Our simple six step process and detailed step-by-step photos will help you assemble the best dirt cake cups to share with your family and friends! We’ve tried different puddings and amounts of sandwich cookies while testing this recipe to perfect the ingredient ratios for our dirt and worms dessert.
Dirt pudding cups are a nostalgic treat, and one of those no bake dessert recipes that delights both kids and adults. We’ve been enjoying this treat during the hot Midwestern summers since childhood and decided it was time to perfect the recipe! Plus, any dessert made with cool whip is a Midwest staple that’s worth making (have you tried our Oreo fluff and pumpkin pie dip recipes?).
Why you’ll love these Dirt Cups
Nostalgic, No Bake Treat. Who else remembers enjoying these as a kid?! This classic no bake dessert is fun for kids and adults alike (just ask the group of 30-somethings who were giddy when I brought these to a party).
Just 5 Simple and Easy to Find Ingredients! Just five things needed? And everything for this recipe is easy to find at your local grocery store, Target, or Walmart? Score! Sign me up!
Easy to Follow Directions and Step-by-Step Photos. Our detailed instructions help make sure this dessert is a success when you make it.
Ingredients Needed For Dirt Cups
● Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (ie – Oreo Cookies). These are a must for dirt cake because this is what becomes our “dirt”!
● Milk of Choice (I use skim or 2% dairy milk). Milk is needed to make our pudding.
● Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix. Be sure to get instant pudding! This allows you to simply whisk the pudding mixture with cold milk to set up – no cooking needed. If you accidently got cook and serve pudding, follow the directions on the back of the box. It’ll just take a bit longer than our recipe notes. I’ve used regular chocolate, chocolate chocolate, and chocolate fudge varieties of instant pudding in these easy dessert cups and they all taste great!
● Frozen Whipped Topping (ie – Cool Whip), thawed. This adds volume, airiness, and sweetness to our pudding layer. Using pre-made whipped topping also keeps things easy and minimizes the steps needed to make our dessert.
● Gummy Worms. You can’t have a dirt and worms dessert without the gummy worms! For best results you’ll want a regular gummy worm (this isn’t the best use for the sugar-coated sour gummies).
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Dirt Pudding Cups
Step 1: Place 10, 9oz clear plastic cups on a cookie sheet (or in a 9×13 pan, or on a serving tray) and set aside.
Step 2: Crush the Oreos in a food processor (or by hand), and set aside.
Step 3: Add the cold milk and instant chocolate pudding to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.
Step 4: Allow the pudding to rest for about 5 minutes to thicken.
Step 5: Add the thawed whipped topping to the bowl with the chocolate pudding.
Step 6: Fold the whipped topping into the pudding until well combined.
Step 7: Add two spoonfuls of pudding into each cup.
Step 8: Place two spoonfuls of crushed cookie “dirt” on top of the pudding layer.
Step 9: Repeat with a second layer or pudding.
Step 10: Top with another layer of “dirt”.
Step 11: Add 3 (or more if desired!) gummy worms on top of each cup, then chill until ready to serve.
Our Secret for Easy Assembly and Transport
We like to set our cups up on a baking sheet (or in a 9×13 pan) to create an assembly line that’s easy to get in and out of the fridge! Having your dirt cups on a tray of some sort also makes for easy transport to parties if you’re not the host!
Can You Make Dirt Pudding Cups in Advance?
Yes! You can fully assemble individual dirt cake cups about 12 hours in advance for the best results.
If you want to make them more than 12 hours in advance, you can make the pudding and crush the cookies, but store them separately (this helps to prevent the Oreo pieces from taking on too much moisture and getting soggy). If you’d like to get your cups prepped, I would recommend doing one layer of pudding (instead of doing two as noted on the recipe card and shown in the photos) and divide them between your cups and place them on a baking sheet for into a 9×13 in your fridge for easy handling. On the day the dessert is being served, top with the “dirt” and “worms”.
Easy Dirt Cake Recipe Variations
Halloween dirt cups are a fun twist on the classic. My favorite version of these are “graveyard dirt cups” that simply add in a Milano cookie with RIP written on it with chocolate frosting to each cup. Otherwise, these Oreo dirt cake cups are prepared and assembled the same way as noted in the recipe card.
Easter dirt cups are a cute option for spring! Instead of gummy worms, top your dessert cups with a Peeps marshmallow bunny, jelly beans, and pastel sprinkles. Take it to the next level by tossing some shredded coconut in a few drops of green food coloring to make Easter “grass” too!
Dirt Cup Storage Instructions
Pudding dirt cups can be stored in an airtight container (or covered with plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Dirt Cup Recipe FAQs
Yes, but you should only do this if you’re enjoying your treats the same day. Homemade whipped cream is a delicious choice for this recipe but tends to deflate easier than cool whip does. So if you’re planning to prep your pudding cups in advance, thawed cool whip is the way to go.
9oz clear plastic cups are the standard size cups used for this dessert (this is the typical size you can find online and at party stores). But you can use a variety of sizes and cups or jars for this dessert. For a smaller sized treat (great for littler kiddos), 4oz mason jars or cups would be a great options too.
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Dirt Cake Cups
Ingredients
- 20 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreo cookies)
- 1 , 3.9 ounce box of instant chocolate pudding
- 2 Cups milk (skim or 2% recommended)
- 1 , 8 ounce container of frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
- 30 gummy worms
Instructions
- Place 10, 9oz clear plastic cups on a cookie sheet (or in a 9×13 pan, or on a serving tray) and set aside.
- Crush the Oreos in a food processor (or by hand), and set aside.
- Add the cold milk to a medium mixing bowl and sprinkle the instant chocolate pudding over it. Whisk until well combined and then allow it to rest for about 5 minutes to thicken.
- Fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding until well combined.
- Add two spoonfuls of pudding into each cup. Place two spoonfuls of crushed cookie "dirt" on top of the pudding layer. Repeat with a second layer or pudding, and then a second layer of "dirt".
- Add 3 (or more if desired!) gummy worms on top of each cup, then chill until ready to serve.
Amanda says
Dirt cups?! These should be dirt mugs because they’re so good that you want more than just a cup 🙂
Meredith says
yaaaaaas. i’m making mug-sized next time now!
Laura says
This was an easy and delicious recipe that everyone loved – thanks! Will be making it again.
Meredith says
so glad to hear everyone enjoyed them, thanks Laura!
David says
These were so easy to make. Make sure to get the ‘chocolate fudge’ pudding flavor too. Makes it extra chocolatey!
Meredith says
so glad to hear you enjoyed these, and great tip on the extra chocolate!!
Jenny Benjamin says
Delicious! Kids LOVED it. And I did too.
Meredith says
So happy to hear you and the kiddos loved these dirt cake cups too!
Matt says
These dirt cups are so scrumptious to “dig” into. You could even say they’re mud-nificent 😉
Meredith says
10-points for a pun-tastic review! Glad you enjoyed these Matt!
Marge says
These were a hit with our family and friends, thanks!!
Meredith says
So happy to hear they loved them! Thanks for making our recipe!
Meredith says
The best no bake treat, any time of year!!