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Dirt Cups

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Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cook Time: 0 minutes

5 from 3 votes

Quick and easy dirt cups are a fun recipe to make any time of year. All you need are 5 ingredients. The chocolate pudding layer is topped with crushed Oreos and gummy worms to make a dessert that the kids will go crazy for!

A dirt cup made with chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos.
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These no-bake dirt cups are not only kid-friendly, but you can also get the little ones to help make them. They also make a fun dessert for the grownups. After all, who can resist creamy chocolate mousse especially with sweet, chewy gummy candies on top?

Although you could make this as one dessert in a baking dish, I like to prepare individual portions in cups so everyone gets their own to enjoy. You'll love how quick these are to make and how the kids will scream in glee when they see them!

You could use my no-bake chocolate mousse recipe instead of using pudding mix if you prefer. Also, these chocolate-covered cake popsicles are another fun recipe you could make with the kids!

Main Ingredients

The ingredients used to make dessert dirt cups laid out on a table.

You will be pleased to know you only need 5 ingredients in total to make these Oreo dirt cups, and here they are:

  • Instant chocolate pudding mix: For chocolatey goodness! Using an instant mix instead of having to make chocolate mousse from scratch saves time and effort. You can use any brand you like. Make sure you're using the instant mix, not the one you have to cook.
  • Milk: To make the pudding. Use whichever kind of milk you prefer. I use whole milk just because it's creamier and tastier, but if you prefer to use 2% or experiment with a non-dairy version, that ought to work just as well.
  • Whipped topping: For indulgent creaminess. The reason I like to use Cool Whip is that it's more stable than homemade whipped cream and won't break down after a day or so as fresh whipped cream can. If you prefer to use real cream, make sure you get stiff peaks before adding it to the recipe.
  • Crushed Oreos: To give a textured topping. If you love Oreos, you'll love how much flavor and crunch they add to the dirt cups. However, feel free to use any kind of chocolate sandwich cookies because anything will work here.
  • Gummy worms: The finishing touch! What could be more spook-tacular as a dirt cup topping than gummy worms? Use any brand you want or try the super-sour ones instead of the sweet kind if you want.

Instructions Overview

First of all, you need to put the milk in a bowl and then sprinkle the pudding mix on top. Whisk well then let the mixture thicken up for a few minutes. Now fold in the whipped topping and divide the mixture between 8 serving cups.

Use a Ziploc bag and rolling pin or a food processor to crush the Oreos (including the cream filling). Sprinkle some of the Oreo crumbs into each cup then add gummy worms to each one. Keep the prepared dirt cups in the refrigerator until serving.

An overhead shot of gummy worms in dirt cup desserts.

Common Questions

What is the difference between cook and serve and instant pudding?

With the cooked kind, you need to make it in a pan on the stove and use heat. For instant pudding, you simply whisk it for 2 minutes then let it sit for 5 minutes, making it a simpler choice for a dirt cups recipe.

Can I use lactose-free milk to make instant pudding?

Yes, you can and you can also use a dairy-free alternative to the whipped topping.

What are gummy worms made of?

The main ingredient in gummy worms is gelatin and that's what makes them so wonderfully chewy. Bear in mind vegans don't eat animal products, so these dirt cups aren't vegan-friendly even if you sub the milk and whipping topping.

How long does pudding last in the fridge?

Once prepared, instant pudding can last about 5 days in the refrigerator. Don't add the cookie crumbs until just before serving.

A glass of chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos.

Chopnotch Tips

  • You can add a second tub of whipped topping to stretch the pudding mixture further and perhaps a spoonful of cocoa powder too, so the chocolate flavor is still as strong.
  • I prefer to add the Oreo crumbs and gummy worms just before serving so the cookie crumbles don't get soggy.
  • A little bit of black food coloring in the pudding layer gives a darker shade.
A spoon in a glass of chocolate pudding.

Dirt cups are fun to make and delicious to eat. You only need 5 ingredients to make these wonderful and kid-friendly treats.

Let us know what you think! Give this recipe a rating in the comments section below.

Recipe

How to Make

Dirt Cups

It doesn't have to be Halloween to make this easy 5-ingredient dessert. Kids love the rich chocolate flavor and fun gummy worms.
SCALE THIS RECIPE
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the pudding:

  • 2 cups milk
  • 3.4 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed

For the topping:

  • 12 Oreo cookies, crushed
  • 32 gummy worms
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Instructions

To make the pudding:

  • Add the milk to a mixing bowl and then sprinkle the pudding over the top. Whisk until well combined and then let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken up.
  • Fold in the whipped topping gently until well combined and then divide the chocolate pudding between 8 serving glasses or clear plastic cups.

To make the topping:

  • Crush the Oreo cookies using a food processor or in a Ziploc bag using a rolling pin into fine crumbs. Do not remove the cream filling from the cookies prior to crushing them.
  • Transfer the crushed cookie mixture evenly onto the top of each cup and then add 4 gummy worms to each cup. Push the ends of the gummy worms down into the topping. Chill until ready to serve and enjoy!
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Notes

  • You can add a second tub of whipped topping to stretch the pudding mixture further and perhaps a spoonful of cocoa powder too, so the chocolate flavor is still as strong.
  • I prefer to add the Oreo crumbs and gummy worms just before serving so the cookie crumbles don't get soggy.
  • A little bit of black food coloring in the pudding layer gives a darker shade.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 363kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 64g (21%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 7mg (2%), Sodium: 318mg (14%), Potassium: 176mg (5%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 43g (48%), Vitamin A: 120IU (2%), Calcium: 94mg (9%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Print Recipe
course:
Dessert
cuisine:
American

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