This kitty litter cake may look unpleasantly realistic with its crumbled “litter” and chocolate “surprises,” but beneath the icky appearance is a soft, moist dirt cake tossed with pudding and cookies!
Why this recipe works
I know, kitty litter cake may look gag-worthy, but it’s actually a tasty treat! It’s essentially a dirt cake made with cake mix, vanilla pudding, crumbled cookies, and Tootsie Rolls. I’ve made this quite a few times over the past 10 years, and without fail, it’s the talk of every Halloween party I’ve brought it to!
One of the main reasons this kitty litter cake looks so real is due to the small amount of cookie crumbs that are colored with a smidge of green food coloring. This makes it look like the green chlorophyll in cat litter. The more realistic, the better! It’s a fun little switch-up from the swarm of cutesy Halloween party foods out there if you’re going for more of a classic spooky or “gross” vibe.
RELATED – These Boogers on a Stick are another good but gross Halloween party idea that’s super easy to make!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CAKE – Pick two flavors of cake mix. Either yellow and chocolate, or white and chocolate. Having the two stark color differences helps give the cake a more realistic look.
COOKIES – Golden Oreos are perfect here, but you can easily substitute with off-brand vanilla sandwich cookies with the same results.
PUDDING – Make sure to grab instant vanilla pudding. Feel free to use other pudding flavors as well. I’ve previously made this cake with pistachio pudding, and it came out just as good!
SERVING – You can grab a small, cheap kitty litter box to serve it in, same goes for the pooper scooper. I found mine at the dollar store, and it was the smallest one they offered. It goes without saying that the box should be brand new! Give it a good wash before using. You don’t want too large of a cat box as the cake won’t take up that much space. Try to find one that’s rather shallow if possible. The photos here show this cake made in an 18x14x5 box.
How to Make Kitty Litter Cake
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions on the back of the box (any size pans, but 13×9 is easiest).
- Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.
- Crumble sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor, scraping often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup.
- To the 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix using your fingers until it reaches an even green color.
- When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble them into the new litter box. Toss with half the remaining cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Mix in just enough of the pudding to moisten it. You don’t want it soggy. Combine gently.
- Put three unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave-safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat with 3 more Tootsie rolls and bury in the mixture. Sprinkle the other half of the cookie crumbs over the top.
- Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top. (This is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter.)
- Heat 3 Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake; then sprinkle with cookie crumbs.
- Spread remaining Tootsie Rolls over the top; take one and heat until pliable, hang it over the side of the kitty litter box, sprinkling it lightly with cookie crumbs. Serve with a new pooper scooper.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, you can prepare this kitty litter cake the day before serving. Simply wrap the top with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your kitty litter cake slightly above room temperature. You can make it a day in advance or prepare it the morning of, then store it in the fridge until about 30-40 minutes before serving to allow it some time to come down to room temperature. Happy Halloween!
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Kitty Litter Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix prepared
- 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix prepared
- 5.1 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix one large box, prepared
- 25 ounces vanilla sandwich cookies such as Golden Oreos
- Green food coloring
- 15 small Tootsie Rolls
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Pick two flavors of cake mix. Either yellow and chocolate, or white and chocolate. Having the two stark color differences helps give the cake a more realistic look. Be sure to grab the ingredients needed on the back of the boxes to prepare the cake mixes as well.
- Cake mix weights have changed over the years. It won’t make a drastic difference if your cake mix weighs in at 15.25 ounces or 13.25 ounces. Either will work.
- You can grab a small, cheap kitty litter box to serve it in, same goes for the pooper scooper. I found mine at the dollar store, and it was the smallest one they offered. It goes without saying that the box should be brand new! Give it a good wash before using. You don’t want too large of a cat box as the cake won’t take up that much space. Try to find one that’s rather shallow if possible. The photos here show this cake made in an 18x14x5 box.
