This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (2024)

  • Recipes by Occasion
  • Cooking for Kids
  • Desserts for Kids

By

Stephanie Gallagher

Stephanie Gallagher

Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 02/8/24

Tested by

Diana Rattray

This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (1)

Tested byDiana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Chill and Stand Time: 65 mins

Total: 80 mins

Servings: 10 servings

Yield: 5 cups

community badge

278 ratings

Write a Review

Add a comment

This dirt dessert recipe is a great cooking activity for kids, as there is no baking or heating necessary, it uses few ingredients, and each kid can customize their individual cup with as much or as little "dirt" (and gummy worms) as desired.

Made with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms, these pudding dirt cups are as fun for the kids to makeas they are tasty to eat. Try innovative presentations using ceramic plant pots, or check our variations for other fun ideas.

Serve this dirt dessert at Halloween parties, birthday celebrations, or kids' play dates. For larger groups, or for a different presentation, trydirt cakeinstead.

If you're looking for some additional deliciousOreo recipes, try anOreo milkshake.

This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (2)

What You'll Need To Make This Pudding Dirt Cups Recipe

A Handy Dandy Whisk
A Mixing Bowl
A Set Of Cups

"The dessert cups were super easy to prepare, and they were delicious. I used about 16 sandwich cookies to make 1 1/2 cups, and you could always use more if you’d like a deeper layer on top or extra for the filling. The individual cups are a great idea for parties!" —Diana Rattray

This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (6)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cold milk

  • 1 (3.9-ounce) package instant chocolate pudding (4 serving size)

  • 8 ouncesfrozen whipped topping, thawed

  • 1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (about 16), divided

  • 20 gummy worms

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (7)

  2. Whisk together milk and instant pudding for 2minutes, until pudding is completely dissolved. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken.

    This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (8)

  3. Stir in frozen whipped topping and 1/2 cup of crushed cookies.

    This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (9)

  4. Spoon into 10 individual cups.

    This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (10)

  5. Sprinkle remaining crushed cookies over pudding mixture. Top each cup with 2 gummy worms. Chill for at least 60 minutes or until ready to serve.

    This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (11)

How to Store

Keep your cups chilled until serving time. If you have leftover cups, cover them with plastic wrap and eat within two to three days. The cookies will get soggy, but the flavor will still be delicious. Add freshly crushed cookies to bring back some crunch.

Other Fun Ideas and Flavors

You can make your own "dirt" or "sand" cups using other types of cookies and puddings. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Sandy Beach: Use crushed golden Oreos or graham crackers and vanilla pudding. Decorate with little gummy bears "sunbathing" under co*cktail umbrellas.
  • Dirty Rainbow: Use food coloring to color vanilla pudding in the colors of your choice. Alternate layers of different colored pudding and crushed cookie "sand." Decorate with colorful gummy drops.
  • Romantic Red Velvet: Use crushed Red Velvet Oreos and vanilla pudding to make individual cups. Mix chopped maraschino cherries onto the whipped topping. Decorate with crushed cookies and red gummy hearts.
  • Dirty Espresso Tiramisu: For an adult version, soak the Oreos in 1 cup of espresso coffee and a shot of whiskey. Use vanilla pudding and make layers in individual cups. Decorate with chocolate-covered coffee beans and unsoaked Oreo "dirt."
  • Parfait-Style Dirt Dessert Cups: Instead of adding cookie crumbs to the pudding mixture, prepare the dessert cups with layers of crumbs between pudding layers.

Are Gummy Worms Vegan or Vegetarian-Friendly?

Mist gummy worms and other gummies are made with the addition of gelatin, which is made from the cartilage, hooves, or skin of pigs or other animals, so they are not kosher, vegan, vegetarian, or halal. Look for gummy candies labeled vegan or vegetarian.

No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake

  • Desserts for Kids
  • Cooking for Kids
  • Desserts
  • American Food
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
285Calories
11g Fat
45g Carbs
3g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories285
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g14%
Saturated Fat 7g34%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 143mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 45g16%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg1%
Calcium 76mg6%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 136mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • pudding
  • chocolate pudding
  • chocolate cookie
  • dirt cups

Rate This Recipe

I don't like this at all.It's not the worst.Sure, this will do.I'm a fan—would recommend.Amazing! I love it!Thanks for your rating!

This Dirt Cup Dessert Recipe Is Great for Kids (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5436

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.