The Super-Secret Recipe File: Dirt cake

My mom sent me this recipe, from a newspaper, while she was in California. Most people make it to look like a flower pot. Not me. The last time I made this, I used a round Kritter Keeper (a plastic, lidded, small animal/reptile/bug/whatever carrier), artificial ferns, and little plastic frogs....

a new, clean plastic flower pot, 8" diameter works well, and whatever new, clean artificial flowers or plants you want to use, plus a new, clean garden trowel for serving. Me, I'd also throw in some gummi worms or bugs. But that's just me.
1 56-ounce bag Oreos (or Hydrox, or cheap store brand brown-n-white sandwich cookies)
1/2 c (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 c powdered sugar
1 t vanilla extract
2 4-serving size boxes instant chocolate-fudge flavored pudding
3 c milk
12-ounce container Cool Whip-style topping, thawed

Crush the cookies. How, well, that's up to you. The recipe says to put 8 at a time into a food processor. I don't happen to have a food processor. I use a ziploc and a rolling pin.

Cream the butter, sugar, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth.

Mix pudding and milk well, then fold in the topping, then fold into cheese mixture.

Layer one third of the cookie crumbs followed by one half of the soft stuff, repeat, top with remaining cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate for 10 to 12 hours. About half an hour before serving, remove from fridge, and decorate.

Makes about 10-12 servings. Or one, if you decide to eat it all yourself. Whatever.

One of the cool benefits to doing this in the clear plastic Kritter Keeper: You can squirm the worms in so that they show through the sides....


As always, if you have a recipe you want to share, Email me!