Instructions: If youll be serving the cake in a terra-cotta pot, first sterilize the pot by placing it in the oven at 350 degrees for two to three hours. Be sure to avoid using any pot that has been glazed. If using a flowerpot with a drainage hole, reserve 1 cookie to place over hole to prevent leaking. Place remaining cookies in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until mixture resembles dirt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and butter, and stir until creamy. Set aside.

For the Sweetened Whipped Cream: In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine all ingredients. Mix on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.

In another large bowl, whisk together instant-pudding mixes and milk; stir until well blended. Using a rubber spatula, fold pudding mixture into cream-cheese mixture. Fold in whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream.

In a flowerpot or plastic bucket with a 4 1/2-quart capacity, alternate layers of cookie "dirt" and pudding mixture, starting and ending with cookie "dirt." Chill at least 4 hours or overnight before serving. Garnish with candy.

Comments: Jane Heller likes to serve her dirt cake creatively; for springtime entertaining, she presents the cake in a sterilized terra-cotta pot, then inserts sunflowers (their stems wrapped in plastic) into the cake for decoration. Martha assembles her dirt cake in a plastic sand pail and garnishes it with gummy candy.

This recipe yields 12 to 15 servings.

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