Instructions
- Prepare cake mixes and bake according to box directions (any size pans, but 13×9 is easiest).15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix, 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble.5.1 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
- Crumble the sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor, scraping often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup.25 ounces vanilla sandwich cookies
- To the 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix using your fingers until it reaches an even green color.
- When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble them into the new litter box. Toss with half the remaining cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Mix in just enough of the pudding to moisten it. You don’t want it soggy. Combine gently.
- Put three unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat with 3 more Tootsie Rolls and bury them in the mixture. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over the top.
- Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top. (This is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter.)
- Heat 3 Tootsie Rolls in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake; then sprinkle with cookie crumbs.
- Spread the remaining Tootsie Rolls over the top; take one and heat until pliable, hang it over the side of the kitty litter box, sprinkling it lightly with cookie crumbs. Serve with a new pooper scooper.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can prepare this kitty litter cake the day before serving. Simply wrap the top with plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This kitty litter cake originally appeared here on October 30th, 2011 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips. Below is the original image that gained popularity over the years!
Amanda Davis
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Lisa says
I’m gonna be trying this for a halloween party. I’m not a good baker so wish me luck 😁
Barbara Wills says
This is a good one for my Granddaughter K.K. she thinks gross!
Jessica Rasmussen says
Found this for a last minute Halloween party I was invited to, I can’t stop smiling, can’t wait to see there reaction! ??
Amanda Formaro says
I hope they loved it Jessica!
SJCarras says
LOL! I’m not sure I”D eat them, and I tend to like Tootsie Rolls (well, maybe not always the biggest ones which ARE segmented to look like, brown, sh–..ah, you know lol.
Christine says
OMG!!!! I love this idea! It is so creepy and disgusting that it is perfect for Halloween. I was looking for something to make for my daughters girl scout ? party and this is absolutely perfect. Thank you!!
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome!! Be sure stop back and let me know how it turns out! :)
Amy Grasso says
I made this and instead of Tootsie Rolls I used Little Debbie Brownies & Molded them to look like a Turd LOL ….I thought the Tootsie Rolls would be too Chewy….It came out Great!! I had a Friend that did this with Crumpled Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Dust Pan with a Lil Duster & a Poem that went with It. Real Cute, Very Creative!!
Amanda Formaro says
Haha great idea using the brownies!! Did they have the colored sprinkled candy on them still? LMAO
Eboni says
I love your creativity. But, I couldn’t eat it lol. I will be using this idea to make dirt for my Halloween graveyard though! TFS :)
Amanda Formaro says
Haha! I can actually say I tried it when my (now) 23 year old daughter was in 6th grade ;)
No one cares says
Another example of those who have no brains. Why on earth would anyone even come up with something like this? That’s awful to do to someone. Welcome to the dysfunctional world we live in.
Amanda Formaro says
Ha ha! Well it’s not for everyone, but it definitely puts the “trick” in trick or treat. ;)
Kelley Blaylock says
Do you honestly think someone would actually eat Kitty Litter? Would you? It’s a cake, and it’s supposed to be fun. It’s not doing any thing to anyone. It’s supposed to be fun, and those that don’t want to try it, don’t have to. Those of us that are not “Karen’s” enjoy the joke!
Naomi Temple says
Actually demented brains! lol! I love people who come up with things I’d never think about. I’m doing this for Friday as this fits the theme of the gross or scary food item to bring.
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, Naomi. This cake, as gross as it looks, is always a big hit flavor wise! Have fun :)
Thelma says
Well, there always have to be that one negative nancy among the group..
This is for fun ,so why make anyone feel less of a person just bcuz you don’t like it or see the humor in it??
Don’t leave such a nasty response, just don’t make it go on to something else that you enjoy…..
Shirl says
LOL, I saw this and immediately was grossed out and laughed. Awesome idea, Thanks. I’m making it an not saying a word, see everyone’s reaction.
Amanda Formaro says
Haha it’s always fun to see people’s reactions!
