Get ready to dig into the ultimate nostalgic dessert! Our easy-to-make dirt cups recipe is a classic childhood treat that's still a crowd-pleaser today. With creamy chocolate pudding, crunchy Oreo 'dirt,' and adorable gummy worm toppings, these mini desserts are fun and delicious, perfect for kids' parties or just a sweet indulgence - ready in just 20 minutes!
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These dirt cups are a classic dessert that's incredibly easy to make. By combining instant chocolate pudding mix, whipped cream, and milk, you'll have a rich and creamy treat in no time. The crushed Oreos layered throughout and the playful gummy worms on top add a fun touch.
What makes our dirt cups special is how simple they are to prepare. Just mix together the pudding, whipped cream, and milk, and you're almost done! This easy combination creates a deliciously chocolatey treat that's perfect for any occasion.
Once you've tried these dirt cups, explore more sweet treats on our site to satisfy your inner chocoholic! Try my 3-Ingredient Homemade Peanut Butter Cups for another quick and easy nostalgic snack. Or, indulge in our No-Bake Easy Fudge for a silky smooth chocolate treat. For a lighter option, check out our fluffy and jiggly Chocolate Castella Cake. Or, try Mom's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe for a classic favorite. For an adult pudding version, don't miss my Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse.
🧾 Ingredients
- Instant chocolate pudding mix
- Milk
- Oreos
- Whipped topping
- Gummy worms
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.
⭐ Ingredient notes
- Pudding mix - Instant chocolate pudding mix is the easiest and fastest way to make this recipe, but if you prefer the cooked pudding version, then you do you! And if your heart desires chocolate fudge flavor instead of regular chocolate, then use that. Sugar-free pudding mix is also a great option!
- Whipped topping - Whether you choose to make your own homemade whipped cream, or prefer to use canned whipped cream or Cool Whip, use what you like best.
- Oreos - Name-brand Oreos are certainly not necessary. Use Hydrox or the store-brand instead, or if you prefer a gluten-free option, those are available too.
- Milk - Use the version of milk that makes your heart happy, whether that's whole milk, 2%, 1%, skim, or a non-dairy version.
- Gummy worms - I used regular gummy worms in my dirt cups recipe, but sour worms or other gummy candies would be just as fun!
🥣 How to make chocolate pudding dirt cups
First, make sure you have your whipped cream handy. If you're using canned whipped cream or Cool Whip, you're all set! If you'd prefer to make your own whipped cream, simply whisk together 1-½ cups of heavy cream, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. This will approximately equal 8 ounces of whipped cream topping.
Also, crush those Oreo cookies. You can accomplish this by mixing them up in a food processor, or just putting the cookies in a ziploc bag and hitting them with a rolling pin. No need to remove the cream centers, they'll get mixed into the crush.
To make the pudding, just whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until it's all well blended and smooth. Then, let it rest for about 5 minutes so the pudding can thicken.
Once the pudding has thickened, fold in the whipped cream. If this thins out the pudding a bit, just place it in the refrigerator for an additional 5 minutes before assembling the dirt cups.
🥄 Assembling the dirt cups
To serve the dirt cups, use any small cups that you have handy. For my recipe, I used 8-ounce clear disposable cups so that you're able to see the layers from the side.
Place a few spoonfuls of pudding in the bottom of the cup. Then, sprinkle a layer of cookie crumbles on top. Repeat this layer once more.
Top the pudding cups with gummy worms, sticking the ends of the worms into the crushed cookies, so they appear to be crawling out of the "dirt."
😃 Fun variations
- 🎃 Halloween Dirt Cups - In addition to the gummy worms, add peep ghosts, candy eyes, tombstones, and candy corn & pumpkins.
- ✨ Funfetti - Stir homemade sprinkles into vanilla pudding and use Golden Oreos for the dirt.
- 🐰 Easter - Top the pudding cups with green-colored shredded coconut, peep bunnies, robins egg candy and other Easter candy.
