Whip, Whisk, and Float Away

Sugar Cloud Baking logo with pastel pink cake and cloud design

recent posts

about

crumbl dirt cake cookies with oreo crumbs chocolate pudding frosting and gummy worms

Ultimate Crumbl Dirt Cake Cookies Recipe (Thick Oreo Chocolate Cookies with Pudding Frosting)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These Crumbl Dirt Cake Cookies are a rich, bakery-style dessert inspired by the classic dirt cake everyone grew up loving. Made with thick, fudgy chocolate cookies packed with crushed Oreos and topped with smooth pudding frosting, they deliver the perfect balance of chocolate flavor and creamy texture in every bite.

What makes this copycat recipe stand out is the combination of texturesā€”soft centers, slightly crisp edges, and that signature ā€œdirtā€ topping made from Oreo crumbs and gummy worms. If youā€™re looking for a fun, indulgent cookie that feels both nostalgic and bakery-quality, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.

Why Youā€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Thick, bakery-style cookies ā€“ These cookies are soft, rich, and oversized with that signature Crumbl-style texture.
  • Loaded with Oreo flavor ā€“ Crushed Oreos in the dough and on top create the perfect dirt cake taste in every bite.
  • Creamy pudding frosting ā€“ The smooth chocolate pudding frosting adds a nostalgic dirt cake flavor that sets these cookies apart.
  • Fun and nostalgic dessert ā€“ Topped with gummy worms, these cookies bring a playful twist to a classic childhood favorite.
  • Perfect copycat recipe ā€“ Tastes just like Crumbl dirt cake cookies, but made easily at home.
  • Great for parties and family treats ā€“ These cookies are eye-catching, fun to serve, and always a crowd favorite.
  • Soft and fudgy texture ā€“ Slightly underbaked centers keep the cookies moist and bakery-quality.
  • Simple ingredients, big flavor ā€“ Made with pantry staples plus Oreos for a rich, chocolatey dessert.
crumbl dirt cake cookies with oreo crumbs chocolate pudding frosting and gummy worms
Print Pin

Crumbl Dirt Cake Cookies (Copycat Recipe with Oreo & Gummy Worms)

If you love nostalgic desserts, these Crumbl Dirt Cake Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Inspired by the iconic childhood dirt cake made with Oreo crumbs and pudding, this bakery-style cookie version is rich, chocolatey, and topped with creamy frosting and playful gummy worms.
These cookies are ultra-thick, soft in the center, and packed with crushed Oreos for that signature ā€œdirtā€ texture. Whether you're baking for kids, parties, or just want something fun and indulgent, this copycat recipe tastes just like Crumblā€”but even better.
Course Cookies, Dessert, Sweets
Cuisine American
Keyword bakery style chocolate cookies, chocolate dirt cake cookies, crumbl chocolate cookie recipe, crumbl cookie copycat, crumbl dirt cake cookies, dirt cake cookies, fun dessert recipes, gummy worm cookies, kids party desserts, nostalgic desserts, oreo dessert recipes, oreo dirt cake cookies, pudding frosting cookies, thick chocolate cookies, viral cookie recipes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings 10 large cookies
Calories 500kcal
Cost $13 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Large cookie scoop (Ā¼ cup)
  • Cooling rack

Ingredients

Chocolate Oreo Cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • Ā½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Ā½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ā…“ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Ā½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 Ā¼ cups crushed Oreo cookies

Dirt Cake Frosting

  • Ā½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 Ā¾ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 2ā€“3 tablespoons milk

Toppings

  • Ā½ cup finely crushed Oreo cookies
  • Gummy worms

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream butter and sugars:

  • In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2ā€“3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla:

  • Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and combine until smooth.

Mix dry ingredients:

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.

Combine:

  • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  • Fold in crushed Oreo cookies.

Shape cookies:

  • Scoop large portions of dough (about Ā¼ cup each), roll into balls, and slightly flatten.

Chill dough:

  • Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.

Bake:

  • Bake for 11ā€“12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly underbaked.
  • Do not overbake.

Cool:

  • Let cookies cool completely on a cooling rack.

Make frosting:

  • Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar, pudding mix, vanilla, and milk. Beat until light and fluffy.

Assemble:

  • Spread frosting over cooled cookies.
  • Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and top with gummy worms.

Notes

  • For the best Crumbl-style dirt cake cookies, do not overbake. The centers should look slightly underbaked when you remove them from the ovenā€”this keeps them soft, thick, and fudgy.
  • Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes is key to achieving thick bakery-style cookies that donā€™t spread too much while baking.
  • Use finely crushed Oreo cookies for the most authentic dirt cake texture and flavor. Larger chunks can make the cookies fall apart.
  • The instant pudding mix in the frosting gives these cookies their signature dirt cake flavor, so donā€™t skip it if you want a true Crumbl copycat taste.
  • For a richer chocolate flavor, use high-quality cocoa powder (Dutch-processed works especially well in this recipe).
  • Let the cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the pudding frosting from melting or sliding off.
  • If your frosting feels too thick, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  • Store cookies in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting, and let them sit at room temperature for 10ā€“15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Ingredient Notes

