Kansas City Dirt Cake Recipe

Kansas City Dirt Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Cookie “Dirt”

• 1 family-size package Oreos (about 18 oz), crushed
  KC versions often use the full big package for thicker layers.

Filling

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding
  (Chocolate pudding is sometimes used in KC diners, but vanilla is the common potluck version.)

• 3 cups cold milk

• 1 container (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Crush the Cookies

1. Place Oreos in a large zip-top bag or food processor.

2. Crush until they resemble soft soil—KC versions usually leave a few small chunks for texture.

3. Set aside 2 cups of crumbs for the top layer.

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2. Make the Creamy Base

1. In a big mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.

2. Add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla; beat until creamy.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk pudding mixes with cold milk until thickened (1–2 minutes).

4. Fold the pudding mixture into the cream-cheese mixture.

5. Fold in the whipped topping just until blended—do not overmix.

KC-style dirt cake is known for being VERY fluffy, so keep the folding gentle.

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3. Layer the Dirt Cake

1. In a 9×13-inch dish, sprinkle a generous layer of cookie crumbs on the bottom.

2. Add half of the creamy filling.

3. Add another thick layer of cookie crumbs.

4. Add the remaining filling.

5. Finish with a heavy, even layer of crumbs on top—Kansas City versions tend to use lots of “dirt.”

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4. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for 4–6 hours.
Overnight is ideal—KC cooks almost always prepare it the night before events.

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Serving the Kansas City Way

• Serve cold in big spoonfuls.

• Add gummy worms for kids’ parties.

• Add silk flowers or a small trowel for a humorous “garden potluck” theme.

• Some Kansas City families freeze it slightly for a firmer texture.

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Variations Often Seen in Kansas City

KC Chocolate-Stripe Version

• Alternate vanilla and chocolate pudding layers.

• Use chocolate Oreos for the top.

KC Café Version

• Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the filling.

• Drizzle melted chocolate over the top crumbs.

KC Summer BBQ Version

• Fold in crushed pineapple (well drained).

• Top with toasted coconut mixed into the crumbs.

OTHER RECIPES

Dirt Cake Ingredients:

• 1 large package chocolate sandwich cookies like Oreo or Hydrox, Crushed
• 1 package (8 oz. size) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 3 cups Milk
• 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 carton (12 oz. size) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

DIRT CAKE INSTRUCTIONS

First of all put half of the crushed cookies in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch cake pan.
And then cream together the cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. Add milk, pudding, vanilla, and whipped topping; blend well. Next is to pour mixture over crushed cookies and top with other half. Freeze the dirt cake or refrigerate until firm...enjoy it !

VIDEO:

Original Dirt cake Recipe

Original Dirt cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the “Dirt”

• 1 package (14–15 oz) chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos), crushed into fine crumbs
  Tip: Pulse in a food processor for smooth “dirt,” or hand-crush for a more rustic look.

For the Filling

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
  (You can use instant chocolate pudding for a darker filling.)

• 3 cups cold milk

• 1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Make the Cookie “Dirt”

1. Place the entire package of cookies—filling included—into a food processor.

2. Pulse until the mixture resembles dark potting soil.

3. Set aside about 1½ cups of crumbs for the top.

4. Keep the rest for layering.

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2. Prepare the Creamy Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.

2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat again until creamy with no lumps.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the instant pudding mixes with cold milk until thickened (about 2 minutes).

4. Fold the pudding mixture into the cream-cheese mixture.

5. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until everything is fully blended and silky.

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3. Layer the Dirt Cake

You can assemble it in:

• a deep glass bowl

• a trifle dish

• a 9×13-inch baking dish

• OR go traditional and use a new, washed flower pot lined with plastic wrap

Assembly

1. Start with a layer of cookie crumbs on the bottom.

2. Add a thick layer of the creamy pudding mixture.

3. Continue alternating crumbs and filling until you reach the top.

4. Finish with a generous, even layer of cookie “soil.”

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4. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight makes it thicker, smoother, and more flavorful.

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Serving Ideas

• Serve with a garden trowel for fun.

• Insert gummy worms, half-buried in the “soil.”

• Add silk flowers on top for a potted-plant look.

• For a Halloween version, add tombstone cookies or candy bugs.

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Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip softening the cream cheese and butter, or your filling will be lumpy.

• If you prefer a lighter filling, use 2 cups milk instead of 3.

• To avoid a runny filling, make sure the pudding is nicely thick before combining.

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Variations (Longer Additions)

Chocolate Lover’s Dirt Cake

• Use chocolate pudding

• Add mini chocolate chips in the filling

• Top with crushed chocolate wafer cookies

Peanut Butter Dirt Cake

• Add ½ cup creamy peanut butter to the cream-cheese mixture

• Garnish with chopped peanut butter cups

Birthday Dirt Cake

• Mix rainbow sprinkles into the filling

• Top with sprinkles and gummy worms

Pumpkin Dirt Cake (Fall Version)

• Use 1 vanilla + 1 pumpkin spice pudding mix

• Add cinnamon to the cookie crumbs

• Top with candy corn

OTHER RECIPES

A great dirt cake recipe to try !
INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding (3-ounce)
• 3 cups milk
• 16 ounces Cool Whip®
• 1 large package of Oreos

INSTRUCTIONS
# Cream together the cream cheese and margarine. In a separate bowl, mix
together vanilla pudding mix and milk.
# Mix cream cheese and pudding mixture together. Add softened cool whip. In blender, crush Oreos. Layer into an 8-10 inch pail. First cookies, then cream mixture.
# Decorate with silk flowers or plants or gummy worms. Keep refrigerated. The dirt cake recipe is ready to serve....enjoy !
dirt-cake-worm-pie recipe

VIDEO: