Description
This delicious Dirt Cake recipe features a moist chocolate cake base soaked in warm hot fudge, layered with creamy chocolate pudding, and topped with a whipped cool whip and crunchy crushed Oreos. Perfectly layered and chilled, this dessert offers a rich, indulgent treat with delightful textures and chocolatey flavors that resemble a dirt-filled garden but taste heavenly.
Ingredients
Scale
CAKE:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the back of the box: typically eggs, oil, and water)
PUDDING LAYER:
- 12.8 oz hot fudge
- 3.4 oz chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1 ¾ cup milk
TOPPING:
- 30 Oreos, crushed
- 8 oz cool whip, thawed
Instructions
- Prepare Cake: Follow the instructions on the chocolate cake mix box to prepare the batter and bake the cake as directed.
- Cool and Poke Cake: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, use the back of a spoon to poke holes evenly all over the surface of the warm cake.
- Add Hot Fudge: Warm the hot fudge in the microwave until it becomes thin enough to pour easily. Pour the hot fudge evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes and fully saturate the cake.
- Fully Cool Cake: Let the cake cool completely so that the fudge can set within the cake layers.
- Make Pudding Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate instant pudding mix with 1 ¾ cups of milk. Stir well and pour this pudding mixture evenly over the cooled cake layer.
- Chill Cake: Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for about 20 minutes, allowing the pudding layer to set.
- Prepare Topping Pudding: In a separate medium bowl, mix the remaining package of pudding mix with milk as directed, then refrigerate for about 10 minutes to allow it to set fully.
- Mix Cool Whip and Oreos: Remove the pudding from the fridge and gently fold in the thawed cool whip until combined and smooth. Then fold in about three-quarters of the crushed Oreos into this mixture.
- Top Cake: Spread this pudding, cool whip, and Oreo mixture evenly over the chilled cake and pudding layers.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining crushed Oreos on top as a finishing touch. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This recipe is adapted from The Frugal Navy Wife.
- Make sure the cake is warm but not hot when pouring the fudge, so it seeps perfectly into the holes without melting the cake too much.
- Chilling times are important for setting each layer well for best texture.
- You can substitute cool whip with homemade whipped cream for a fresher flavor.
- Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best freshness.
Keywords: Dirt Cake, Chocolate Cake, No-Bake Pudding Dessert, Oreo Dessert, Layered Cake, Easy Dessert