Dirt Pudding

When I was a kid, THIS was the dessert I wanted to see on our holiday table.  My aunt would always make it and it was my favorite!  There are LOTS of ways you can serve it.  Here are some ideas if you don't want to use a trifle.

You can serve it in a trifle like this one for a pretty display.  

You can also make individual serving cups of it if you wanted to make it for a birthday party or something.  Just get some clear punch glasses and fill them layer by layer.  

If you just want to use a 9x13, you can also use that!  You will likely only get two layers out of it and I recommend starting with the pudding layer on the bottom and finishing it with the cookie layer.

1 (15oz) package of Double Stuffed Oreo's, divided

2 small boxes (3.5oz) JELLO french vanilla instant pudding (chocolate is good too!)

3 cups milk

8oz cream cheese, softened

1 stick butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

12oz cool whip, thawed

gummy worms (optional)

Pudding

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and milk.  Whisk until all lumps are dissolved and mixture is thickened slightly.  Stick it in the fridge to firm up a bit while you work on the next part.  

Dirt

Start by removing 8 Oreo's and chop them into 1/4"-1/2" pieces.  This will make your dirt pudding stand out from any others you've ever had.  Trust me.  The best part is biting down into a slightly softened piece of pudding infused Oreo...it's a great texture thing.  Maybe I'm weird.  But you'll like it too.  Anyway, chop those 8 Oreo's and set them aside.  

Put the rest of the Oreo's into a food processor and process them until they're a super fine crumb.  If you don't have a food processor, a rolling pin will work, just make sure they're really really fine crumbs (like dirt).

Pudding Layer

In another large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.  

Add in the powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated.  

Take the pudding from the fridge and pour it into the cream cheese mixture.  Beat on Low speed until fully incorporated.  

Gently fold in the tub of cool whip until the whole mixture is combined and no streaks remain.  

Assembly

-Start by adding 2 cups of the Pudding Layer to the bottom of a trifle dish.  Smooth it out so it's an even layer.  

-Sprinkle 1/2 cup cookie crumbs on top of the puddling.

-Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the chopped Oreo chunks on top of the crumbs.

-Repeat each layer making sure you're ending with cookie crumbs.

-Refrigerate overnight before serving.

-Garnish with gummy worms, if desired.

**If you like more cookie crumbs, use a larger package of Oreo's or grab 2 packages.  You can add as much or as little "dirt" as you like.

**If you have some chocolate lovers, sub the french vanilla pudding mix for chocolate.  I'm a HUGE chocolate lover, but I love the French Vanilla most for this dish.  It *must* be Jello brand instant French Vanilla pudding and pie mix.  If you use regular Vanilla, it won't be the same.  If you use a different brand of French Vanilla pudding, it won't be the same.  Jello French Vanilla.

**If you're using a 9x13 pan, put the entire Pudding Layer on the bottom of the baking dish, sprinkle the chopped cookie chunks on top of the pudding, then put the entire layer of cookie crumbs on top.