Dirt Cake

$17 - $21 (based on 2015 prices) 

Makes 16-20 half-cup servings 

This is my favorite recipe for Halloween and it possesses numerous possibilities. You can serve the cake in creepy containers with lots of disgusting critters or dye the mixture unearthly colors (break it into smaller batches, dye them different colors, and alternate their layering to create a multicolored contraption).

• 32 Ounces crushed Oreo cookies 
• ¼ Cup butter 
• 8 Ounces cream cheese 
• 1 Cup powdered sugar 
• 3 ½ Cups milk 
• 6 Ounces instant vanilla pudding 
• 12 Ounces whipped cream

1. In a large bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together milk, pudding, and whipped cream. Allow the pudding mixture to set by chilling it in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

3. Blend together cream cheese mixture and pudding mixture. If you would like to dye the mixture, add food coloring at this point. Allow the mixture to set by chilling it in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

4. In a food processor, mince the Oreo cookies. You can chop them into fine crumbs or leave larger chucks to give the dirt a more realistic look. To prevent the cake from being too sweet, remove the cream.

5. In chosen container(s), layer mixture and crushed Oreo cookies until desired height, topping with final layer of Oreos.