This ultimate dirt pie recipe is a classic make-ahead family favourite. It’s got all the elements needed for a great dessert, including gummy worms and mini marshmallow “rocks”. To make this dirt pie even better, we’ve made this recipe with no cool whip. Instead, real whipped cream helps give this easy dessert its divine mousse-like texture.

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What is dirt pie?

Dirt pie has been around for decades. It’s a classic family dessert, consisting of a blend of thick chocolate pudding and often, Cool Whip. Gummy worms are placed throughout the pie, making it a fun adventure for kids to eat! It’s creamy, cool, and absolutely addictive. Consider yourself warned 😉

slice of dirt pie lifted out of pie plate

Why is this ultimate dirt pie the best dirt pie?

When developing this recipe, I wanted to check all the boxes. It had to have a chocolate crust. It had to be rich, creamy and decadent, but with the slightest tanginess (supplied by the cream cheese!). Lastly, it also needed to be full of gummy worms, marshmallow rocks, and crumbled Oreo dirt throughout. The end result is a perfectly-addictive blend of all the best things a good dessert should be.

What do I use instead of Cool Whip?

While most traditional dirt pie recipes feature whipped topping such as Cool Whip, I prefer not to use it. I’ve had a close look and the ingredients listed on these products, and if I can find a better alternative, I will.

So, as a replacement for whipped topping, I used stabilized whipped cream instead. It provides all the same benefits as whipped topping (like a light, fluffy texture), without complex ingredients (all you need is some whipping cream and gelatin). You can find my recipe here.

Taking this quick extra step of stabilizing your whipped cream keeps the cream from falling flat or liquefying too quickly, making it a perfect substitute for whipped topping.

How to make the ultimate dirt pie

1. Prepare chocolate crust. In a food processor, pulse Oreo cookies until they form crumbs. Set aside 1/3 cup for the top of the dirt pie. Pour in melted butter, pulsing until blended into crumbs. Press evenly into a 9″ pie plate, being sure to press up the sides of the pie plate. You can use your fingers for this, or the bottom of a glass also works nicely. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely before filling.

2. Prepare stabilized whipped cream.

3. Whisk the milk and pudding mix together in a bowl until thickened. The mixture will be thick. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gently mix into the pudding mixture with a spatula until fully blended.

5. Add stabilized whipped cream, mini marshmallows, gummy worms, and crushed Oreos to the pudding/cream cheese mixture. Be sure to reserve some marshmallows, worms, and cookie crumbs for the top of the pie!!

6. Very gently, begin to fold together the mixture, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream. Be careful not to overmix. The mixture should look somewhat marbled, with streaks of cream and chocolate throughout.

Large white bowl full of marshmallows, whipped cream, and gummy worms

7. Pour the dirt pie into cooled pie crust. Top with reserved crumbled Oreos, additional gummy worms (we like to press them in to look like they’re slithering out of the dirt!), and mini marshmallows.

8. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until ready to serve. To serve, remove from freezer and allow to rest on counter until easier to slice Depending on how cold your freezer is, this could take up to 30 minutes. Enjoy!!!

Note: Sometimes I end up with extra filling. Oh, what a shame! I simply pour it into small glasses and eat it like pudding. It really is a win-win. I make the pie in advance, put it in the freezer, but still get to eat ‘dirt pie mousse’ for dessert that night! And I am not complaining one bit!

full image of dirt pie covered in mini marshmallows and gummy worms

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5 from 2 votes

The Ultimate Dirt Pie

Classic, creamy dirt pie just like mom used to make. With gummy worms, mini marshmallows, and Oreo crumbs, it's a dessert everyone will love!

Course: Dessert

Keyword: chocolate, cookie crust, gummy worms, mini marshmallows, mud pie, pie, whipped cream

Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the crust

40 whole Oreo cookies
6 tbsp salted butter, melted

For the dirt pie

1 batch stabilized whipped cream see alittlehintofthis.com for recipe
2 cups 2% or whole milk
1 170g box instant chocolate pudding mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
½ cup powdered sugar
1⅓ cups mini marshmallows reserve ⅓ cup for top of pie
1 cup reserved Oreo crumbs
16 gummy worms you can eyeball this to your liking. Reserve about 8 worms for top of pie.

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

Place Oreos into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until almost a fine crumb.
Remove 1 cup of oreo crumbs to use later in the dirt pie.
To remaining crumbs, pour in melted butter and pulse until a sand-like texure is formed.
Using a spatula, transfer the cookie crumb mixture to a 9" pie plate. Press crumbs evenly around the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate.
Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool completely before filling.

For the pie:

In a bowl, whisk instant pudding power and milk until smooth and thickened. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Using a spatula, gently stir in pudding mixture until well-blended.
Add stabilized whipped cream, 1 cups mini marshmallows, ¾ cup reserved Oreo crumbs, and 8 gummy worms. Gently fold into cream cheese/pudding mixture, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream. Fold just until there are streaks of chocolate and cream remaining.
Pour filling into cooled pie crust. Sprinkle with remaining Oreo crumbs. Press in remaining gummy worms and ⅓ cup mini marshmallows. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze minimum of 4 hours until firm or until ready to serve.
To serve, remove dirt pie from freezer and let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 mins until just easy enough to slice. Slice and enjoy.

Notes

This recipe may produce extra filling. Simply pour the extra into small dessert bowls for an instant ‘dirt pie mousse’ dessert! Or pour into small mason jars and freeze for quick desserts for later.
This pie is most delicious still cold and sliceable. Just let it sit out of the freezer long enough to be able to slice it but not so long that it becomes totally soft.
You can eyeball the amount of mini marshmallows and gummy worms you use. The amounts given are an approximation.

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