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Oreo Dirt Cake

Easy Dirt Cake that starts with a chocolate cake mix, filled with hot fudge sauce, and topped with instant chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, crushed Oreo cookie crumbs, and gummy worms. An easy dessert recipe that is kid-friendly, easy to make, and a delicious twist to the classic poke cake.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword dirt cake, dirt cake recipe, easy oreo dirt cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Servings 18
Calories 323kcal
Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients called for)
  • 1 jar (11.75 oz) hot fudge sauce
  • 2 cups half & half
  • 1 box (3.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
  • 12 Oreo cookies finely crushed
  • gummy worms

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Follow the directions on the back of the cake mix box to prepare the cake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Once it's done cooking, take it out of the oven, and immediately poke holes into the cake using the end of a wooden spoon (or anything that is about 1/2-inch thick).
  • Warm the hot fudge sauce in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until it's thinned out. Pour the hot fudge over the holes in the cake making sure to get some in every hole. Allow the cake to cool completely, on a cooling rack, before the next step.
  • In a mixing bowl add the half & half and chocolate instant pudding mix. Stir with a wire whisk for about 2 minutes until it's combined well. Let sit for 5 minutes until it's thick and set.
    Stir in the Cool Whip and mix until it's combined well with the pudding.
  • Evenly spread it on top of the cooled cake.
  • Spread the finely crushed Oreo cookies on top and gently press the gummy worms into the cookie crumbs.
  • Cut into 18 pieces and serve. Store any leftover cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days.
    * The cake cuts nicer and cleaner if you refrigerate it for about 2 hours before cutting and serving. If you want to refrigerate for longer (I prefer too) leave off the crumbs and gummy worms, cover the pan and let it refrigerate for up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, add the crushed Oreo cookies + gummy worms.

Video

Notes

Chocolate Instant Pudding : Make sure you are using the instant pudding and NOT the cook n' serve pudding mix. 
Crush Oreos : For best results use a food processor to finely crush the Oreo cookies. If you don't have one, place the cookies inside a Ziploc bag and smash them with something heavy like a meat mallet or rolling pin. For that classic "dirt" texture you want the Oreo cookies in crumbs. 
Chocolate Cake Mix : Use any variety of chocolate cake mix. I normally use a milk chocolate cake mix. You can also use chocolate fudge cake mix or even a devil's food cake mix if wanted. 
Gummy Worms : You need about 1 cup of gummy worms for the cake. You can of course use more or less depending on preference. 
Make It Ahead of Time : I prefer the cake cold which is why I usually make it ahead of time. I make the cake, poke the holes, pour the hot fudge sauce, let it cool, and then cover it with the pudding mixture. I then cover it with plastic wrap and let it refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. Before serving, top it with the Oreo cookie crumbs and gummy worms right before serving. 
You can also make the cake + pour the hot fudge over it. Cover the cake and let it refrigerate overnight. Top it with the pudding + cool whip topping and let it refrigerate for a few hours before serving. Top with the crumbs and gummy worms just prior to serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg