There are some things I’m good at. Baking is not one of them.
I believe much of my issue comes from baking taking a little bit of attention to detail. I don’t really like to measure. I don’t really like to wait. There are times I can’t find my measuring spoon so I just “eyeball” it. I often walk away from the oven and forget to turn on the timer.
You know. Sort of important things in baking.
My lack of baking expertise leads me to outsource this feat for parties. Last year, I got a smash cake and cupcakes from a local bakery. It turned out great and it was worth every dime. Both last year and this year, I ordered stunning cookies from a local baker.
But when we decided on a tractor theme, I got confident, thinking MAYBE make a cake this year. But not a true cake – a dirt cake. And now, I’m practically a professional baker. BAM.
Perfect for my tractor and digging-in-the-dirt loving two-year-old.
Since I had never made this delicacy before, I thought I’d share the super simple recipe we got from my aunt.
Dirt Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 8 oz container of whipped topping
- 2 packages Oreos
- 2 packages vanilla instant pudding
- 1-8 oz container cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3.5 cups milk
- Cream butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
- Add pudding, milk, and whipped topping. Add in cream cheese mixture.
- Crush one package of cookies in a food processor until fine.
- Add cookies to the mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined.
- Fill cake pan or individual glasses with pudding mixture and chill for at least two hours.
- Crush the second package of cookies in a food processor until fine.
- When pudding mixture is set, add a bit of the cookies to the top for the “dirt.
- Top with gummy worms and a tractor cupcake topper. (I created the cupcake toppers on my Silhouette with the cut and print feature.)
For Henry’s cake, I put the cake into a toy tractor trailer. (I lined the bottom with aluminum foil.)
For other guests, I put the dirt cake into clear beverage glasses. (This avoided the mess of serving the cake, and it also looked adorable.)
There were only a couple of cake cups left, so I consider myself a baking expert now. Henry seemed content. Or high on sugar. I always get those two confused.
He also couldn’t be bothered to take a family photo.
Can you blame him? DIRT CAKE!
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Alice says
I followed your recipe to make Dirt Cake for a July 4th gathering yesterday. It was so easy to make and it went over really well with the crowd! Thanks so much for sharing, Kim!
Kim Woodward says
I am so happy to hear that everyone liked it!
Amber @ Wills Casa says
I’m such a sucker for anything with Oreos. Dirt cake was one of my favorites growing up. I bet Ramona would love it!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Oh I love this idea. Dirt cake sounds delicious and I am with him, I wouldn’t stop for a photo either. Thanks so much for stopping by and your very gracious comments.
daisy says
What a perfect cake for a tractor-lovin’ kid. No doubt there were no leftovers, eh? ;0D
Kim Woodward says
Hahaha…. it was finger licking good.
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Non-kaing is always good for me. I hate to bake!
Kim Woodward says
Fist bump.
Rita Templeton says
That looks DELICIOUS! And PS – I can bake my ass off (or I guess more accurately, bake my ass ON since it’s probably responsible for at least fifteen pounds of me). Maybe sometime we can trade skills: I’ll bake you something and you help me decorate. 🙂
Kim Woodward says
That sounds like the perfect trade for us.
cassie says
oh my gosh i love dirt cake- i didn’t even have it til i was an adult (if you can call me that)… and i love it!
Kim Woodward says
LOL at “if you can call me that.” Dirt cake is the shizzle.
Gretchen@BoxyColonial says
A cake that’s SUPPOSED to look like a big mess–brilliant!! (because that’s what mine always look like)
Kim Woodward says
Ha! Totally!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I used to love me some dirt cake! That looks so tasty, and such a clever idea for a tractor party!
Stephanie @ Sandpaper and Glue says
yum! great idea! 🙂
michelle@decorandthedog says
You kill me. I love that dirt cart doesn’t actually have any cake it. Those cups do look delicious. You can bake for me anytime.
Kim Woodward says
This cake is actually better than cake with cake in it. Mm hmm.