Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the entire cake a day in advance. Just wait to add the gummy worms until just before serving so they stay cute and not mushy.

Can I use instant pudding mix?

Yep! Instant works best for this recipe—just follow the box instructions with milk.

What’s the best way to crush the Oreos?

Either blitz them in a food processor or put them in a bag and smash with a rolling pin. Great stress relief, honestly.

Can I use boxed cake mix instead of homemade?

Totally. If you're in a pinch, a chocolate cake mix will do the job. I won’t tell if you don’t.

Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cake: A Delicious 3-Step Treat

Description

This fun and delicious Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cake is layered with moist chocolate cake, creamy pudding, fluffy chocolate frosting, crushed Oreos, and topped with gummy worms. It’s the ultimate kid-friendly, party-perfect dessert that’s as playful as it is decadent.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake:

2 cups sugar
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee (or boiling water as a substitute)

Chocolate Pudding:

6 ounces chocolate pudding mix
2 cups whole milk

Chocolate Frosting:

1 ½ cups unsalted butter
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
6 cups powdered sugar
⅔ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

26 Oreo cookies, crushed into crumbs
10 ounces gummy worms

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the cake batter: In a stand mixer, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, then slowly add to the mixer. Stir in hot coffee by hand until just combined.
Bake the cake: Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes. Let cool completely.
Prepare pudding layer: Whisk together pudding mix and milk until smooth. Let sit for 5 minutes, then spread over cooled cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make chocolate frosting: Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in cocoa. Let cool slightly, then whip with powdered sugar and milk (alternating), finishing with vanilla. Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.
Assemble cake: Spread frosting over chilled pudding layer.
Add toppings: Sprinkle crushed Oreos and gently press in gummy worms for a fun dirt-like appearance.
Chill before serving if preferred, or serve immediately for extra gooey delight!

Notes

Want extra crunch? Stir in some chopped Oreos into the pudding layer.
Make it ahead! This cake tastes even better the next day after chilling overnight.
For a spooky twist, use candy eyes or tombstone cookies for Halloween parties.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 485 kcal
Sugar: 45 g
Sodium: 290 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 66 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg