Chocolate Dirt Cake Layer Cake is the perfect cake for chocolate lovers of all ages! No need to be an expert cake decorator to make this naked layer cake!
Get my cookbook HERE (makes a great gift!!).
Be the first to get new recipes – Subscribe to Back For Seconds by Email
This is one of those amazing, comforting desserts that kids and adults can’t get enough of! Even if you’re a beginner baker, you can do this! No decorating required and somehow, it still looks impressive!
A couple weeks ago my twin boys turned 5 years old. Apparently time is moving at warp speed because I swear they were just born last week. Anyway, one of them requested dirt cake. A big one. Sometimes I make their cakes on the smaller side, since they each get their own, but this year only full sized cakes would do.
They are both into minions now, and for this cake he wanted silly, happy, yellow minions. So I made these guys out of marshmallows, yellow candy melts, chocolate and candy eyeballs. It turned out really fun!
My other cutie is a little darker, I guess, because he wanted a mean, purple minion. He loves all things mint, so this was a mint chocolate cake. Again, I am not a champion decorator, so I keep things fairly simple while still trying to create something special. I always let them choose the theme of their cakes but I don’t let them see the cakes until we sing happy birthday. I LOVE seeing the surprise on their faces! They were so excited about these cakes, hooray! 🙂
So back to the dirt cake. Just bake your chocolate cake in two 8″ cake pans and cut them in half when they’re cool to make 4 even layers. I say “even” but you can see mine were not so even…but it honestly doesn’t matter. It’s dirt cake after all! No one else even noticed.
Then pile on the dirt pudding between all the cake layers and sprinkle extra dirt on top. Chill to let it firm up a bit, then serve! This is such a fun birthday cake, and I have made it several times as parfaits as well. You just can’t go wrong with dirt cake. Enjoy!
Parul says
Hi.. Thanks you for the wonderful recipe. Is there any substitute for egg. I love your recipe and want to try it. But I need a eggless recipe. TIA 🙂
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Oh my! I’m so in love with those layers! Ahh and that minion cake is awesome! My niece would love that!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
Seriously, sooooooooooo cute! I love the minion decorated cakes. And I can see why kids AND grown-ups would love this cake! YUM.
Cookin Canuck says
What a gorgeous looking cake! I’ll bet your boys were thrilled with their minion cakes.
Kim Beaulieu says
So…..my birthday is in January, can I put in an order for a dirt cake with minions now?? Because you really need to adopt me. I love this so much. It’s just sheer perfection.
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
I love the layers and layers of CHOCOLATE!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Goodness this looks like a dream come true! I can’t think of a better dessert!
Ginny McMeans says
What a fun post. I love your cakes and the minions are perfect!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I remember when you posted the pictures of your sons birthdays on FB and thinking how cute they (your boys), and their cakes, were. So adorable. I hope they both had very happy birthdays! I’m sure the cakes made their birthdays even more special!
Jessica Formicola says
I’ve had dirt cups and loved them! I love that you put them in a CAKE!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I hope your boys had a great birthday! And wow. Those are some cute cakes!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Heavens, that looks GOOD!! I want to bury my face in a massive hunk of it right now!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Oh my gosh! I wish I had a slice of this cake right now! Looks sinfully delicious!
christine says
Oh I love this. I’ve only ever done “dirt cake” in a trifle style. This looks gorgeous. I know what I’m making this weekend!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
I think both cakes look beautiful! And I’m thinking this particular cake needs to get made in my house really soon, it looks delicious!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
How in the world do you make dirt look so good? 😉 This looks amazing and the minions are adorable! My kids would love this!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’m not a big cake baker but you have made it seem easy enough to do!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
For chocolate lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this! I love the fun addition of the minions.
Joanne says
This is a delicious and moist looking cake! I am baking a similar cake for my son’t birthday this week.