If you grew up in the Midwest, chances are you dug into a cup of Dirt Cake every summer from the time you could hold a spoon to, well — none of us have ever stopped, right?! Especially now that I’ve adapted the classic summertime treat to be gluten and dairy free. Honestly Gluten Free Dairy Free Dirt Cake might be even better than the original!
Watch How to Make It!
Food Allergy-Friendly Dirt Cake
I know this recipe is very specific, so if you don’t have a gluten or dairy-free dessert-loving person in your life, I still highly recommend the original Dirt Cake recipe for a summer get together, birthday treat, or even as a fun, Halloween-themed dessert. That said, if you or someone you know has Celiac Disease and/or a dairy/gluten intolerance/allergy, than you know it’s hard to find safe desserts that don’t taste like they’ve been modified to be allergy-friendly. This recipe, however, is even better than the original. It’s all about the homemade 5 minute pudding recipe!
Also, just throwing this out there, this is definitely not a healthy version of Dirt Cake. Simply a creamy, velvety, and chocolatey version that will blow the socks off the gluten/dairy-free person in your life. You have to let me know if you give it a try.
Step 1: Make the vanilla pudding.
Start by making an easy, 5 minute, almond milk-based vanilla pudding for the cream layer. I have not tested this recipe with cow’s, soy, or coconut milk so I can’t say for certain if the ratios would be the same. In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together 1/3 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons gluten-free corn starch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Drizzle in 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk then whisk vigorously until smooth. Add 3 egg yolks then whisk until smooth, then add another 1 cup almond milk and whisk until smooth.
Place the saucepan over a burner then turn the heat to medium. Whisk until the pudding starts to bubble and thicken then turn the heat down to low and stir with a spatula until the pudding has thickened, 4-5 minutes. You will know your pudding is done when you drag your spatula across the bottom of the pan and the pudding stays separated for a split second. Remove the pudding from the heat then stir in 3 Tablespoons vegan butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth.
Pour the pudding through a fine mesh sieve to catch any lumps of cornstarch that didn’t get smoothed out, or cooked egg, then place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the pudding to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until completely chilled and set, about 2 hours.
Tip: you can make the pudding up to 3 days ahead of time.
Step 2: Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies.
Meanwhile, add an 8oz package gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate sandwich cookies to a food processor then process until fine crumbs. I like this K-Toos brand, though gluten free Oreos are also fantastic.
My Mom has been making the original Dirt Cake recipe since us kids were young, so I had to ask her what she did back before she owned a food processor: Ziplock bag + rolling pin, of course! So, just know that’s an option if you don’t have a food processor.
Step 3: Make the cream layer.
Once the vanilla pudding has completely chilled, finish the cream layer. First whisk 4oz vegan cream cheese that’s been softened to room temperature in a large bowl until completely smooth.
I’m recommending you do this by hand or with an electric hand mixer, vs in a stand mixer, because vegan cream cheese needs a little elbow grease to get super, super smooth.
Next add a 9oz tub coconut cool whip to the bowl then whisk again until very smooth.
Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 3 Tablespoons vegan butter softened to room temperature, and 1 teaspoon vanilla then whisk until smooth. Finally add the pudding recipe (about 2 cups in case you’re using a different recipe,) then whisk until smooth.
Step 4: Layer.
In a 1-1/2 – 2 quart glass bowl add the following layers:
1/4 cup cookie crumbs 2 cups cream filling 3/4 cup cookie crumbs Remaining pudding filling Remaining cookie crumbs
Cover then refrigerate overnight, and then top with gummy worms and/or fake flowers for that real “Dirt Cake” effect before serving. I hope you love every single drop — enjoy!
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