Spooky and Sticky: Halloween Dirt Cake with Gummy Worms

Every October, I look forward to the chaos in the kitchen as I craft my Halloween treats. This year, I decided to dive into a nostalgic dessert with a creepy twist: Dirt Cake with Gummy Worms. Its rich chocolate layers combined with colorful, squirming worms make it a hit every time.

The best part? This dirt cake is a messy, joyful celebration of childhood, perfect for Halloween parties. The aroma of cocoa and the squish of gummy worms bring back memories of spooky fun and childhood mischief. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to assemble, making it an ideal last-minute treat.

Dirt Cake with Gummy Worms

Dirt Cake with Gummy Worms is a layered no-bake dessert featuring crushed cookies, creamy chocolate filling, and colorful gummy worms for a playful, textured finish. The dish is assembled in stages, creating a moist crumbly base with smooth, rich layers and whimsical decorations that resemble a messy mound of dirt. Its final appearance is a fun, crumbly cake topped with squirming gummy worms, perfect for Halloween celebrations.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Main Course

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs from crushed chocolate cookies
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for added chocolate flavor
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar to sweeten the filling
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 cups heavy cream chilled
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips optional, for extra richness
• 12 gummy worms gummy worms for decoration

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• hand mixer
• serving dish

Method

 

1. Combine the chocolate cookie crumbs, cocoa powder, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir until evenly mixed, creating a crumbly base that resembles dirt.
2. Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl and mix with a hand mixer until smooth and well incorporated. This will create a rich, creamy layer.
3. In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream with the hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3–4 minutes. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, combining carefully to maintain volume.
4. Fold in the mini chocolate chips if using, adding extra chocolaty texture to the filling.
5. Spread half of the cookie crumb mixture evenly into a serving dish, pressing it down slightly to form a firm base.
6. Spoon and spread the creamy chocolate filling over the base layer, smoothing it with the back of a spoon for an even surface.
7. Top with the remaining crumb mixture, spreading it gently to cover the creamy layer completely, creating a ‘dirt’ look.
8. Press the gummy worms into the top layer, arranging them so they appear to be squirming up through the dirt.
9. Refrigerate the dirt cake for at least 2 hours or until set, allowing the layers to firm up and flavors to meld.
10. Carefully slice and serve the chilled dirt cake, marveling at the layered look and playful gummy worms.

This simple yet playful dessert captures the spirit of Halloween — fun, a little spooky, and wholly satisfying. It’s a great way to add a touch of chaos to your celebration without hours in the kitchen. Plus, the kid in all of us loves digging into a cup of chocolatey dirt, worms and all.

Whether you’re hosting a ghoulish gathering or just want a sweet surprise, this dirt cake is a foolproof choice. Its combination of textures and flavors keeps everyone coming back for more. Have fun creating layers of spooky goodness and watching the little ones delight in their gummy worms adventure.