Oreo Dirt Pudding made special! Make this classic chocolatey deliciousness into individual servings, for an easy dessert!
Try my Oreo Cupcakes too!
I love making individual sized desserts. This no bake dessert recipe is so easy to make and looks like you went to a LOT more effort than you really did.
It’s a favorite dessert for family gatherings, and travels pretty well if you had to take it somewhere.
The best part of this recipe is that you can throw these together in about 15 minutes total and let them hang out in the fridge until dessert time, but I have been known to just make it while my kids dawdle over dinner.
You’ll also love Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse or my Banana Cream Parfaits. If you’re feeding a crowd, try my Arkansas Possum Pie – a layered chocolate and cream pie with a pecan crust that’s always a hit at potlucks.
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Make one big pudding
Add the layers to an 8×8 baking dish, a large bowl or trifle dish and scoop out as needed.
Halve the recipe
It’s entirely possible to make just half the recipe, in case you don’t want like 6 desserts hanging out in your fridge just staring at you, begging you to eat them. Not that it’s a problem for me, of course… I have willpower* and am a superhero* Ahem.
*neither of these statements are even a little bit true 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
Great to make ahead for a special occasion (or a Tuesday), this delicious dessert is super easy.
Commonly found ingredients. No running to a specialty store, or online. Just stop by your local grocery store.
Easy to make. Enough said.
You might also enjoy my Boston Cream Poke Cake – a moist chocolate cake with creamy vanilla pudding and rich chocolate frosting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dirt pudding made of?
Typically, it’s Oreos, crushed to look like dirt. For a Halloween party, I add gummy worms and make it look gross! It usually involves pudding and a cream cheese/whipped topping layer as well.
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
What to do with leftovers
Store (covered with plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Substitutions/Additions
Make a vanilla version! Use the golden Oreos instead of chocolate Oreos, and make French vanilla pudding (or banana pudding), and keep other ingredients the same. Any of the pudding flavors will work, you get to choose!
Don’t have 6 glasses? Use one big dish, and layer it all up in one big dish of deliciousness, and use a spoon to serve individual portions.
Make this ahead, this will keep in the fridge for a few days. But I would recommend waiting til serving time to sprinkle the cookie crumbs.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
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- Large Bowls. One for mixing pudding, one for mixing the crust, one for mixing the cream cheese layer.
- Dessert Glasses. You can use whatever you have!
- Spatula. Helpful for scooping out mixtures.
- Food Processor Or ziploc bag and rolling pin
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix. You can also use a premade pudding if that is what you have (but you won’t need the milk in that case). There is also cook and serve pudding, but that will take lot longer to make.
- Milk. You’ll need this to make the pudding. Use any cold milk you like.
- Oreo Cookies. You will need 36 cookies, which is one regular sized package.
- Butter. I use salted butter, it’s used to make the oreo crust at the bottom of the dessert.
- Whipped Topping. Also known as “cool whip”. We use it in the middle layer, and on top. Set it in the refrigerator to thaw before using.
You can also use homemade whipped cream if you prefer. Just beat heavy whipping cream, and a little vanilla together. - Cream cheese. Leave this out at room temperature to soften before blending.
- Powdered Sugar. Used to sweeten up the middle layer.
How to make Oreo Dirt Dessert
Get prepped
Begin by making the instant chocolate pudding, it needs to set up in the fridge for a little while first. Blend the milk and dry pudding mix, and put in the refrigerator to set up.
Next, smash up some oreo cookies in a ziploc bag using a rolling pin. You can also use a food processor like I do, but… smashing Oreos in a bag is kind of fun. You want to crush them into fine crumbs.
Set aside about half a cup for sprinkling.
Mix the crushed oreos with the melted butter.
Using a hand mixer, beat half the whipped topping, the cream cheese, and powdered sugar together until fully blended.
Assemble
Divide buttered oreo crumbs among 6 individual cups, glasses or trifle bowls and tamp down a little.
Dollop (love that word) the cream cheese mixture on top of the cookie crumbs in each glass, and smooth a little.
Top with chocolate pudding mixture, and smooth a little.
Add the cool whip over the pudding layer.
Sprinkle the remaining crushed Oreos over the top layer, and refrigerate until dessert time.
Want more dessert recipes? Of course you do!!
- Slutty Brownies Make this decadent dessert from scratch! With cookie dough on the base, oreos in the middle and brownie batter poured over the top, these are the ultimate dessert!
- Apple Dumplings. Tart apples wrapped in a flaky biscuit and smothered in a buttery vanilla sauce. Topped with crunchy cinnamon sugar, this is a super easy recipe that delivers on taste!
- No Bake Pink Lemonade Pie. A sweet, creamy no-bake pie that’s the perfect frozen treat for summer. Made with graham cracker crust and a tangy pink lemonade filling!
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Update: This recipe was originally published in January of 2019. It was updated and republished in November of 2022.
Oreo Dirt Pudding Parfaits
Video
Recommended Equipment
- Food Processor (Or ziploc bag and rolling pin)
Ingredients
- 5.9 ounces chocolate instant pudding mix
- 2.5 cups milk
- 36 Oreo cookies (one regular sized package)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 16 ounces whipped topping
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions
- Begin by making the chocolate pudding (mix the 5.9 ounces chocolate instant pudding mix with 2.5 cups milk). Set aside in the refrigerator to set up (5 mins).
- Crush 36 Oreo cookies in a food processor, or Ziploc bag and rolling pin, set aside about half a cup for sprinkling.
- Mix the remaining cookie crumbs with 4 tablespoons melted butter, and divide among 8 jars, glasses or cups.
- Tamp down (I use a shot glass) to form a crust.
- Beat half the whipped topping, cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar together until fully blended.
- Dollop on top of the cookie crumbs in each glass and smooth a little.
- Top with chocolate pudding and smooth a little.
- Add the remaining whipped topping to each glass, and then sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs over the top.
- Refrigerate until dessert time.
- Devour!
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Notes
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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