What I really like about this cake, which the kid's
like for their birthday cake, is that it's so easy to make that even a
lousy cook, like me, can do it. If you make a mistake it will probably
taste even better! And it's so fun to make that even the birthday
child likes to help. It's best to surprise your child the first time
you make it though, because when they come across the worms they will have
that 'ouuuah' look on their face that is priceless to see.
By the way, it's great for all ages too, and
if the teens don't like the gummy worms, they can give the gift of a worm
to someone they love... and they wash pretty good too.
You will need:
A regular sized package of Oreo (or Mint Oreo) cookies. For a
variation in taste - add a half dozen mint cookies.
Small tub of Whipped cream
Instant Pudding - Chocolate or Vanilla or whatever desired (For a big dirt
cake use two or more packages)
Milk (for the instant pudding)
Gummy Worms (some stores offer this in the bulk/bins food section)
Directions:
Put the Oreo cookies in the freezer, at least overnight. This makes
the cookies easier to blend in the blender to crush into a 'dirt like'
substance. Make 'dirt' with the whole package.
Make up the Instant Pudding and add the whipped cream. I like to
swirl the combo and not completely mix it.
OK - Put a layer of Oreo dirt in the bottom of the cake pan then a layer
of pudding/cream mix. Now put the worms strategically in the pudding.
Gross,... it looks so real!
Put another layer of pudding and Oreo
dirt and then cover and put the cake in the refrigerator for an hour or more.
(This "worm" cake can be layered as many times as there are ingredients.)
This is a no-stress dirt cake. Have fun making it, looking at
it and eating it. Trick candles are fun for this type of cake,
and vanilla ice cream on the side.
Get the video camera out.
Enjoy!!
Sonja, (Jared's
sister), demonstrates how to make Dirt Cake
A Healthy Bonus Recipe:
The best Pumpkin Seeds that you've ever
had - and a fun and healthy treat!
Don't throw out the seeds from your pumpkins
this year. After carving the pumpkin, have the kids separate the
seeds from the "goop" and then rinse the seeds in water. They're
pretty slippery so be careful not to lose them down the sink. Drain
them and put them in a tupperware container.
This is the secret to having the best pumpkin seeds
you've ever tasted - Sink the seeds in olive oil and a teaspoon
of salt, stir, cover and let the seeds sit overnight (or all day if done
in the morning). Sometimes I've even let the seed sit for 48 hours.
Get a huge cookie pan out and scoop and drain all the
seeds out of the container of oil and on to the cookie pan. Salt
lightly, as you don't want to take away from the good natural flavor of
the pumpkin seed. You can also use garlic salt if you like a garlic
taste, but go lightly. I've even put popcorn cheese on some of my
seed bakes. You want a little oil on the cookie sheet, but not too
much. Expect to spoon out excess oil in the middle of cooking.
Put the heat on about 350 and cook for 20 minutes.
Stir and drain any oil. Cook another 20 minutes. Stir. It might
take up to an hour to cook, so keep checking the seeds every 20 minutes
until they are brown and are "crackling" in the oven. They should
"crunch" when you eat them. Oh, eat the whole shell and seed.
There is no need to separate the shell to get the inside seed out.
It's going to taste great and pumpkin seeds are very healthy treat and
a wonderful gift to give to your friends on holidays.
One More Bonus Recipe... CRAVING SOME CHOCOLATE? (...Just a little?)
Rather than go out and buy a whole candy bar, why don't you try this
little recepe' for that chocolate craving. It's healthier because
you can use the "no buzz" organic chocolate chips and peanut butter, and
when you are done you don't feel as guilty because you didn't eat a whole,
350+ calorie candy bar. Here is a quick recipe that I made up to
take care of those horrible chocolate cravings.
Get a small cup (tupperware bowl is fine) and mix:
About 6 mini marshmallows (organic is best) OR one small
packet of Stevia 1 handful of Organic Chocolate Chips (a healthy alternative)
2 maraschino cherries and a little juice
A couple of broken up walnuts (good brain food)
1/2 Teaspoon of Strawberry Jam (or Hot Pepper Jam)
A tiny bit of Vanilla
1/2 Tablespoon of unsweetened organic coconut flakes
1 spoonful of Peanut Butter (organic is good too)
Put it in the microwave until you see the marshmallows puffing (about 25
seconds in my microwave) and then quickly stir. Put back in the microwave
for about 20 more seconds and then quickly stir again. Mash up the
maraschino cherries and it becomes saucy. Regular Chocolate
Chips will give you a caffeine buzz, so if you want a good nights sleep
don't use non-organic chocolate chips six hours before bedtime. You
can by organic products at your local Health Food Store. If sugar
is a problem, then cut out the mini marshmallows and use all organic products
in your mix or one packet of stevia. ...What do I call this?
I've never named it. Maybe I should call it "Microwave Chocolate
Delight?"
Jared's
Sister says: 
