Gluten-Free Dirt Cake (Dairy-Free)

Creamy, cool, crunchy, packed with the beloved flavor of Oreo, and definitely indulgent! This gluten-free dirt cake is free from gluten AND dairy!

The Story:

Dirt cake, dirt dessert, Oreo dirt cake…whatever you call it, you know it’s good! Food can be so nostalgic and can bring you right back to a certain place or time. Dirt cake will always remind me of my Momma and my birthday! Growing up, our birthday cakes/desserts were never store-bought, they were always homemade, and my dessert of choice was always Oreo Dirt Dessert. Thanks to Oreo making gluten-free Oreo’s (which are spot on to the “real” thing), I am able to remake my beloved birthday dessert. This retro recipe is an oldie, but a goodie for a reason. It’s super easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, requires no cooking, so it’s perfect for a summer dessert! Happy Birthday to me!

Jump to:

• The Story:
• 🧾 The Ingredients:
• Step By Step Preparation Instructions:
• Recipe FAQ's:
• More Gluten-Free Recipes:
• 📖 The Recipe:
• Gluten Free Dirt Cake
• The Finished Product:

🧾 The Ingredients:

Here is the list of ingredients you will need to make this gluten free dirt cake.

• Gluten-free Oreos: The star of the show! A must for this. IMO, no replacement will do. It’s so amazing that more and more large food brands and companies are recognizing the need for gluten-free products. It speaks volumes when a brand like Oreo makes it a priority to recreate their beloved cookie to be gluten-free.
• Dairy-free Cream Cheese: My favorite is Miyoko's. You can find this at most health store grocers, and can be found at Target as well. The cream cheese balances out the sweetness of the dessert.
• Whipped Cream: So Delicious and TruWhip brands are SPOT on to the original Cool Whip. Making your own whipped cream won’t work as well in this recipe. A “CoolWhip” type whipped cream is what you are looking for.
• Vanilla Pudding: I make my own so that I know what ingredients are in it. You could use instant pudding if you aren’t sensitive to added ingredients. Pudding really is so easy to make though!
• Powdered Sugar: I love the Good and Gather brand of organic powdered sugar. It is grain-free (doesn’t contain cornstarch) but instead, is made with tapioca starch. If you’re not sensitive to grains, regular powdered sugar is just fine!
• Dairy-free butter: You want a soft butter for this recipe. I used Country Crock as it has a wonderful flavor and a good amount of saltiness which balances out the sweetness of this recipe.

Step By Step Preparation Instructions:

This is a super simple recipe and the food processor does most of the work for you!

• Step 1: You’re first going to place one package of Oreo cookies in the food processor and blend until they have become a fine crumb. It’s fine if there are some more coarse sized pieces, gives it a little bit more of a crunch! Pour the crumbs into a separate bowl and set them aside.
• Step 2: Next, add in the cream cheese, powdered sugar and butter to the food processor and blend until it comes together in a silky smooth batter.
• Step 3: Pour into a large bowl, then fold in the vanilla pudding until well combined.
• Step 4: Lastly, fold in the whipped cream until well combined.
• Step 5: Now to assemble! For a 3 layer dirt dessert: Place ½ of the Oreo crumbs in the bottom of a trifle dish or an 8X11 or 9X13 baking dish. Slightly press the Oreo’s to create a ‘crust’. Then pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the Oreo’s and gently spread it evenly over the Oreo’s. Spread the remaining Oreo crumbs over the top. Chill for at least 2 hours. This is a very forgiving treat so you can create as many layers as you would like, in whichever size pan you desire! Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• Tip: If assembling in multiple layers, just a reminder: the cream layer is meant to have 1 less layer than the Oreo’s, as you want to start and end with the Oreo layer.

Recipe FAQ's:

• Is this Gluten-Free Dirt Cake recipe considered to be vegan? It can be! If you use a vegan pudding product or recipe, then it would be suitable for vegans! Most pudding usually contains eggs, so in that case, it would not be suitable for vegans.
• Are Oreo’s considered to be dairy-free? Yes, they do not contain any milk ingredients.
• Can I use this gluten-free dirt cake recipe using traditional dirt cake ingredients? This recipe has been created to be allergen friendly, but you should be able to easily use traditional products in their place. Your filling may require a bit less sugar, as traditional cream cheese has slightly less tanginess to it. Flavor test the filling and gradually add in powdered sugar. It should work out beautifully though!
• How long does this gluten-free dirt cake last? I find this dirt cake to be best if enjoyed within 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More Gluten-Free Recipes:

📖 The Recipe:

The Finished Product:

The easiest, most indulgent treat, worthy of gracing the birthday table! Dirt Dessert is basically a no fuss cheesecake. The slight tang from the cream cheese, mixed with the light and fluffy cream from the pudding and whipped cream, all complimented by the crunchy Oreo flavor you know and love= perfection. Make this for birthdays, a special occasion, or just because it’s Friday! It’s easy to love and just might become a staple in your traditions.