Valerie says
What size kitty litter pan did you use? All the ones I see are huge!
Amanda Formaro says
I just go to the dollar store and grab the regular sized one. Sorry I don’t have an exact size to give you!
Colleen Maguire says
What keeps the cake from falling through the litter scoop?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Colleen :) Well much like real cat litter, it clumps together because of the moisture, so it won’t fall through! :)
E. says
This is a great cake for that gross out factor! A few yrs. ago I made one for a friend’s birthday (who has a lot of cats), and she loved it.
Pennie Hoffman says
I am so looking forward to making this!!!!! Of course the Love of My Life have a gag-reflex factor of .02, so it will be the perfect Halloween Prank!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! Keep These ideas Coming!
Amanda Formaro says
Ha ha! Hope you have fun with it Pennie, I know we always did!
Clarissa Montalbo says
Oh my goodness I sooooo am going to make this for my family for Halloween they are going to FLIP! HAHA I made a meat pie and I never cook for my family so they thought it was going to be disgusting and maybe burnt, but it came out perfect!! And so crisp, everyone ate it all and felt very ashamed because they were making fun of me when I was making it. So their going to definitely make some strange comments this time when I make this cat litter cake for them!!! Thanks so much for this recipe Amanda!
Tonja Hustin says
I made this MANY years ago for my daughter’s Girl Scout Holloween Party. None of the girls would touch it, including my daughter. I served the “litter” in a new litter pan and a new scooper. Finally, about 30 minutes before the party was over, one brave mother took a scoop. She asked for the recipe! I took none home. I used a spice cake mix and a white cake mix along with Tootsie Rolls and melted carmels. The carmels melted out into puddles. They looked like diarrhea.
Ginger says
Ohh love it we are going toale thos for our Girl Scouts as well! Hope thay like it!
alison says
Dont leave cake around cause cat could use it for real lol
EDWARD ROOSA says
I HAVE NEVER SEEN GREEN CAT LITTER BEFORE. I’VE SEEN WHITE, PAPER CAT LITTER, WHITE WITH BLUE SPECKES. HOPE UR HALLOWEEN PARTY IS THE CATS MEOW.
Amanda Formaro says
The green used to be in a lot of cat litters, it was speckled into the gray. Not so much anymore.
Ms MARY FAY DOYLE says
Hi Amanda, I am new here but I found your Kitty Litter Cake. It don’t necessarily have to be for Halloween. It could be for someone who loves cats (like my daughter), April Fools, joke for someone’s birthday. Oh there’s probably several different days you could use it on. But needless to say that is one pan the kitties don’t get because it goes in the cabinet with the other cake pans for the next time. :)
Laura says
I have actually seen online a much simpler way of making the kitty litter dessert. Simply make a batch of brownies (from a mix is fine), and use your hands after they cool to make the “poop” shapes. Then fill your box or pan with either chopped nuts or crushed cookies of the right color for the “litter.”
Amanda Formaro says
Yes, I’ve seen that one too. Wouldn’t be as good to eat though. Just cookie crumbs and brownies. The cake in this recipe has pudding, making it moist. But not a lot of people eat it anyway, so either way works haha!
Penny says
the Kitty Litter box cake is a great idea.the only thing I noticed is it looks like dry cake.not like a piece of cake that’s moist.is it dry and crumbly?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Penny. No it’s not dry at all, it’s really moist in fact. The reason it looks dry is because the topping is cookie crumbs.
Barbarella a.k.a. The Mad Cat Lady says
Brilliant! I would love to serve that one up one day. Just imagine people´s feces, erm *faces*, I mean! LOL
MMH says
We used this for the “Creepy Cake” Contest at work (http://blog.firstaidmart.com/kitty-litter-cake/) and WON. Once you get over the look, it taste really great – moist, too (we added the leftover pudding as a layer in the middle drizzled over with melted dark chocolate, too)
Amanda Formaro says
Yummy! haha!