Easter Dirt Cake Casserole Recipe

ByJeannette Jaeger
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Introduction

Easter Dirt Cake Casserole is a delightful no-bake dessert that’s both fun and festive. With layers of crushed Oreos, creamy pudding, and colorful candy toppings, it’s perfect for spring celebrations and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

A clear glass dish shows a layered dessert with three main layers: the bottom layer is crushed dark chocolate cookies mixed with colorful candy-coated chocolates scattered inside; the middle layer is creamy and light beige with more colorful candies mixed in; the top layer is white whipped cream with swirls, covered with whole dark chocolate sandwich cookies and more colorful candy-coated chocolates, all sprinkled with cookie crumbs. The dish sits on a white marbled texture with a white plate beneath and some cookies scattered around. The bright colors of the candies and the dark cookies create a fun and rich look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 package (14 oz) Oreo cookies, crushed
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
  • 1 cup pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&M’s)
  • ½ cup mini Oreo cookies (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Crush the Oreos using a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
  2. Step 2: Reserve ½ cup of the crushed Oreos for the topping and spread the remaining crushed Oreos evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) until fully combined.
  5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, then let it sit for about 5 minutes to fully set.
  6. Step 6: Fold the thickened pudding gently into the cream cheese mixture until smooth.
  7. Step 7: Spread the combined cream cheese and pudding mixture evenly over the Oreo base in the baking dish.
  8. Step 8: Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup crushed Oreos over the top.
  9. Step 9: Decorate with mini Oreo cookies and pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates for a festive look.
  10. Step 10: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set properly before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of instant coffee to the pudding mixture to enhance the chocolate taste.
  • Use seasonal candy toppings like jelly beans or chocolate eggs for a personalized Easter twist.
  • To make it gluten-free, substitute the Oreos with a gluten-free chocolate cookie of your choice.

Storage

Store the Easter Dirt Cake Casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, you can enjoy it chilled or let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes for a softer texture. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change upon thawing.

How to Serve

A square glass dish filled with a layered dessert is shown on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a colorful mix of small, round candies in pastel blue, pink, yellow, and orange. Above this is a visible layer of dark cookie crumbs mixed with cream. The top layer is thick white cream spread evenly and decorated with more dark cookie crumbs, a few mini chocolate sandwich cookies, and scattered pastel candy-coated chocolates in various colors like blue, yellow, pink, and orange. The dessert looks rich and creamy with a mix of smooth and crunchy textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. This allows the flavors to meld and the layers to set perfectly.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Yes, homemade whipped cream can be used as a substitute, but make sure it is stabilized to maintain the creamy texture in the filling.

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Easter Dirt Cake Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 145 reviews

Easter Dirt Cake Casserole is a delightful no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy Oreo cookie base layered with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla pudding. Topped with pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates and mini Oreos, this festive treat is perfect for Easter celebrations or any fun gathering. Its rich yet light texture makes it an irresistible crowd-pleaser.

  • Author: Jeannette
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base Layer

  • 1 package (14 oz) Oreo cookies, crushed

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed

Pudding Mixture

  • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk

Toppings

  • 1 cup pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&M’s)
  • ½ cup mini Oreo cookies (for topping)
  • ½ cup crushed Oreo cookies (reserved from base layer)

Instructions

  1. Crush the Oreos: Use a food processor or place Oreos in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely broken.
  2. Reserve for Topping: Set aside ½ cup of the crushed Oreos to be used later as the topping for the casserole.
  3. Layer the Base: Spread the remaining crushed Oreos evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the base layer.
  4. Make the Cream Cheese Layer – Blend Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  5. Incorporate Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip) into the cream cheese mixture until well combined and airy.
  6. Prepare the Pudding Mixture – Mix Pudding and Milk: In a separate bowl, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk until the mixture thickens.
  7. Let It Set: Allow the pudding to sit for about 5 minutes so it can fully thicken.
  8. Combine with Cream Cheese Mixture: Gently fold the thickened pudding into the cream cheese mixture, creating a smooth, creamy filling.
  9. Assemble the Layers – Spread the Filling: Evenly spoon and spread the cream cheese pudding mixture over the crushed Oreo base in the baking dish.
  10. Add the Crushed Oreo Topping: Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup crushed Oreos over the creamy filling layer.
  11. Decorate and Chill – Garnish the Dessert: Add mini Oreo cookies and pastel-colored candy-coated chocolates evenly over the top to add festive color and texture.
  12. Refrigerate: Cover the dish and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set properly before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, use cold milk when mixing the pudding to ensure proper thickening.
  • If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the powdered sugar slightly in the cream cheese layer.
  • This dish is best served chilled and can be prepared a day ahead to develop flavors.
  • Mini Oreo cookies and candy-coated chocolates add festive decor but can be substituted with your favorite toppings.
  • Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to make mixing easier and ensure a smooth texture.
  • This dessert is not baked and requires chilling to set properly.

Keywords: Easter dessert, dirt cake casserole, Oreo dessert, no bake dessert, pudding dessert, festive dessert, cream cheese dessert

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