Description
This spooky Graveyard Dirt Cake is a no-bake Halloween dessert featuring layers of crushed chocolate cookies, creamy pudding, and gummy worms. Perfect for parties and ready in just 30 minutes with no oven required!
Ingredients
36 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed into fine crumbs
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 cups whipped topping, divided
2 packages (3.9 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
3 1/4 cups cold milk
10–12 gummy worms for decoration
8–10 Milano cookies for tombstones
Black decorating gel for writing on tombstones
Candy pumpkins or skeleton decorations (optional)
Instructions
1. Crush chocolate sandwich cookies in food processor until fine crumbs form. Reserve 1 cup for topping and spread remaining crumbs in bottom of 9×13 inch dish.
2. Beat softened cream cheese and butter together for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and smooth with no lumps.
3. Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until fully incorporated. Fold in 1 cup whipped topping gently.
4. In separate bowl, whisk pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened. Let stand 5 minutes to set completely.
5. Fold pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture until smooth and evenly combined.
6. Spread cream mixture over cookie base in dish, smoothing with offset spatula.
7. Spread remaining 2 cups whipped topping over pudding layer evenly.
8. Sprinkle reserved cookie crumbs over entire top surface to create “dirt” layer.
9. Use black decorating gel to write “RIP” on Milano cookies to create tombstones.
10. Insert tombstone cookies vertically into cake at various angles. Arrange gummy worms crawling out of dirt.
11. Add candy pumpkins or skeleton decorations around tombstones for extra spooky effect.
12. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Make this dessert 12-24 hours ahead for best flavor and texture as layers set perfectly.
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature to prevent lumps in the cream layer.
Use instant pudding mix only—cook-and-serve pudding will not work for this no-bake recipe.
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days, though cookie crumbs soften over time.
For dairy-free version, substitute with plant-based cream cheese and dairy-free whipped topping.
Add gummy worms just before serving if making far in advance to prevent them becoming soggy.
This dessert serves 12-15 people and is perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approximately 4x3 inches)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: graveyard dirt cake, halloween dessert, no-bake dessert, dirt cake, halloween party food