Dirt cups are a fun, easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion! This recipe is simple to follow and can be made with just 5 ingredients. These cups are great for parties or simply as a sweet treat for yourself!
Our family loves fun, kid-friendly treats like these dirt pudding cups! Some of our other favorites are Grasshopper Ice Cream Pie and S’mores Rice Krispies Treats!
Table of Contents
There’s something about dirt cups that just makes them so much fun. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re a bit messy, or maybe it’s the combination of chocolate and cool whip that makes them so irresistible.
I have loved this classic mom treat ever since I was a kid and they were popular at birthday parties. No matter what it is, this dirt dessert is always a big hit!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Chocolate instant pudding
- Milk
- Cool Whip
- Oreo cookies
- Gummy worms
How to Make Dirt Cups
Prepare. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Let it sit until it has thickened, about 3 minutes.
Mix. Whisk the cool whip into the pudding. Place the Oreos into a food processor (affiliate link) and pulse until you have a fine crumb. You will use the whole Oreo, including the cream filling.
Assemble. Fill individual cups halfway with the pudding. Sprinkle a layer of Oreos. Top with the remaining pudding, then sprinkle the remaining Oreo crumbs on top of the pudding.
Finish. Place some gummy worms on top and enjoy.
Tips for Success
Here’s how to make sure your dirt pudding cups turn out perfect!
- Don’t overmix the pudding. Instead, just whisk it until it’s combined and thickened.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can place the Oreos in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Make ahead. Dirt Cups are best served within a few hours of assembling.
- If you want to make these ahead of time, assemble the cups and store them in the fridge for up to a day.
Substitutions
- Pudding. You can use any type of pudding you like. Chocolate is the most popular, but vanilla pudding works great too.
- Cool whip. You can use store-bought or homemade whipped cream in place of Cool Whip. You can also use the light version of Cool Whip. Just avoid the whipped cream in a can.
- Cream cheese. You can use 8 ounces of softened cream cheese instead of the cool whip for a more decadent pudding.
- Milk. You can use any type of milk you like. Whole milk or 2% milk works best, but almond or coconut milk could also be used.
- Oreos. You can use any type of cookie you like in place of the Oreos. Graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or chocolate sandwich cookies would all work great.
- Gummy worms. You can use any type of candy you like in place of the gummy worms. For example, gummy bears, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, or even sour bright crawlers would be a fun treat!
Variations
You can change up this recipe to make it even more fun! You can even make them themed for specific holidays and other occasions during any time of the year!
• For Halloween, you can use candy pumpkins or ghosts instead of gummy worms. You could also use chocolate sandwich cookies and make graveyard dirt cups!
• For Christmas, you can use candy canes or gingerbread men instead of gummy worms. You could also use red velvet cookies and make Santa’s workshop dirt cups!
• For Valentine’s Day, you can use conversation hearts or cupcakes instead of the gummy worms. You could also use strawberry cookies and make love bug dirt cups!
• For St. Patrick’s Day, you can use shamrock candies or chocolate gold coins instead of the gummy worms. You could also use green velvet cookies and make leprechaun dirt cups!
• For Summer sand buckets, you can use a combination of Nilla Wafers and Oreos instead of just Oreos with chocolate and vanilla pudding layers. Layer in a clean plastic sand bucket and decorate with chocolate shells and a cute plastic shovel for the full effect of sand bucket dirt cups!
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover dirt pudding can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. That is, if you can keep yourself from eating it all in one day!
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes! You can freeze this dirt cup recipe for up to 3 months. I recommend leaving the gummy worms off if you are going to freeze them.
Thaw in the fridge overnight and add the gummy worms just before serving.
Dirt Cups FAQ’s
Oreo dirt cups are usually made with a pudding mixture, Oreo cookie crumbs, and gummy worms. You can use any type of pudding you like, but chocolate is the most popular.
You can place them in a ziplock bag and smash them with a rolling pin. You can also buy Oreo baking crumbs.
Definitely. You can use my homemade whipped cream recipe instead of the Cool Whip. I wouldn’t use a can of Redi-Whip type whipped cream topping because it will just melt into the pudding and not make it light and fluffy.
Yes, you can! I highly recommend coconut milk or coconut cream because it adds a fantastic flavor to the pudding.
Yes! Just place them in the blender and pulse until they are crushed. You may need to do it in batches depending on the size of your blender.
Yes, you can use tapioca pudding, but I would recommend using the chocolate flavor for the classic cup of dirt experience.
If you want to get really creative, you can add other items to your dirt cups. For example, try adding candy rocks or green sprinkles for extra color.
More Pudding Dessert Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Pudding Dirt Cups
Ingredients
- 1 (5.9-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- 13 Oreo cookies
- Gummy worms
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the chocolate pudding mix and milk for 1-2 minutes until well-combined. Let it sit until the pudding has thickened.1 (5.9-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix, 3 cups cold milk
- Whisk the Cool Whip into the pudding.8 ounces Cool Whip
- Place the Oreos (filling and all) into a food processor (affiliate link) and pulse until they are fine crumbs.13 Oreo cookies
- Fill glasses halfway with the pudding mix. Sprinkle a layer of Oreos over the pudding. Top with the remaining pudding, then sprinkle on the remaining Oreo crumbs.
- Place some gummy worms on top of each dirt cup, then serve.Gummy worms
Notes
- Storage: Leftover dirt pudding can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. That is, if you can keep yourself from eating it all in one day!
- Freezing: You can freeze this dirt cup recipe for up to 3 months. I recommend leaving the gummy worms off if you are going to freeze them. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add the gummy worms just before serving.
- Whipped Cream: You can use my homemade whipped cream recipe instead of the Cool Whip. I wouldn’t use a can of Redi-Whip type whipped cream topping because it will just melt into the pudding and not make it light and fluffy.
