Dirt Cake with Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pumpkins
Dirt Cake with Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pumpkins is a chocolate boxed brownie. That is then topped with Nutella frosting, crushed Oreos and strawberries decorated like pumpkins. The perfect pumpkin patch dessert.
Preheat the oven to 350 F and spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix as per the box instructions, and make sure not to overmix the batter. We used 2 eggs, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 cup oil per the instructions on Duncan Hines Brownie Mix.
Pour the prepared brownie batter into the greased baking pan and spread evenly across, filling the corners as well. Place the brownie pan into the oven and bake per box instructions, usually about 20-23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted an inch from the edge comes out clean. When finished, let cool on a wire rack completely before decorating.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Wash and fully dry the strawberries. You can lay them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel while you prep the chocolate. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir it with a spoon and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each time, until fully melted and creamy. Do not overheat as it will burn and become thicker. You could also use a double boiler if you prefer.
Hold the strawberry leaves on top and carefully dip each strawberry into the melted orange chocolate. Then place the chocolate covered strawberry onto the parchment paper lined tray. Repeat until all strawberries are dipped and covered in the chocolate. Place in the refrigerator to set.
Pour the leftover melted chocolate into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #4 tip. If you don’t have a bag or tip, you can use a ziplock bag and snip a small piece of the corner off for piping. Don't snip too much, as you only want a small hole for the chocolate to come out.
Once the chocolate is dry on the strawberries, you can add the pumpkin lines. Hold the piping bag firmly and decorate lines on your strawberry pumpkins. Repeat until all strawberries are done and then set aside.
Nutella Frosting
Place the Nutella in a microwave safe bowl and microwave to soften it for about 15 seconds, and stir it with a spoon.
In a large mixing bowl using a standing or handheld mixer, cream the butter on medium speed until fluffy and creamy. Then add the Nutella and mix until it is well incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Next, add in the vanilla, salt, and heavy whipping cream and mix again until it is fully incorporated. Make sure to scrape down the sides and mix as needed. Set aside.
Brownies Continued
Add Oreos into a food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. Don't have a food processor? You can also place them in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Set aside.
Once the brownies have cooled, spread the frosting over the brownies and spread it evenly across. Sprinkle generously with the Oreo crumbs for the dirt and then top with the mint for vines and chocolate covered strawberries for the pumpkins.