Dirt Cake Recipe

This whimsical dirt cake is a delightful treat for kids and adults alike! Moist vanilla cake layers are sandwiched with a rich whipped cream “dirt” and topped with crushed Oreos and wiggly gummy worms, creating a playful dessert that’s sure to bring smiles all around.

Ready Time

1 hrs 15 mins

Yields

6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 cup crushed Oreo cookies, for garnish
1 cup gummy worms, for garnish
For the whipped cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Grease two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla extract.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Beat just until combined.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the whipped cream, beat the heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.

Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on top.

Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream.

Garnish with crushed Oreo cookies to resemble dirt and gummy worms on top.

Slice and serve!

Notes

To ensure your cakes are evenly baked, make sure to rotate the pans halfway through the baking time. Don’t overmix the batter, as this can result in dense cakes.

If using a convection oven, reduce the baking temperature by 25°F (15°C) and adjust the baking time accordingly.

The cakes can be baked ahead of time and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months. For a more vibrant “dirt” look, use a variety of crushed cookie colors or add some green food coloring to the whipped cream.

If you’re not a fan of gummy worms, feel free to substitute with other fun candies or edible decorations.

To make the cake more stable, you can place a thin layer of whipped cream on the serving plate or cake stand before adding the cake layer. Make sure to chill the whipped cream in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before assembling the cake to help it hold its shape.

This cake is perfect for kids’ birthday parties or outdoor-themed celebrations.