Summer Dirt Cake

Summer Dirt Cake is an easy no bake dessert recipe perfect for parties and potlucks.

This beach themed dirt cake is made with golden Oreo and graham cracker crumbs, layered with a delicious cream cheese and vanilla pudding mixture and all topped with mini cookies and beach themed gummy candies.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• No Oven Needed – Perfect for hot summer days when you definitely don’t want to turn on the oven.
• Visually Adorable – With blue pudding “water,” crushed cookie “sand,” and gummy candies for decoration, it looks like a mini beach party in a pan.
• Easy to Make – Minimal prep and simple ingredients make this a stress-free dessert anyone can whip up.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Chill it in advance and pull it out when it’s party time—easy and convenient.
• Crowd Pleaser – Great for BBQs, beach parties, or any summer get-together. Everyone will want to snap a pic before digging in.
• Customizable – Swap out gummies or change up the decorations to match your favorite beach theme (think: mermaids, surfers, seashells).

This no bake beach dirt cake is the ultimate summer dessert—it’s cute, easy, and impossible to resist.

If you’re looking for a show-stopping treat for your next beach party or BBQ, this is it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 9.5 oz golden Oreo cookies
• 4 oz graham crackers
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 12 oz Cool Whip (4.5 cups)
• blue food colouring ( I used about 1 teaspoon )
• Topping
• mini golden Oreos
• teddy graham cookies
• beach themed gummy candies
• pastel coloured sprinkles

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

 Step by Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

To make this dirt cake, I started by dropping some golden Oreo cookies and graham crackers into my food processer.

 STEP 2: 

I blended the Oreos and graham crackers until only crumbs remained.

 STEP 3: 

I added some melted butter to the food processor and continued blending.

 STEP 4: 

I removed ⅓ cup of the cookie crumb mixture and set it aside for later.

 STEP 5: 

I poured a package of instant vanilla pudding mix into a mixing bowl.

I added some cold milk to the bowl.

 STEP 6: 

I used an electric mixer to blend the milk and pudding mix together until a thick mixture formed.

 STEP 7: 

I added some powdered sugar to the bowl and continued mixing.

 STEP 8: 

I added a brick of softened cream cheese to the bowl.

I continued mixing with the electric mixer until no large chunks of cream cheese remained.

 STEP 9: 

I added some Cool Whip and blue food colouring to the bowl.

I folded the Cool Whip and food colouring into the pudding mixture until fully combined.

 STEP 10: 

I spooned half of the Oreo and graham cracker crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.

 STEP 11: 

I spooned half of the pudding mixture over the cookie crumb base.

I spread the pudding mixture out evenly.

 STEP 12: 

I spooned the remainder of the cookie crumb mixture over the pudding layer.

Then I spooned the remainder of the pudding mixture on top and spread it out evenly.

I covered the dish and placed it in the refrigerator to set for 3 hours.

 STEP 13: 

After 3 hours I removed the dish from the refrigerator.

I sprinkled the ⅓ cup of reserved cookie crumbs over the top.

Then I sprinkled some mini golden Oreos and teddy graham cookies on top.

 STEP 14: 

I placed some beach themed gummy candies on top and then topped the whole thing with some pastel sprinkles.

Then the summer dirt cake was ready to scoop and serve!

The combination of cookies and pudding is pure summer comfort food.

It’s light, creamy, and cool—exactly what you want on a hot summer day.

Serve this at your next summer gathering, and watch it disappear faster than a beach towel in the wind.

This is one of those desserts that gets everyone talking and coming back for seconds.

If you are looking for a fun no bake treat for your next summer gathering, then you need to try this Summer Dirt Cake!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this beach dirt cake ahead of time?

• Yes! This dessert is perfect for making in advance. In fact, it needs to set in the fridge for at least 3 hours but can also be left to chill overnight, which helps the layers set and the flavors blend together.

Do I need to dye the pudding blue?

• You don’t have to, but the blue pudding adds a fun ocean vibe that really brings the beach theme to life

What size pan should I use?

• A standard 9×13-inch pan works perfectly for this recipe. You can also make individual servings in clear plastic cups or mason jars for a fun party presentation.

How long does this dirt cake last in the fridge?

• It’ll stay fresh for about 3–4 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just note that the cookies will soften over time (which some people actually prefer!).

Can I freeze this dessert?

• It’s not ideal for freezing, since the texture of the pudding and toppings can change after thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge.

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