Dirt Cups
71 Comments
Posted: 03/24/23
Updated: 09/30/24
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Looking for a fun and easy treat for a party that the kids and adults will love? Oreo Dirt Cups are your answer! They only take 10 minutes and have 5 ingredients with a layer of chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos and gummy worms. So easy anyone can make them!
Dirt cups are a super easy chocolate pudding treat that are perfect for parties or anytime you want a fun, kid-friendly dessert. Although, the adults always love these cute dirt and worms pudding cups because who can resist creamy chocolate pudding topped with crushed Oreos? No one I know!
I’m always looking for cute desserts for the kiddos and this one ranks right up there with a sundae ice cream bar and funfetti dip!
My kids LOVE to make these. It’s an easy 10-minute recipe we can all make together – they just love sticking the gummy worms in the “dirt” and I love to listen to them laugh and giggle while we assemble them. They’re so fun to serve, too! Everyone can’t help but smile when they see them.
I’ve seen other “dirt” recipes that are assembled in large serving dishes that everyone takes a scoop from, but I think these individual ones are so much cuter and easier to serve. Everyone gets their own little dirt cup to enjoy.
You are going to love how easy this dirt cup recipe is!
Why You’ll Love these easy Dirt Cups!
- Only five ingredients!
- No Bake. Mix it up, dump it in and let them chill.
- Individual cups make it easy to serve at a party.
Ingredients for Dirt Cups
Yep, just five ingredients! This is a low-stress recipe – the best kind of recipe, right?!
- Instant Pudding mix – We use chocolate, but you can use any kind of pudding. Some people use vanilla!
- Milk – Any type of milk will work, but whole or 2% milk will work the best.
- Cool Whip – You could substitute 8 ounces of cream cheese if you want a richer filling.
- Oreos – We use traditional chocolate Oreos, but Golden Oreos or different flavors is a great way to switch it up. You could also use Graham crackers, vanilla wafers etc.
- Gummy worms – Mix up the type of candy from traditional gummy worms if you want. Great options are gummy bears, peanut butter cups, sour gummy worms etc.
How To Make Dirt Cups
- In a large bowl, sprinkle the pudding mix over the top of the milk and then whisk to combine. Let the pudding sit for five minutes to thicken.
- Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture. Doing this gently will ensure the topping stays airy and fluffy. Don’t stir because that will deflate it.
- Spoon the chocolate pudding into cups or glasses. Top each one with the crushed cookies and then stick four gummy worms in each.
- Cover and chill the pudding dirt cups until you’re ready to serve them. That’s it! So, easy and so fun!
Variations
- Sand Pudding Cups – Use vanilla pudding instead of chocolate and crushed Nilla Wafers or Golden Oreos for the layers. Then layer and use Teddy Grahams on top and drink umbrellas to decorate.
- Halloween Dirt Cups – Make the same layers, but on top decorate it with candy pumpkins, candy eyes, worms etc.
- Easter Dirt Cups – Once again, use the same pudding and cookie layers, but on top use a Peep marshmallow, candy eggs, coconut flakes died green for grass etc.
How to crush Oreos
The easiest way to crush the Oreos is with a food processor. If you don’t have one you can place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
How to Store Dirt Cups
Cover dirt cups with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.
The cookies will get slightly mushy from soaking up moisture from the pudding.
Make Ahead Tips
These can be made ahead but if you make them more than about 12 hours in advance you might want to wait to add the Oreos and gummy worms until you serve them.
Oreos will get soggy and the gummy candy tends to harden when they are chilled.
Pro Tips!
- If you want to use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping you can, but they won’t hold up as long in the refrigerator. Whipped cream isn’t as stable as Cool Whip and will start to break down after a day or so.
- If you want to make them in advance I would use the Cool Whip. If you plan to serve them the day of feel free to use homemade whipped cream if you prefer! The whipped cream should hold stiff peaks before you fold it into the pudding.
- When I make this recipe with my kids, they love to mix the pudding and decorating the cups with the cookie dirt and gummy worms. I give them a hand crushing the cookies, folding in the Cool Whip and spooning it into the cups.
- If you don’t want to make individual cups, you can assemble it in a baking dish instead.
- If you want to make the “dirty layer” darker in cooler add a little bit of black food gel to the pudding mixture to darken it.
- To stretch the pudding mixture farther add another tub of Cool Whip. It will produce a lighter cooler of dirt and it won’t be as “chocolatey”.
- Skip the individual portions and layers these in a large glass trifle bowl for the perfect Halloween recipe.
I hope you have as much fun as we do when you make these adorable dirt cups! They are always a hit when we make them!
More Oreo Dessert Recipes
Love cookies and cream? We do, too! Here are some other recipes you might like to try:
- Oreo Fluff is the perfect no-bake dessert or salad! It’s a light and fluffy Oreo Cookie Salad that’s so easy to make it’s ready in ten minutes!
- Oreo Poke Cake is a super easy cake recipe that has chocolate pudding and whipped cream. It’s perfect for potlucks and parties!
- Cookies and Cream Truffles are an easy treat made with Oreos. They are an easy make-ahead treat that freezes great.
- Chocolate Lasagna is an easy no-bake dessert that is so rich and decadent!
- Monster Oreo Pops are perfect for Halloween!
MORE TOP-RATED RECIPES!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Dirt Cups
Layers of chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos topped with gummy worms!
Ingredients
- 3.4 ounces box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces whipped topping thawed
Toppings
- 10-12 Oreo cookies crushed
- 32 gummy worms
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add cold milk and sprinkle pudding over top and whisk until well combined.
- Let sit 5 minutes to thicken.
- Gently fold in whipped topping until well combined.
- Spoon into glasses or cups.
- Sprinkle crushed Oreo cookies on top of pudding in cups.
- Add 4 gummy worms on top of each cup.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Tips
- Cover dirt cups with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- These can be made ahead but if you make them more than about 12 hours in advance you might want to wait to add the Oreos and gummy worms until you serve them. Oreos will get soggy and the gummy candy tends to harden when they are chilled.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 337kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 62g (21%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 7g (11%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Cholesterol: 4mg (1%), Sodium: 304mg (13%), Potassium: 178mg (5%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 42g (47%), Vitamin A: 137IU (3%), Calcium: 99mg (10%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Laura says
Do you think it would be OK to fold in the Cool Whip and then refrigerate overnight before scooping into individual cups? Or should I wait until just before serving to add the Cool Whip?
Brooke Kill says
Hi Laura, yes you are able to use cool whip and refrigerate overnight to get the same results!
Kimi Allen says
I rate this recipe a 5 star review because I think this looks good to have at Halloween Parties.
Julie Evink says
So do we Kimi!
Gina Huggins Sexton says
How many cups does this make? Using an 8 oz cup
Sarah Hill says
This should make about 8 servings and we used 6oz cups so just slightly less!
Mary says
Easiest recipe to make. Love it!
Lauren says
What size cups do you use?
Courtney says
Depends on how big you want them! I think 6 ounce cups work best.
Linda Landow says
Can I make the pudding and whipped topping ahead of time because I want make to layers first pudding mix than oreos then another layer of pudding then top with oreos. I want to make them for Easter and I’m afraid if I assemble then Saturday nite the cookie is get sogging.
Paula Carson says
Under Tips, she says: These can be made ahead but if you make them more than about 12 hours in advance you might want to wait to add the Oreos and gummy worms until you serve them. Oreos will get soggy and the gummy candy tends to harden when they are chilled.
Courtney says
Thank you!
Courtney says
Yes! That should be just fine!