- 🥜 Chocolate Peanut Butter - Layer the pudding with Reese's cups, Reese's pieces, peanut butter Oreos, or Nutter Butter cookies.
- 🌿 Mint Pudding Cups - Make the cups with mint or pistachio pudding and layer with mint-flavored Oreos.
- ⛱️ Beach Day - Instead of chocolate, use vanilla pudding and Golden Oreos, and top with a mini umbrella.
- 🍬 Giant Dirt Cup - Layer all the ingredients in a large pan or bowl, and scoop it out with a large spoon to serve.
- 🍮 Use Your Imagination - Experiment with lots of different flavors of pudding, layers, and toppings. You're only limited by your imagination!
🧺 Storage
Covered tightly with plastic wrap, your dirt cups will stay good in the refrigerator for several days.
❓FAQ
Not at all. You can certainly make a cooked pudding version instead. Just be sure to let the pudding cool completely before assembling the dirt cups.
You can use either canned whipped topping, Cool Whip, or make your own homemade whipped cream.
Yes, there is! Just use gluten-free Oreo cookies, or any other gluten-free cookie you like.
While whole milk will result in the thickest, creamiest pudding, use the milk you already have at home, whether that's whole, 2%, 1%, skim, or a dairy-free version.
Love chocolate desserts as much as we do? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes now:
- Irish Coffee Chocolate Mousse
- 3-Ingredient Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
- No-Bake Easy Fudge
- Chocolate Castella Cake
- Mom's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Layer Cake
- Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
- 5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Chocolate Zucchini Bread
📝 Recipe
Dirt Cups
Ingredients
- Two 3.9 ounce boxes of chocolate instant pudding mix
- 4 cups cold milk
- 16 Oreo cookies
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- 18 gummy worms
Instructions
- First, make sure you have your whipped cream handy. If you're using canned whipped cream or Cool Whip, you're all set! If you'd prefer to make your own whipped cream, simply whisk together 1-½ cups of heavy cream, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. This will approximately equal 8 ounces of whipped cream topping.
- Also, crush those Oreo cookies. You can accomplish this by mixing them up in a food processor, or just putting the cookies in a ziploc bag and hitting them with a rolling pin. No need to remove the cream centers, they'll get mixed into the crush.
- To make the pudding, just whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until it's all well blended and smooth. Then, let it rest for about 5 minutes so the pudding can thicken.
- Once the pudding has thickened, fold in the whipped cream. If this thins out the pudding a bit, just place it in the refrigerator for an additional 5 minutes before assembling the dirt cups.
- To serve the dirt cups, use any small cups that you have handy. For my recipe, I used 8-ounce clear disposable cups so that you're able to see the layers from the side.
- Place a few spoonfuls of pudding in the bottom of the cup. Then, sprinkle a layer of cookie crumbles on top. Repeat this layer once more.
- Top the pudding cups with gummy worms, sticking the ends of the worms into the crushed cookies, so they appear to be crawling out of the "dirt."
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- 🎃 Halloween Dirt Cups - In addition to the gummy worms, add peep ghosts, candy eyes, tombstones, and candy corn & pumpkins.
- ✨ Funfetti - Stir homemade sprinkles into vanilla pudding and use Golden Oreos for the dirt.
- 🐰 Easter - Top the pudding cups with green-colored shredded coconut, peep bunnies, robins egg candy and other Easter candy.
- 🥜 Chocolate Peanut Butter - Layer the pudding with Reese's cups, Reese's pieces, peanut butter Oreos, or Nutter Butter cookies.
- 🌿 Mint Pudding Cups - Make the cups with mint or pistachio pudding and layer with mint-flavored Oreos.
- ⛱️ Beach Day - Instead of chocolate, use vanilla pudding and Golden Oreos, and top with a mini umbrella.
- 🍬 Giant Dirt Cup - Layer all the ingredients in a large pan or bowl, and scoop it out with a large spoon to serve.
- 🍮 Use Your Imagination - Experiment with lots of different flavors of pudding, layers, and toppings. You're only limited by your imagination!
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