Have you never heard of Dirt Cake before? It’s basically a mud pie of vanilla and chocolate pudding, butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, whipped cream, gummy worms and smashed up Oreo’s, that create a “dirt”looking effect. It’s outragously decadent and at the same time, when you make it pretty much dairy free like me, it’s not really so bad. HA! My husband Andy turned 37 yesterday and wanted a low-key night, so I made a simple dinner with some GOOD Pouilly Fume wine for us and then splurged and made a Dirt Cake that we nibbled on while watching Biggest Loser. What would Bob and Jillian say?!

My first introduction to Dirt Cake was back in 1995 when I, and my pal Ginny, first made my high school’s varsity tennis team… and we were in junior high! This was HUGE! Not only did it mean I got to play alongside older and better players, but I got to hang out with them too at our weekly Pasta Nights. These nights were usually held at Kristin and Lori Silberman’s house, two sisters on the team who were both super cool and ferocious on the court. Our team would gather there and eat pasta, gearing up for the next day’s match while we gossiped and talked tennis. I think maybe it was them or their mom who made the first Dirt Cake I ever tasted and it became a staple at our carbohydrate-filled nights from then on in.

Did I mention the Toll Gate tennis team was awful? Not individually speaking, but as a team we were the worst. No, seriously I think we were in last place like every year. Chalk that up to our “coach” Mrs. Hueston, or Huey, who was also an English teacher at our school, and who preferred to sit in her red Saab and correct papers rather than properly instruct us. She was said to be an impectable player on the court, until her pinky finger got caught in the netting on the court and torn off. Ouch! Or so that was the story… who knows. All I know is that I could, and have, given better instruction than she ever gave us. But the Pasta Nights made it all worth while.

So I make this cake occasionally when I go to get togethers or to a little kid’s birthday party. It is always a crowd pleaser and everyone always has to take a picture. Usually I buy a plastic sand pail with a shovel attached (for the effect) and I stick an enormous fake sunflower in the middle. This time though, I wanted to make it look more like a golf course with green frosting, since Andy spent the day golfing with his friend. I had also planned to stick a tee and a golf ball in there but I didn’t have one on hand since he took his golf bag with him! Duh Niccola! So I stuck a few candles in there and called it a day. He was so happy, nonetheless.

A few things about my Dirt Cake that’s different than others. First off, I used almond milk instead of whole milk to made the instant pudding this cake calls for. Because of this, the pudding does not set as thick as it normally would but it tastes the same and you can’t see it, so who’s gonna know? Also, I omitted the cream cheese since I usually stir in butter and powdered sugar with it to soften the mix for layering. I wanted to make it a little less calorie dense! And I love putting the gummy worms throughout the cake, not just at the top. It’s like a sour surprise!

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Devilishly Delicious Dirt Cake- serves anyone who’ll grab a spoon and dig in! 

Ingredients:

-3 sleeves of Oreo’s

-1 package of Jello instant vanilla pudding mix

-1 package of Jello instant chocolate pudding mix

-whipped cream

-1 package of gummy worms (I used sour worms)

-green frosting (optional)

 

Directions:

1. Make the instant puddings according to their directions and place in separate bowls. I used almond milk instead of whole.

2. Take the Oreo’s and place them in a large zip-lock bag. Using your shoes, step on them so they crush and forms crumbs.

    

3. Use a fun colored bowl or a sand pail and start the layering process. Oreo mix, then vanilla pudding, then chocolate pudding, then whipped cream and repeat. As you are layering, toss some gummy worms in so it gives the effect that they are coming to the surface.

  

4. Either end with a layer of Oreo’s to make the dirt look or end with whipped cream and place green frosting on top to resemble grass. Place a flower, or something fun in the center and enjoy!

You can imagine how thrilled I was to eat this, sans all the extra dairy stuff, and I was even more thrilled to work it off at the gym this morning in the form of spinning and circuit training! From there I headed to the Farmer’s Market up the street from my house in search of new produce I’ve yet to try. I scored with this Japanese cucumber, my first time having one, and it’s prickly so be careful! Also on my list were oranges, golden and red beets, tomatoes, a pomegranate for some guacamole I’m making this week, and this big bunch of cilantro, two for a dollar! I boiled the beets in red wine when I got home and made this simple, but filling, arugula salad.

  

Beet and Arugula Salad- serves one or two 

Ingredients:

-2 cups arugula

-1/2 bunch cilantro

-1/2 Japanese cucumber

-3 small beets (I used 2 golden and 1 red boiled in red wine and then cooled)

-1 packet of Trader Joe’s Oh! My Omega nuts

-salt and pepper

Orange Citrus Vinaigrette

-juice from one orange

-2 tsp apple cider vinegar

-2 tsp rice vinegar

-2 tsp olive oil

-dash of sugar, salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Chop the beets and cucumber up into small pieces and add them, the greens and nuts to the bowl.

   

2. Make the citrus dressing and toss on top!

3. Enjoy eating clean! (After said Dirt Cake recipe)

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Well that’s all for today folks. I’m about to have a cup of tea and continue reading The Book Thief. It’s pretty popular right now because it’s being made into a movie but it’s been on my Goodreads list for awhile now, since my friend Lynn devoured it and hasn’t stopped talking about it. You know it’s good when you get a girl raving about it for months! I’m also planning meals for this week, my favorite thing to do, and tonight we’re having Avocado Pesto Stuffed Spaghetti Squash because it’s in season, healthy for you, and of course, easy peesy to make! Recipe to be posted tomorrow. Good day!