I couldn’t care less about football, even the Super Bowl. I only watch it for the commercials and this year, even those seemed to be lacking. As far as I’m concerned, Super Bowl Sunday is just a day to make snacks and hang out, huddled together on the couch as a family. I don’t quite recall when the tradition started, at least 4 or more years ago, but on this day, and this day only, do I make Dirt Dessert, Bri’s favorite. What’s not to like? It’s cool, creamy, sweet, and has crushed and broken up Oreos in it. Need I say more? Oh, yeah, it’s totally easy to make.

I remember the first time I had this dessert. It was the mid to late ’80’s over Christmas and we were visiting my grandparents in IL. Everyone was gathered at their house for a get together, potluck style. My uncle Fran and aunt Jan arrived with goodies and a Poinsettia plant which graced the center of the table. We were all gathered around the kitchen table, my grandpa at the head of the table where his green zippered sweatshirt jacket permanently adorned the back of his chair. My uncle was sitting close to my grandpa, when out of the blue, he pulled the plant towards him, swiped his finger in the “dirt” of the Poinsettia plant and promptly inserted it into his mouth, licking it clean. Flabbergasted, my grandpa’s jaw dropped and immediately questioned the youngest of his six children, a grown man, “What in God’s name are you doing?!” My aunt removed the fake Poinsettia plant and proceeded to serve up portions of this new dessert. We laughed until our sides hurt and my Grandpa with his ever tanned farmer cheeks, which made his brilliant blue eyes even more prevalent, laughed until his blue eyes shined with tears.

Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tbsp. butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 package of Oreo cookies, crushed & broken
• 2 packages sugar free instant chocolate pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 1 12 oz. container Cool Whip, thawed

Directions:

In a food processor, crush 1/2 the package of Oreos to crumbs. With the other half of the package, pulse a few short, quick times so there are larger broken pieces of Oreos; set aside. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar, until thoroughly incorporated; set aside. In a large bowl or standup mixer, mix together the chocolate pudding and milk on high (if using the stand up mixer, here’s the time to cover with a dish towel so chocolate splatter doesn’t get everywhere!) for 3-5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the bowl. Add in the creamed cheese mixture, stirring on low to incorporate. Fold in the whipped cream. Mix in the Oreo crumbs and pieces, reserving some of the bigger pieces to add to the top. Refrigerate for an hour or two before serving.