Description
This festive Easter Dirt Cake Casserole is a delightful no-bake dessert that combines creamy vanilla pudding, crushed Golden Oreos, and whipped topping to create a fun and colorful treat resembling an Easter garden. Perfect for spring celebrations, it’s easy to prepare and loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 1 (14.3-ounce) package Golden Oreos
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
Decoration
- Pastel-colored M&M’s or candy eggs
- Gummy bunnies or chicks (optional)
- Green-tinted shredded coconut or edible Easter grass
Instructions
- Prepare the Oreos: Crush the Golden Oreos in a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Prepare pudding: In another bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla extract for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Combine mixtures: Gently fold the thickened pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture until well incorporated.
- Fold in whipped topping: Carefully fold in the whipped topping until the filling is fully combined and fluffy.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread half of the crushed Oreos evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the base layer.
- Add pudding filling: Pour the pudding mixture over the Oreo crust and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Top with remaining Oreos: Sprinkle the remaining crushed Oreos evenly over the pudding layer.
- Decorate: Arrange pastel-colored M&M’s, candy eggs, and optional gummy bunnies or chicks on top. Sprinkle green-tinted shredded coconut or edible Easter grass around to resemble an Easter garden.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled casserole for at least 2 hours to allow it to set and for flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- You can dye shredded coconut green by mixing a few drops of green food coloring with a teaspoon of water in a zip-top bag and shaking it with the coconut.
- For a chocolate version, substitute vanilla pudding with chocolate pudding mix and use regular Oreos instead of Golden Oreos.
- For best results, use cold milk when preparing the pudding to ensure it sets properly.
- Make sure cream cheese and butter are fully softened for a smooth mixture.
- Keep the dessert refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain texture and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 1/12 of casserole)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
