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This no-bake Easter dirt cake, prepared in just ten minutes, layers a creamy, cloud-like, chocolate mousse-like filling over an Oreo crumb base, then is decorated with vibrant coconut “grass,” Peeps, and candy eggs, making it the ultimate easy Easter dessert!
The Dessert I’m Bringing to Easter
If you’re wondering what I am planning to bring to Easter this year, hands down, it’s my Easter dirt cake! Imagine an Oreo crust filled with a luscious, whipped, cloud-like filling made of cream cheese, Cool Whip, butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate pudding, topped with more crushed Oreos—need I say more? It’s no wonder some call this an Easter Dirt Cake Casserole!
Grocery Store Shortcut
Speaking of dessert hacks… My new cookbook features a whole chapter on grocery store shortcuts, filled with easy kitchen hacks for amazing desserts. Think Sandra Lee (love her!).
This Easter dirt cake, made with instant chocolate pudding, is one of those quick and easy dessert hacks you’ll absolutely want to save. If you’re looking for another easy dessert hack, don’t miss my ice cream sandwich cake, Carrot Patch Dirt Cups or my Easter Bunny Dirt Cups (which are very similar to this Easter Dirt Cake recipe).
How to Make Easter Dirt Cake
The ease of this no-bake dessert is a dessert hack in itself! To create this Easter dirt cake, press crushed Oreos into a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, blend softened cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, then fold in Cool Whip.
Separately, whisk together instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Combine the pudding mixture with the cream cheese mixture, then spread it over the Oreo crust.
Top with the remaining crushed Oreos and chill for several hours or overnight. Before serving, decorate the chilled cake with the green coconut, Peeps bunnies, and Cadbury eggs. This Easter Dirt Cake is my favorite no-bake dessert of all time!
How to Make Coconut Easter Grass
I remember dying coconut green with my mom when we made our infamous Easter bunny cake. I feel like everyone would make those cakes back in the day!
To dye your coconut green like Easter grass, simply add shredded coconut to a ziplock bag (leave air inside so the coconut can move around), add food coloring (gel food coloring is my personal favorite), and shake it all up! Voila: green coconut that looks like grass.
Swapping the Coconut
If you’re not a fan of shredded coconut (totally understandable), substitute green M&Ms for the grass, or omit it altogether. After all, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side! (Half kidding!)
Candy Ideas for Easter Dirt Cake
There are no hard rules to decorating Easter Dirt Cake. Decorate with your favorite candies! The possibilities are endless!
- Peeps Marshmallows: They make various shapes and colors from bunnies to chicks!
- Chocolate-Covered Robin Eggs: Love how their speckled appearance perfectly suits the “dirt” theme.
- Jelly Beans: There are always so many vibrant and fun colorful flavors!
- Edible Easter grass: You’re not just limited to coconut grass. Last year I got edible Easter grass from Target. It’s just another fun way to add that grass texture while swapping out shredded coconut.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs: For peanut butter lovers (count me in), these offer such a rich and satisfying flavor.
- Chocolate Bunnies (mini): Small chocolate bunnies will totally tie the chocolate theme together!
- Easter-themed Sprinkles: Add a festive touch with colorful sprinkles- there are so many fun colorful sprinkles at the store!
- Pastel M&M’s: The pastel colors are perfect for spring and easter.
- Carrot shaped candies: Such a fun vegetable-themed candy that totally fits the dirt theme.
Storing Easter Dirt Cake
To keep your Easter dirt cake fresh, refrigerate it in an airtight container or tightly covered, and it will last for 3-4 days, though toppings like Peeps will be best added just before serving.
More Easter Recipe Ideas
If you’re looking for more easy party food ideas, don’t miss my Easy Easter Dessert Ideas like my Bunny Butt Funfetti Dip, Easter Bird’s Nest Cookies, Pretzel Chicks, and Cinnamon Roll Bunnies!
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10 Minute Easter Dirt Cake
Equipment
- 9X13 baking dish
- Ziploc bags
Ingredients
- one 13.29oz package Oreos (divided)
- one 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- one 16oz container Cool Whip
- two 3.9oz boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 2-3 drops green food coloring
- 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
- 8-10 Peeps bunnies
- 20-26 Cadbury mini eggs
Instructions
- In a large Ziploc bag, crush the Oreos.
- Place the crushed Oreos in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, reserving 1 1/2 cups for the topping.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar until combined, then fold in the whipped topping.
- In another large bowl, combine both boxes of pudding mix with 3 cups cold milk until smooth.
- Add the pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix until smooth.
- Evenly spread the mixture into the bottom of the 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved crushed Oreos evenly over the top. Allow to set in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
- In a large Ziploc bag, add shredded coconut and a few drops of green food coloring. Seal and shake vigorously.
- Before serving, remove from the refrigerator and top with the shredded green coconut, Peeps bunnies, and Cadbury eggs.
