This Christmas Dirt Cake is a no-stress dessert that’s both nostalgic and merry. It’s creamy, crunchy, and rich — all while being simple to prepare with minimal ingredients. You can make it in advance, decorate it however you like, and even get the kids involved. Whether you serve it in a big dish or scoop it into cups for individual portions, this dessert adds joy to any holiday table.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Golden Oreos or vanilla sandwich cookies
Cream cheese (softened)
Powdered sugar
Instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix
Cold milk
Whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
Butter (softened)
Vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
Red and green holiday sprinkles
Crushed peppermint candies
Mini candy canes
Christmas M&M’s or gummy candies
Whipped cream for garnish
Directions
Crush the Golden Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or by hand in a zip-top bag. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
Gently fold in the whipped topping until the filling is smooth and fluffy.
In a 9×13-inch dish or trifle bowl, layer half of the crushed cookies on the bottom.
Spread the creamy filling evenly over the cookie layer.
Top with the remaining crushed cookies.
Decorate with red and green sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or holiday candies.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 12–15 servings. Prep time: 20 minutes Chill time: 4 hours (minimum) Total time: approximately 4 hours 20 minutes
Variations
Chocolate Version: Use chocolate sandwich cookies and chocolate pudding for a double-chocolate Christmas treat.
Peppermint Twist: Add peppermint extract to the filling and sprinkle crushed peppermint candies between the layers.
Grinch Dirt Cake: Tint the filling green with food coloring and top with red heart candies.
Layered Cups: Serve in individual clear cups for personal servings and easy cleanup.
Gingerbread Flavor: Use crushed gingersnap cookies instead of Oreos and add cinnamon to the filling.
Storage/Reheating
Store Christmas Dirt Cake in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 4–5 days. It should not be frozen, as the texture may become watery once thawed. This dessert is best served cold and does not require reheating.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Dirt Cake ahead of time?
Yes, it’s ideal to make this dessert ahead. It tastes even better after chilling overnight.
Can I use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla?
Absolutely. Chocolate pudding creates a rich, deeper flavor and works beautifully with holiday candy toppings.
Do I need to remove the filling from the Oreos?
No, keep the filling — it adds sweetness and helps the crumbs stick together.
Can I use homemade whipped cream?
Yes, but make sure it’s stabilized so it holds its shape when mixed with the pudding and cream cheese.
What are some good toppings for Christmas Dirt Cake?
Holiday M&M’s, red and green sprinkles, crushed peppermint, gummy trees or Santa candies, and mini candy canes are all festive choices.
Can I use different cookies?
Yes, shortbread, gingersnaps, or even red velvet sandwich cookies work well for holiday variations.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not by default, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free sandwich cookies and checking all ingredient labels.
Can I make it in individual servings?
Yes, layering the dessert in small cups or jars makes for fun and portable single servings.
What dish works best for presentation?
A clear trifle bowl or 9×13-inch baking dish is perfect to show off the layers and decorations.
Can I add food coloring to make it more festive?
Yes, you can tint the filling red, green, or even swirl colors together for a fun holiday effect.
Conclusion
Christmas Dirt Cake is a fun, festive, and easy dessert that brings holiday cheer to every bite. With its creamy filling, cookie crunch, and playful toppings, it’s a seasonal favorite that both kids and adults love. Whether you serve it in a dish or as individual cups, this no-bake treat will be the star of your dessert table all holiday season.
Christmas Dirt Cake is a festive no-bake dessert made with layers of crushed Golden Oreos and a fluffy cream cheese pudding filling, topped with colorful holiday candies and sprinkles. It’s an easy, cheerful treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:0 minutes
Total Time:4 hours 20 minutes
Yield:12–15 servings
Category:Dessert
Method:No-Bake
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 package (14.3 oz) Golden Oreos or vanilla sandwich cookies
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix
3 1/2 cups cold milk
12 oz whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional toppings:
Red and green holiday sprinkles
Crushed peppermint candies
Mini candy canes
Christmas M&M’s or holiday gummies
Whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
Crush the Golden Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or place in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together instant pudding mix and cold milk until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
Fold the pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
Gently fold in the whipped topping and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish or trifle bowl, spread half of the crushed cookies evenly on the bottom.
Spread the creamy filling mixture over the cookie layer.
Top with the remaining crushed cookies.
Decorate with holiday sprinkles, crushed peppermint, mini candy canes, or other festive candies.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Use candy melts or food coloring to tint the filling for added holiday color.Serve in clear cups or jars for fun individual portions.No need to remove filling from the cookies — it adds flavor and texture.This dessert is best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.Use gluten-free cookies to make a gluten-free version.
