Easter Dirt Cake

Easter always feels like the perfect excuse to bring out the fun desserts, and this Easter dirt cake is one of those treats that never fails to get smiles.

It’s rich, chocolatey, and layered with smooth, creamy filling that melts in your mouth.

But what makes it so fun is the way it looks—like a playful Easter garden covered in chocolate “dirt,” with marshmallow bunny Peeps and colorful candy eggs tucked in.

This is a no-bake dessert, which means no oven, no long wait times, and no complicated steps.

You just crush cookies, mix up a fluffy chocolate filling, and top it all off with cute decorations. It’s the kind of dessert that kids go crazy for and adults secretly love just as much.

I make this every year and it’s always the first thing to disappear from the table. It’s soft, creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, and playful all in one.

If you like chocolate pudding, Oreos, and marshmallow Peeps, you’ll love how easy and fun this is to put together. Plus, it’s so simple that kids can even help decorate!

Table of Contents

Easter Dirt Cake Recipe

Ingredients

24 chocolate sandwich cookies (crushed into fine crumbs)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 (3.4 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 and 1/2 cups cold whole milk
Peeps marshmallow bunnies (pink, yellow, blue, and purple)
Candy-coated chocolate eggs (pastel colors like yellow, pink, green, blue, and purple)

Instructions

Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor until you get fine crumbs, almost like soil. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the crumbs for topping later.
In a mixing bowl, combine the rest of the cookie crumbs with melted butter. Mix until all crumbs are coated and have a wet sand texture.
Press this cookie mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch square dish to form the base. Place the dish in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining.
In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with the cocoa powder and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
In another bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
Gently fold the chocolate pudding into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, followed by folding in the whipped chocolate cream until fully combined and fluffy.
Spread this mousse-like chocolate filling over the chilled cookie crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Sprinkle the reserved cookie crumbs evenly on top to create the look of dirt.
Refrigerate the entire cake for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best texture and flavor.
Just before serving, decorate the top with Peeps marshmallow bunnies, placing them in rows or scattered for a playful effect.
Add pastel candy-coated chocolate eggs around the bunnies and on the surface for a festive Easter garden look.
Slice into squares and serve each portion with one marshmallow bunny and a few candy eggs for a cute and colorful touch.

Tips For Making Easter Dirt Cake

If you want your Easter dirt cake to turn out smooth, tasty, and fun to decorate, here are some simple tips to follow:

Always crush the cookies into fine crumbs, so the base sticks together well and looks like real “dirt.”
Chill the heavy cream and your mixing bowl before whipping, so the whipped cream gets nice and fluffy.
Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing, so the filling is creamy without lumps.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding and cream cheese mixture to keep the filling light and airy.
Let the cake chill for at least 4 hours before decorating or cutting, so it holds its shape.
Add the Peeps and candy eggs just before serving, so they stay fresh and don’t get soggy from the fridge.

Variations For Easter Dirt Cake

You can easily change this dessert to suit different tastes while still keeping it playful and delicious:

Use chocolate graham crackers or chocolate cake crumbs instead of chocolate sandwich cookies for the base.
Try swapping chocolate pudding with vanilla or strawberry pudding for a different color and flavor.
Use whipped coconut cream instead of dairy cream for a dairy-free option.
Decorate with pastel jellybeans or fruit-flavored candies if you want to switch up from chocolate eggs.
Add layers of sliced bananas or fresh strawberries inside the cake for extra flavor and texture.
For a richer taste, drizzle some melted chocolate over the top before decorating.

Can I Make Easter Dirt Cake Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can! Easter dirt cake is a great make-ahead dessert. In fact, making it ahead helps the layers set well and gives the flavors time to come together.

You can prepare the entire dessert the night before or up to 24 hours in advance. Just wait to add the Peeps and candy eggs until just before serving, so they stay fresh and colorful.

How To Store Easter Dirt Cake?

Storing this cake is simple and helps keep it fresh for days:

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or use an airtight container.
Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you already added the Peeps and candy eggs, try to eat it within 1-2 days since the candy decorations can soften in the fridge.
For leftovers, you can scoop out servings and store them in smaller airtight containers.

Tip: This dessert does not freeze well because the texture of the cream and cookies may change once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge!