Easter Dirt Cake

I saw an image of this cake appear on Pinterest and I knew that I needed to make it. How could I pass up making something so adorable?

The problem came when I couldn't find an actual recipe anywhere. I managed to find two sites that listed out supposed ingredients, but all links back to the supposed source of the recipe came up without any results. So I decided to take matters into my own hands.

How difficult could it be to make a cake?

Easter Dirt Cake
Inspired by: Pinterest images
Servings: 8-10
Printer Friendly

Ingredients:

• 2 3.4 oz. packages instant chocolate pudding (4 ½ servings each)
• 1 ¾ cup milk 
• 16 oz. container Cool Whip, thawed
• 1 package oreos, crushed
• 1 bag sweetened shredded coconut 
• 6 drops green food coloring
• peeps bunnies
• egg shaped candy

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the instant pudding and milk until thickened. Stir in the Cool Whip until fully combined.
2. Spread in an even layer in a 9x11 or 9x13 baking dish.
3. Evenly sprinkle crushed Oreos on top of the pudding layer.
4. Transfer the shredded coconut to a zip top bag. Add the green food coloring, seal to close and shake around, massaging the coconut until it is tinted green. Spread in a layer over the Oreo crumbles.
5. Separate Peeps bunnies and press into the cake. Arrange eggs on top to look as though they are hiding in the coconut "grass".
6. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.

To make in advance, spread the pudding layer into the dish and refrigerate. Crush cookies and color coconut. Assemble before serving.

It definitely wasn't difficult at all to make this cake, although I am wondering from some of the pictures whether or not they included the Cool Whip into the pudding. If you aren't a Cool Whip person, you're more than welcome to leave it out. The "mud" layer will be a much darker brown.

I brought this cake into work and thoroughly confused my coworkers. I guess working with all guys I should have realized cute food wouldn't go over so well. Anyway, they ate it and said it was good so that's really all that matter isn't it?

I plan on making a smaller version of this (halving the recipe) for the Easter dinner I'm hosting.