Easter Dirt Cake Casserole (Print Version)

Layers of creamy vanilla pudding and cream cheese filling topped with crushed Oreos and gummy worms for a festive spring dessert.

# What You Need:

→ Cream Layer

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
03 - 1 cup powdered sugar
04 - 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
05 - 3 cups cold whole milk
06 - 12 oz whipped topping, thawed

→ Cookie Layer

07 - 1 family size package (14.3 oz) chocolate sandwich cookies

→ Decorations

08 - 1 1/2 cups gummy worms
09 - 1/2 cup pastel-colored candy-coated chocolate eggs
10 - 1/4 cup shredded coconut, dyed green

# How to Prepare:

01 - Pulse chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Reserve crumbs for layering.
02 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Incorporate powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, beating until fully combined and no lumps remain.
04 - Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with cold whole milk in a separate bowl for 2 minutes. Allow to stand until thickened, about 2 minutes.
05 - Fold thickened pudding into the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
06 - Gently fold whipped topping into the cream mixture until uniformly combined, taking care not to deflate the mixture.
07 - Press half of the cookie crumbs evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
08 - Spread the cream mixture over the cookie base layer, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
09 - Sprinkle remaining cookie crumbs over the cream filling to create a uniform dirt-like surface.
10 - Arrange gummy worms partially buried in the crumbs, scatter candy eggs, and distribute green coconut for grass effect.
11 - Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Theres something deeply satisfying about serving a dessert that makes adults giggle like kids
  • The refrigerator does all the work while you handle the actual holiday cooking
02 -
  • The cream cheese mixture will seize slightly when the pudding hits it, so keep folding gently until it smooths out again
  • Pressing the bottom cookie layer down firmly prevents the cream filling from seeping through and creating uneven pockets
03 -
  • Process extra cookies than you think you need, because some always get eaten during preparation
  • Work quickly once you start assembling, as the cream mixture stiffens as it sits

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