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Dirt Cups are the ultimate fun, no-bake dessert, with layers of crushed Oreos and rich chocolate pudding topped with wiggly gummy worms. They look just like little cups of dirt, which makes them a guaranteed hit with kids. If you love easy no-bake treats like our frozen dirt cake bars and creamy pistachio pudding, you will make these on repeat.
Layered with cookie crumbs, creamy chocolate pudding, and gummy worms, these dirt cups are the easiest no-bake dessert for kids and adults alike, right up there with our lemon blueberry trifle.
Dirt Cups Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No bake
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (with chilling)
- 🍽️ Serving: 9 cups
- ⚡ Calories: About 360 per cup
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Chocolatey, creamy, and sweet
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy
Quick Answer
Dirt cups are made by layering crushed Oreo cookies with a creamy chocolate pudding mixture, then topping them with gummy worms so they look like little cups of dirt. The pudding is lightened with homemade whipped cream, much like the filling in our pistachio pudding. They take just 15 minutes to assemble.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- No baking required. Everything comes together with a food processor, a mixer, and a bowl, so there is no oven needed.
- Whipped cream makes it fluffy. Folding fresh whipped cream into the pudding gives the filling a light, mousse-like texture.
- Single-serve and portable. Layering them in individual cups makes serving easy and mess-free, perfect for parties.
- Kids love them. The gummy worms and crushed-cookie dirt make these a playful dessert kids can help build.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A no-bake dessert that takes just 15 minutes to assemble.
- Only a handful of simple, kid-friendly ingredients.
- Perfect single servings for parties and potlucks.
- Fun for kids to help make, like our mini cheesecakes.
- Rich, creamy chocolate pudding in every bite.
- A single-serve spin on a classic, just like our Oreo dirt cake.
Key Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make these dirt cups. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Oreos: crushed into crumbs to make the cookie dirt layers.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: the rich, chocolatey base of the filling.
- Whole milk: whisked with the pudding mix to set it.
- Heavy whipping cream: whipped and folded in for a light, fluffy texture.
- Powdered sugar: sweetens the whipped cream.
- Vanilla extract: adds warm flavor to the whipped cream.
- Gummy worms: the classic, fun garnish that makes them look like dirt.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
These dirt cups are easy to dress up for any occasion.
- Add candy: mix in chopped chocolate covered Oreos or candy rocks for extra crunch.
- Use a different cookie: Golden Oreos or chocolate graham crackers work too.
- Make it spooky: turn these into graveyard dirt cups for Halloween with cookie tombstones.
- Try another pudding flavor: swap in cookies and cream or vanilla, or layer like our trifle.
- Make it a big dessert: layer everything in a trifle bowl like our Oreo dirt cake.
How to Make Dirt Cups
- Pulse the Oreos in a food processor until they become fine crumbs.
- Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
- Whisk the milk and chocolate pudding mix together until thickened.
- Fold the whipped cream into the pudding until no streaks remain.
- Layer cookie crumbs and pudding in each cup, repeating, then top with more crumbs.
- Chill for 1 hour, then garnish with gummy worms and serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Do not overmix the pudding. Fold gently so the whipped cream stays light and airy.
- Use fine crumbs. A food processor gives the best dirt-like texture.
- Chill before serving. An hour in the fridge lets the pudding set up perfectly.
- Save some crumbs. Reserve a little cookie dirt to sprinkle on top, or save them for our Oreo brownies.
- Add worms last. Garnish with gummy worms just before serving so they stay firm.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
These dirt cups are made for fun, hands-on serving at any gathering.
Serve them straight from the fridge so the pudding stays cold and set. They are perfect for birthday parties and cookouts next to mini cheesecakes, brookie Oreo bars, and Rolo pretzels.
For more easy chocolate desserts, try our frozen dirt cake bars, cookie dough ice cream, chocolate covered Oreos, or no-bake Nestle crunch bars.
Dirt Cups FAQs
Yes. Assemble them up to a day in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the gummy worms right before serving so they do not get sticky.
Instant chocolate pudding mix is quickest and sets reliably, but you can use any chocolate pudding you like. Folding in whipped cream is the key to a fluffy filling, just like our pistachio pudding.
Yes. You can fold in thawed whipped topping instead of homemade whipped cream to save time, though homemade gives the best flavor and texture.
Stored covered in the refrigerator, dirt cups keep well for up to 3 days. The cookie crumbs will soften slightly over time but still taste delicious.
Absolutely. Layer the crumbs and pudding in a large dish for a shareable dirt cake, or try our Oreo dirt cake recipe.
They are perfect for parties. The single-serve cups are easy to hand out and can be made ahead, just like our mini cheesecakes.
Easy, playful, and impossible to resist, these dirt cups are the kind of no-bake treat the whole family will ask for again, right alongside our chocolate dipped shortbread cookies.
If you love creamy pudding desserts, our cream puff cake is a must-make.
Round out the Halloween menu with our easy mummy dogs.
This mint chocolate cheesecake is cool, creamy, and studded with chocolate chips on a crisp Oreo crust.
Graham crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate make our smores ice cream irresistible.
Easy Dirt Cups
Ingredients
- 14.3 ounce package of regular Oreos
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3.9 ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- Gummi worms for garnish
Instructions
- Place the Oreos in a food processor and process until they become crumbs, set aside.14.3 ounce package of regular Oreos
- Place the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip with an electric hand mixer to stiff peaks, do not overmix. Set aside.2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and chocolate pudding mix for 2 minutes until thickened.2 cups whole milk, 3.9 ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- Add the whipped cream to the pudding and fold it in until there are no streaks.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Place 9 9 ounce or similar size disposable cups or glass jars on your work surface.
- Place 2 tablespoons of the cookie crumbs on the bottom. Add just under ¼ cup of the pudding mixture on top of the cookie crumbs. Repeat 1 more time, then top them all off with the remaining cookie crumbs.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
- Garnish with gummi worms and serveGummi worms for garnish
Notes
- Use a food processor to crush the Oreos into fine crumbs fast—no mess.
- No food processor? Put the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Whip the cream until it holds peaks but don’t overmix—it can turn into butter!
- Layer gently so the pudding and cookies don’t mix together too much.
- Use clear cups so you can see the pretty layers—it adds to the fun!
- Make smaller servings if you’re feeding a group of younger kids—this recipe easily stretches to 18 individual cups.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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These were so much fun to make and tasted delicious.