Copycat Crumbl Dubai Nest Dirt Cake Cup Recipe – Trying This Week's New Viral Menu
This dirt cake cup blew my mind with its layers! The silky chocolate mousse pairs perfectly with crunchy cookies & cream streusel while the Dubai-inspired pistachio crème adds an unexpected luxurious twist that makes every spoonful an adventure.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- unsalted butter 1 stick
- cream cheese (softened) 4 oz
- granulated sugar 2 cups
- brown sugar, packed 0.5 cup
- large eggs 2 pieces
- vanilla extract 1 tbsp
- all-purpose flour 2.25 cups
- Dutch-process cocoa powder 0.75 cup
- cornstarch 2 tbsp
- baking powder 1 tsp
- baking soda 0.5 tsp
- salt 0.75 tsp
- semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup
- Oreo cookies, crushed 12 pieces
- heavy cream 2 cups
- instant chocolate pudding mix 3.9 oz
Seasonings/Sauce
- pistachios, finely ground 0.5 cup
- powdered sugar 1 cup
- whole milk 3 tbsp
- almond extract 0.5 tsp
- green food coloring (optional) 2 drops
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
62 g
44%
Protein
8 g
6%
Fat
32 g
50%
Cooking steps
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1
Make the base cookie cups: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jumbo muffin/cupcake pan (8 cups) with parchment rounds for easy removal.
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2
In a large bowl, cream 1 stick butter, 4 oz cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy and pale, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
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3
In a second bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet just until combined — overmixing stiffens cookies. Fold in chocolate chips and 6 crushed Oreos.
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4
Divide dough evenly into 8 balls (about 4-5 oz each), press into the muffin pan bottoms and halfway up the sides to create deep cups. Chill dough 45–60 minutes — this prevents spreading and ensures the thick, soft Crumbl-style result.
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5
Bake 14–16 min until edges are set and the center is puffed but still slightly soft. Cool in pan 10 min, then gently lift out and cool completely. Texture tip: Slightly underbaked centers keep the signature fudgy chew.
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6
For chocolate mousse: In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with pudding mix until soft peaks form; fold in remaining 6 crushed Oreos for a cookies & cream mousse. Pipe or spoon mousse into cooled cookie cups.
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7
Pistachio crème: Mix powdered sugar, ground pistachios, 3 tbsp milk, almond extract, and optional green coloring until thick but pipeable. Spoon or pipe decorative 'nest' rings atop the mousse.
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8
Top each cup with extra Oreo crumbs and chopped pistachios for crunch. Chill assembled cups 2+ hours before serving so mousse and creme firm up — Crumbl serves theirs chilled for ultimate bite.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this Copycat Crumbl Dubai Nest Dirt Cake Cup recipe taste like the real thing?
Absolutely! This copycat nails Crumbl's triple-layered style: the thick, soft chocolate cookie base, cookies & cream Oreo mousse, and signature pistachio crème 'nest' on top. Chilling the dough and assembling in deep cups gives the authentic look and bite.
Q. Why did my cookie cups spread or turn out too thin?
The dough must be chilled for at least 45 minutes before baking. This step prevents excess spreading and keeps the cookie cups thick and soft, emulating Crumbl's famous bakery style. Also, be sure to press the dough up the sides of the pan well.
Q. Can I make this recipe nut-free or swap the pistachios?
The pistachio crème is a Dubai-inspired twist, but you may use ground sunflower seeds or omit the nest layer for a nut-free version. Omitting the pistachios will change the flavor and color but leaves the cookie and mousse intact.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in one Dubai Nest Dirt Cake Cup?
Each Crumbl-sized cup has about 570 calories, 62g carbs, 8g protein, and 32g fat. It's definitely a decadent treat — these are oversized and layered like the bakery version.
Q. How should I store or freeze these Dirt Cake Cups?
Store assembled cups covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookie bases (unfilled) for up to 2 months; add mousse and pistachio crème after thawing for best texture.
