

• Oreo cookies: Use regular Oreos (cream filling and all) crushed into fine crumbs for the “dirt.”
• Salted butter: Melted butter helps bind the Oreo crust; softened butter goes into the creamy filling.
• Cream cheese: Soften first to blend smoothly into the filling.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and blends in smoothly.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and flavor to the creamy filling.
• Cool Whip: Thaw before using. You can also use homemade Cool Whip if you prefer.
• Instant vanilla pudding mix: Use instant pudding, not cook-and-serve, and follow the milk amount in the recipe rather than the package directions. Chocolate pudding works, too!
• Whole milk: For whisking with the pudding mix until thick and creamy. 2% will work as well.
• Milano cookies: The perfect shape for decorating like tombstones.
• Candy pumpkins: Adds seasonal color to your graveyard scene.
• Black food writer: For writing “RIP” on the tombstones (optional but so fun).

How to Make Halloween Dirt Cake

Step 1: First make your Oreo crust layer by crushing Oreos in food processor or blender. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping then combine remaining with melted butter and press into a 9×13 pan.

Step 2: Make the graveyard pudding by whipping the softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy with a stand mixer or electric hand mixer. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla then fold in the Cool Whip. In a separate bowl, mix Instant pudding and milk. Once thickened, fold pudding into the cream cheese mixture.

Step 3: Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the Oreo crust and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup Oreo crumbs over the top then cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill 4 hours.

Step 4: Before serving, decorate your Halloween dirt cake by writing RIP on Milano cookies with a black icing writer. Place tombstones all over the cake and add candy pumpkins!

Recipe Tips

• Make ahead: Chill for at least 4 hours to let the filling set. I like to assemble it the day before and add the cookie tombstones and candy pumpkins just before serving.
• Try individual servings: Layer the crumbs and filling in clear plastic cups for Halloween dirt cake pudding cups. A large trifle dish works, too!
• Keep the filling smooth: Soften the cream cheese and butter before mixing, then beat until smooth before adding the remaining ingredients.
• Add some color: Stir a few drops of orange food coloring into the pudding for extra Halloween fun.