Dirt Cake

Directions

1. Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment circles on the bottom and grease the sides. Set your oven to 300°F (148°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture and beat until well combined.
4. Gradually pour in the water while mixing, then continue to mix until the batter is smooth.
5. Evenly distribute the batter among the three pans. Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
6. Take the cakes out of the oven and let them rest in the pans for 3-4 minutes. Then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. For the Oreo dirt frosting, combine the butter and shortening in a large mixer bowl and beat until creamy.
8. Add roughly half of the powdered sugar along with the first batch of Oreo crumbs (the 3 cups amount) and beat until thoroughly mixed.
9. Pour in the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of water or milk, then mix until fully incorporated.
10. Add the remaining powdered sugar and the remaining Oreo crumbs (the 1 3/4 cup amount) and beat until the frosting is smooth and well blended.
11. If needed, add a little more milk or water to achieve your desired spreading consistency.
12. When assembling, use a large serrated knife to level the domed tops off the cake layers.
13. Set the first cake layer on a serving plate or cake board and spread about 3/4 cup of the Oreo frosting on top.
14. Pipe a ring of frosting along the outer edge of the layer to create a dam. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of Oreo crumbs inside the dam, then arrange 6-8 gummy worms on top and gently push them into the crumbs.
15. Place the second cake layer on top and spread another layer of Oreo frosting over it.
16. Repeat the dam, crumbs, and gummy worms process exactly as before.
17. Set the third cake layer on top, then frost the entire outside of the cake with the remaining Oreo frosting.
18. Press the leftover Oreo crumbs onto the sides of the cake in patches to give it a dirty, earthy appearance.
19. For the green frosting, place the butter in a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth. (This is a small amount, so it might be easier to use a hand mixer.)
20. Add the powdered sugar and mix until the frosting is smooth and fully combined.
21. Mix in the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of water or milk, beating until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add another splash of liquid until it pipes easily.
22. Tint the frosting with green gel icing color until it reaches your desired grass green shade.
23. Fit a piping bag with Wilton tip 233 (grass tip) and pipe grass tufts around the top edge and in a few spots on top of the cake. Scatter additional gummy worms on the top and finish by sprinkling any remaining Oreo crumbs.