This is such the perfect cake for my tiny little man too, since he loves to "help" me do things with the wheelbarrow and loves sticking his hands in the dirt, enough so that I need to replant some rutabaga soon, since he's killed a number of them with his love of dirt! He loves it when I find worms in the ground for him to visit with, so I'm sure he'll love finding "worms" in the cake to eat. Plus, lately, he's had a thing for shovels where he'll hoist it up in the air whenever he finds one and triumphantly yells "shovel!" He even took a play shovel to bed with him a couple nights ago.
He hasn't seen this yet, since I made it last night after he went to bed and stuck it in the chest freezer until it is time to go to his party at a park, but I know he's going to love it!
Dirt Cake
1 1/2 packages Oreo cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
16 oz cream cheese, softened
2 boxes chocolate pudding
4 cups milk
16 oz Cool Whip, thawed
Make pudding according to package directions (amount of milk may vary depending on brand used. I listed the amount I used for the Dr. Oetker pudding I used, the only kind of commercial pudding I can ever find without artificial colors!). If using cooked pudding, let it cool completely, stirring occasionally to keep a film from forming on top.
I used, the only kind of commercial pudding I can ever find without artificial colors!). If using cooked pudding, let it cool completely, stirring occasionally to keep a film from forming on top.
Blend together cream cheese and butter. Add to cooled pudding. Add Cool Whip and mix thoroughly.
Crush the cookies using a rolling pin or children smashing them in plastic bags.
In a flower pot, sand bucket, or wheelbarrow, layer some cookie crumbs then pudding mixture then cookies and so on. Layer worms throughout if desired. Finish with a layer of cookie crumbs to resemble dirt.
Chill for at least an hour before serving. May also be frozen.
