What is an Oreo Tomb Pumpkin Cake?

The Oreo Tomb Pumpkin Cake is a festive Halloween dessert that combines moist pumpkin cake, creamy frosting, and crushed Oreos to create a “graveyard” effect. It’s a creative twist on the original dirt cake recipe and works well for both full cakes and individual graveyard dirt cake cups.

Can I make this as a Halloween dirt cake recipe ahead of time?

Yes! The Oreo Tomb Pumpkin Cake recipe can be prepared a day in advance. Refrigerating the cake or graveyard dirt cake cups helps the flavors meld and keeps the Oreo “dirt” crunchy. It also works well as a Halloween dirt pudding recipe.

Can I customize this Halloween Oreo dirt cake?

Absolutely! You can swap pumpkin spice for other spices, use different candy decorations, or even adapt it into a Christmas dirt cake. The recipe is flexible, family-friendly, and perfect for both Halloween dirt cake cups and large cakes.

What are some fun Halloween graveyard cake ideas?

Use edible tombstones, gummy worms, and candy pumpkins to create a spooky scene. You can also make mini Oreo Tomb Pumpkin Cake versions in graveyard dirt cake cups for parties, or layer it as a Halloween dirt pudding recipe for an easy-to-serve treat.

Oreo Tomb Pumpkin Cake Recipe – Spooky Halloween Dessert 2025

Description

A spooky and delicious Halloween dessert featuring moist pumpkin cake, creamy filling, and a “graveyard” of crushed Oreos. Perfect for Halloween parties, this cake can be decorated with edible tombstones and candy accents for a festive look. Individual Halloween dirt cake cups can also be made for easy serving.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round cake or 12 dirt cake cups):

For the Pumpkin Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Filling & Frosting:

16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

For the Graveyard Topping:

15–20 Oreo cookies, crushed (for “dirt”)
Edible tombstone decorations or homemade tombstones from fondant
Gummy worms or Halloween candies for accents

Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Bake Pumpkin Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla.
Gradually mix in dry ingredients until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Adjust consistency with milk as needed for spreading.

Step 3: Assemble Cake

Level the cooled cake.
Spread a thick layer of frosting evenly on top and sides.

Step 4: Decorate Graveyard

Crush Oreos and sprinkle over the frosting to create “dirt.”
Insert tombstone decorations and scatter gummy worms or candies around the top for a spooky effect.

Notes

- Mini Version: Use cupcake liners to make individual Halloween dirt cake cups.
- Make Ahead: Cake can be baked a day ahead; assemble and decorate before serving.
- Extra Spooky: Use black or gray fondant to create tombstones with names or messages.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Category: Dessert / Halloween Cake
Method: Baked / Decorated
Cuisine: American