Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (2024)

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This Dirt Cake is a moist chocolate cake filled with frosting that’s loaded with Oreos and layered with more Oreo crumbs! It’s even got gummy worms between the cake layers for a cake that’s creepy-crawly and perfect for Halloween!

Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (1)
Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (2)

This Dirt Cake has been a long time coming! One of my best friends since forever has been requesting I make a Dirt Cake for as long as I can remember. As it often happens, it took a while for the cake to take shape in my mind – and fortunately it’s just in time for Halloween! It was also just in time for when she came to visit last month. I texted her a photo as I was writing out the recipe and she was super pumped!

It also happened to be the weekend that she was celebrating two years since the bone marrow transplant that saved her life. She battled leukemia (after also fighting thyroid cancer just a few years prior) and is now cancer free, so it was awesome to be celebrating her health and I couldn’t have more happy to share this cake with her!

I have to give her some credit for how this cake took shape too. I was texting her and asking her preferences as I made it, since this cake was largely for her. I figured if she loves Dirt Cake that much, she would know best. She chose a vanilla based frosting full of Oreos and definitely wanted gummy worms between the cake layers. I have to say – I love the way it turned out! Gummy worms and all!

Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (3)
Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (4)

How to make a Dirt Cake

To get started with this Dirt Cake, you’ll want to make the chocolate cake layers. I used my favorite moist chocolate cake recipe as the base. It’s a super simple batter to put together – easier than even a cake mix! You can simply combine everything with just a whisk! And it makes literally the best and most moist chocolate cake ever. Don’t be alarmed by the thin batter or the low temperature that it’s baked at – those are all correct.

Once the chocolate cake has baked and cooled, it’s time for the frosting. The base of the frosting is a vanilla buttercream, but most of the flavor comes from the large amount of Oreo crumbs that it’s filled with – 3 full cups of crumbs.

When the cake is layered together, it’s not only full of the Oreo frosting that tastes like eating a big Oreo, it’s also filled with even more Oreo crumbs. Yum! You can never go wrong with more Oreos.

Also layered into the cake is quite possibly my favorite part – the gummy worms! They totally define a good, fun Dirt Cake so they had to be included in this one. I wasn’t entirely sure how the cake would slice with the gummy worms in the middle, but it actually sliced great! And while you don’t want to add too many and have them overwhelm the cake, they were a tasty and fun addition.

To finish off the cake, there’s some additional Oreo crumbs pressed into a few places around the cake to give it that “dirt” look. And then of course grass, because where else would the worms hang out? 😉 And if you can keep from eating all the gummy worms before they make it into and on top of the cake, you should add those too.

The final cake is seriously so fun! Not only is something everyone will fall in love with for it’s decor, it’s also sure to be devoured for it’s delicious cake and filling. It’s perfect for a celebration, a random Wednesday and especially for Halloween!

Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (5)
Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (6)

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Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (7)

Recipe

Dirt Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 33 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes plus cooling time
  • Yield: 12-14 slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Dirt Cake is a moist chocolate cake filled with frosting that’s loaded with Oreos and layered with more Oreo crumbs! It’s even got gummy worms between the cake layers for a cake that’s creepy-crawly and perfect for Halloween!

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Layers

  • 2 cups (260g) all purpose flour
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (70g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup (240ml) water

Oreo “Dirt” Frosting

  • 1 1/4 cups (280g) butter
  • 1 1/4 cups (237g) shortening
  • 6 cups (690g) powdered sugar
  • 3 cups Oreo crumbs (3540 Oreos)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 34 tbsp water or milk
  • 1 3/4 cup Oreo crumbs (2025 Oreos)
  • About 30 gummy worms

Green Vanilla Frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup (115g) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 12 tbsp water or milk
  • Green gel icing color

Instructions

1. To make the chocolate cake layers, prepare three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom, and grease the sides. Preheat oven to 300°F (148°C).
2. Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl and combine.
3. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Slowly add water. Mix well.
5. Divide batter evenly between cake pans and bake for about 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
6. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.
7. To make the Oreo dirt frosting, add the butter and shortening to a large mixer bowl and beat until combined.
8. Add about half of the powdered sugar and the Oreo crumbs and beat until well combined.
9. Add the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of water or milk and mix until well combined.
10. Add the remaining powdered sugar and Oreo crumbs and mix until well combined and smooth.
11. Add additional milk or water until the right consistency is reached.
12. To build the cake, use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the tops of the cake layers.
13. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate or cardboard cake circle and top it with about 3/4 cup of frosting.
14. Pipe a small dam around the outside edge of the cake, on top of the frosting, then add about 1/2 cup of Oreo Crumbs. Place 6-8 gummy worms around the crumbs and gently press them down into the crumbs.
15. Add the second layer of cake, then top with another layer of Oreo frosting.
16. Repeat step 14.
17. Top the cake with the final layer of cake, then frost the outside of the cake with the remaining Oreo frosting.
18. Use the remaining Oreo crumbs to press them into some areas around the outside of the cake to make it look “dirty”.
19. To make the green frosting, add the butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth (if you can, since it’s such a small amount).
20. Add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
21. Add the vanilla extract and one tablespoon of water or milk and beat until smooth. Add additional water or milk, if needed to get the right consistency.
22. Use the green gel icing color to color the frosting green.
23. Use Wilton icing tip 233 (the grass tip) to pipe grass around the top edge of the cake and few places on top. Place a few more gummy worms around the top of the cake and finish it off with the remaining Oreo crumbs.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 939
  • Sugar: 91.8 g
  • Sodium: 669.6 mg
  • Fat: 51.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 118.5 g
  • Protein: 7.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 29.2 mg

Categories

  • Cakes and Cupcakes
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Sweets and Treats

Enjoy!

