Description
This Easter Dirt Cake is a festive, no-bake dessert featuring layers of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, creamy pudding, and whipped topping, decorated with colorful Easter candies. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it combines rich flavors and a fun ‘dirt’ presentation that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Crust
- 1 package (14 oz) chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Pudding Mixture
- 2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 container (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed
Toppings
- Easter candies for topping (such as pastel M&M’s, jelly beans, or candy eggs)
- Optional: Peeps marshmallow chicks or bunnies
Instructions
- Crush Cookies: Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Set aside.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Prepare Pudding Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until it thickens, about 2 minutes. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Carefully fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until smooth and fully blended without deflating the whipped topping.
- Assemble the Layers: In a 9×13-inch dish or trifle bowl, spread half of the crushed cookie crumbs evenly on the bottom. Spoon and spread the pudding and cream cheese mixture over the cookie layer. Top with the remaining cookie crumbs to resemble dirt.
- Decorate: Garnish the top with Easter candies such as pastel M&M’s, jelly beans, or candy eggs, and place Peeps marshmallow chicks or bunnies for a festive look.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 2 hours to allow it to set and for flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- This dessert can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated to enhance flavor and texture.
- For extra fun, add edible grass candy on top to mimic grass.
- Use clear cups or small jars to make individual servings for parties.
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened for smooth blending.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approximately 1/12th of the dish)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
