Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cake Trifle

How to Make Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cake Trifle

1. 1

   Step 1: Prep cookie crumbs

   Reserve 6–8 whole chocolate sandwich cookies (set upright later as 'tombstones'). Crush the remaining cookies into fine crumbs (about 3 cups) using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Transfer crumbs to a bowl and set aside.
   
2. 2

   Step 2: Make the chocolate pudding

   In a medium bowl, whisk the 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding mix with 3 cups cold whole milk until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes. Let the pudding sit for 2–5 minutes to fully set.

   For this step

   • 3 cupsCold whole milk
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Prepare the cream-cheese whipped filling

   In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and no lumps remain. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is light and evenly combined.

   For this step

   • 8 ozCream cheese, softened
   • 1 cupPowdered (confectioners') sugar
   • 1 tspVanilla extract
   • 8 oz (about 1 cup)Whipped topping, thawed (e.g., Cool Whip)
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Assemble the trifle layers

   In a 2–3 quart trifle dish (or a clear glass bowl), spread a 1/3-inch layer of cookie crumbs to form the base. Spoon half the chocolate pudding over the crumbs, then spread half the cream-cheese filling on top. Repeat: another layer of cookie crumbs, the remaining pudding, and finish with the remaining cream-cheese filling. Press a handful of extra crumbs on top for a final 'dirt' layer.

   For this step

   • 1 packageGummy worms (for decoration)
   
5. 5

   Step 5: Decorate and chill

   Press reserved whole cookies into the top edge upright to look like tombstones and drape gummy worms partially into the 'dirt' for a creepy-cute effect. Cover the trifle and refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let layers set and flavors meld.
   
6. 6

   Step 6: Serve

   Spoon the trifle into bowls and serve chilled. This recipe serves about 8—plan on roughly 8 portions when dishing into dessert bowls.
   

1. Reserve 6–8 whole chocolate sandwich cookies (set upright later as 'tombstones'). Crush the remaining cookies into fine crumbs (about 3 cups) using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Transfer crumbs to a bowl and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the 2 packages of instant chocolate pudding mix with 3 cups cold whole milk until smooth and beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes. Let the pudding sit for 2–5 minutes to fully set.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and no lumps remain. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is light and evenly combined.
4. In a 2–3 quart trifle dish (or a clear glass bowl), spread a 1/3-inch layer of cookie crumbs to form the base. Spoon half the chocolate pudding over the crumbs, then spread half the cream-cheese filling on top. Repeat: another layer of cookie crumbs, the remaining pudding, and finish with the remaining cream-cheese filling. Press a handful of extra crumbs on top for a final 'dirt' layer.
5. Press reserved whole cookies into the top edge upright to look like tombstones and drape gummy worms partially into the 'dirt' for a creepy-cute effect. Cover the trifle and refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let layers set and flavors meld.
6. Spoon the trifle into bowls and serve chilled. This recipe serves about 8—plan on roughly 8 portions when dishing into dessert bowls.