Dirt Cake | AMAZING Chocolate Cake Recipe for Halloween! (2024)

FAQs

What is dirt cake made of? ›

Dirt Cake Ingredients

This fun dirt cake recipe is easy to make with these convenient ingredients: Oreos, cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, milk, frozen whipped topping, and instant vanilla pudding mix.

Why is my dirt pudding runny? ›

Pudding is usually runny because it has been stored in the refrigerator for too long or in an open space. Another cause could be due to improper cooking methods.

When was dirt cake invented? ›

Dirt cakes took the concept of layering chocolate cookie crumble and pudding, like a trifle. It was first seen in the 1980s in the American Midwest, specifically made for kids. Over time, many variations of dirt cake have been made, using different kinds of crumbled cookies, flavored pudding, and candy on top.

How do you make edible fake dirt? ›

Flour Method
  1. Pour icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl.
  2. Add water until a thick consistency.
  3. Stir in a little flour at a time until dough like consistency.
  4. Knead into a soft dough.
  5. Options for play. Keep as soft dough (store in fridge in cling wrap) Add water to make thick runny 'mud'
Oct 18, 2016

How is edible dirt made? ›

Tear the bread into bite-size pieces and place in the bowl of a food processor, along with the dried raisins, mixed nuts, almonds, crispbreads, dried porcini mushrooms and dried onion. Pulse to form a fairly even, coarse mixture. Add the olive paste, and pulse so the mixture resembles soil in color and consistency.

What is Elvis Presley cake? ›

An Elvis Presley cake is a single-layer classic yellow cake that's topped with a pineapple glaze. Much like a poke cake, the syrup and juices of the pineapple will seep into the cake through fork holes, resulting in a decadent, ultra-moist cake.

What is dirt cake flavor? ›

Vanilla Pudding Ice Cream with Chocolate Sandwich Cookies & Chocolate Cookie Swirls.

What is Navajo cake? ›

There are many recipes for the cake, but the primary ingredients of this one were ground corn, sugar and raisins. ( Photo courtesy of Natalia Miles) Once the alkaan batter is poured into the pit, it's topped with corn husks and covered with dirt.

Will Cool Whip thicken pudding? ›

I used to make my banana pudding with homemade whipped cream because I do prefer to use from-scratch whole food ingredients. However, I found that when you use the cool whip it helps to stabilize the rest of the ingredients and results in a thicker pudding.

How do you thicken pudding for cake filling? ›

In a chilled metal bowl, beat whipping cream on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken. Gradually add in the instant pudding mix and continue to beat, just until thick.

What is the oldest cake in the world? ›

The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens. During the reign of Pepi II from BCE 2251 to 2157, bakers mixed up a wheat dough for flatbread and filled it with honey and milk. The dough was poured into two pre-heated copper molds that fit tightly together.

Why is dirt cake called cake? ›

Oreo Dirt Cake Recipe FAQs

This recipe is called “dirt cake” or “dirt pudding” because it the cookies look like dirt! Adding worms and a few flowers on top can make it look like a cute garden dirt plot. What is dirt cake made of? As you can see, this cake isn't made of actual dirt.

Why is it called a dump cake? ›

A dump cake is an American dessert similar to a cobbler but with a cake-like topping. It is so named because it is prepared by "dumping" ingredients (typically canned fruit or pie filling, followed by a boxed cake mix) into a cake pan without mixing.

How to make soil for birthday cake? ›

how to make realistic and edible soil perfect for cake decorating. start off with Oreos . split the biscuit and cream mash them up until they're crumbs. and then you have some realistic and edible soil!

How do you add luster dust to a cake? ›

The fine, mica-like powder adds a glorious sparkle and luster to your creations and proves exceptionally versatile. You may dust the powder over your cakes using a fine dusting brush or mix the powder with a bit of vodka to form a paint for adding detail.

What can I use for edible sand? ›

Using 8 parts whole wheat flour to 1 part cooking oil, create enough "sand" to generously cover the bottom of your bin. This step is super easy--just measure out the ingredients and whisk them together until most of the lumps and clumps are gone (the whisking is a great job for your little one!).

How do you mix edible dust? ›

For intense colors, mix the luster dust with ethanol-based extract or lemon extract. It only takes a few drops and mix until you get the desired consistency. Don't mix the edible luster dust with water as most of them are not water-soluble and will result in a sticky paste.

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