  • Oreo cookies: Use classic Oreo cookies for the most authentic dirt cake flavor. Finely crush them so they blend evenly into the dough and create that signature ā€œdirtā€ texture on top.
  • Cocoa powder: A good-quality cocoa powder makes a big difference in flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa will give these cookies a richer, deeper chocolate taste.
  • All-purpose flour: Measure your flour correctly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense or dry cookies. Too much flour can make the cookies thick but crumbly instead of soft.
  • Brown sugar: Adds moisture and chewiness to the cookies, helping create that soft, bakery-style texture.
  • Cornstarch: This is key for keeping the cookies soft and tender while also helping them stay thick when baking.
  • Cream cheese: Used in the frosting to balance sweetness and create a smooth, slightly tangy flavor that mimics classic dirt cake.
  • Instant pudding mix: This is what gives the frosting its signature dirt cake flavor and creamy texture. Chocolate pudding works best for a true copycat version.
  • Milk: Helps loosen the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency. Add gradually to avoid making it too thin.
  • Gummy worms: These add the fun, nostalgic dirt cake look. Add them right before serving for the best appearance.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

  • Chill the dough for thick cookies
    Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes helps prevent spreading and gives you that signature thick, bakery-style cookie texture.
  • Donā€™t overbake
    The centers should look slightly underbaked when you take them out of the oven. This keeps the cookies soft, fudgy, and rich after cooling.
  • Use a large cookie scoop
    For true Crumbl-style cookies, scoop about Ā¼ cup of dough per cookie to get that oversized, bakery look.
  • Measure flour correctly
    Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping directly from the bag to avoid dense or dry cookies.
  • Mix just until combined
    Overmixing the dough can make cookies tough instead of soft and tender.
  • Let cookies cool completely before frosting
    Frosting warm cookies will cause it to melt and slide off instead of staying thick and creamy.
  • Crush Oreos finely
    Fine crumbs create a smoother texture and better ā€œdirt cakeā€ appearance on top of the cookies.
  • Use room temperature ingredients
    Butter, eggs, and cream cheese should be at room temperature for a smooth dough and even baking.
  • Add toppings just before serving
    For the best presentation, add gummy worms and extra Oreo crumbs right before serving so they stay fresh and vibrant.

Variations

  • Vanilla Dirt Cake Cookies
    Swap the chocolate pudding mix for vanilla pudding and reduce the cocoa powder slightly for a lighter, cookies-and-cream style version.
  • Cookies and Cream Dirt Cake Cookies
    Use extra crushed Oreos in the dough and switch to a vanilla or cream cheese frosting for a stronger cookies-and-cream flavor.
  • Extra Chocolate Version
    Add Ā½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough for a richer, more indulgent chocolate cookie.
  • Mini Dirt Cake Cookies
    Scoop smaller portions of dough and reduce the bake time by 1ā€“2 minutes for bite-sized cookies perfect for parties.
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Dirt Cake Cookies
    Add Ā½ cup peanut butter to the dough or swirl it into the frosting for a chocolate peanut butter twist.
  • Dirt Cake Sandwich Cookies
    Turn them into sandwich cookies by adding frosting between two cookies instead of spreading it on top.
  • Birthday Dirt Cake Cookies
    Add sprinkles to the frosting for a fun birthday-style version that kids will love.

Storage Instructions

  • Refrigerator:
    Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Because of the cream cheese frosting, refrigeration is recommended.
  • Serving Tip:
    Let cookies sit at room temperature for 10ā€“15 minutes before serving to soften the texture and enhance flavor.
  • Freezing (Unfrosted Cookies):
    Freeze baked, unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost before serving.
  • Freezing Dough:
    You can freeze cookie dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1ā€“2 extra minutes to the bake time.
  • Avoid Freezing Frosted Cookies:
    The pudding frosting may change texture after freezing, so itā€™s best to add frosting fresh.

ā“ FAQs

Can I make Crumbl dirt cake cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookies 1ā€“2 days in advance and store them unfrosted. Add the frosting and toppings just before serving for the best texture and appearance.

Do I have to use pudding mix in the frosting?
No, but the pudding mix gives these cookies their signature dirt cake flavor. Skipping it will change the taste and make it less like the classic version.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This usually happens if the dough isnā€™t chilled long enough or if the butter is too soft. Chilling the dough helps create thick, bakery-style cookies.

Can I freeze dirt cake cookies?
Yes, but itā€™s best to freeze them unfrosted. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost before serving.

How do I make my cookies thicker like Crumbl?
Use a large cookie scoop, chill the dough, and avoid overbaking. Keeping the dough tall and slightly underbaking helps achieve that thick, soft center.

Can I use store-brand sandwich cookies instead of Oreos?
Yes, any chocolate sandwich cookies will work, but Oreos provide the most authentic flavor.

Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the cream cheese frosting, they should be stored in the refrigerator and brought to room temperature before serving.

šŸŖ More Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipes

If you love these Crumbl Dirt Cake Cookies, explore more Crumbl-inspired cookie recipes made from scratch:

Posted in

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Sugar Cloud Bakery

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading