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Starting with a boxed cake mix, these Dirt Cupcakes are a fun and easy recipe that kids and adults enjoy. Super easy, minimal time and effort, and so tasty.
So technically, you can throw these Dirt Cupcakes into the Halloween category, but these are one recipe that I love to make all year round. They are fun, flavorful, and just easy.
I love cake, and cupcakes are the mini version of cake, so obviously, who can really pass that up? I also love chocolate, even like chocolate overload, so these are my kind of cupcakes.
With a chocolate cupcake, chocolate cream cheese frosting, Oreo crumbs, and gummy worms, these are pretty much any kid’s dream or my dream as well!
Yeah, I never grew out of my sweet tooth. Don’t judge! I could gobble these cupcakes every day, haha.
They are super fun and are so much easier than they appear. We love making homemade buttercream for this recipe as it’s so silky and adds to the flavor.
You can also add whatever fun things you want to them. I’ve got some great ideas down below.
If you want a fun and easy recipe that you can make with your kids, then you absolutely need to carve out some time to make these Dirt Cupcakes.
Some of my other favorite cupcake recipes that we have on our site include: Banana Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting, Chocolate Chip Pancake Cupcakes and Pina Colada Cupcakes.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE DIRT CUPCAKES:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT IS THE BEST CAKE MIX TO USE?
- CAN I USE OTHER GUMMIES FOR THIS RECIPE?
- DO I HAVE TO MAKE MY OWN FROSTING?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Dirt Cupcakes Recipe with Gummy Worms
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Easy-to-find ingredients help these come together in no time.
- They make a large batch.
- You can freeze these for later use.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
- Milk chocolate chips
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Pure vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Oreos
- Gummy worms
HOW TO MAKE DIRT CUPCAKES:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two cupcake/muffin pans with paper liners, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the cake mix as per box instructions and make sure not to overmix. You can use milk or chocolate milk instead of water to make the cupcakes more flavorful.
- Spoon the cake batter into the liners, filling only ⅔ of the way full (about 3 tablespoons).
- Then place in the oven and bake as per box instructions, about 14-19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- When finished, let cool on a wire rack completely before frosting and decorating.
- To make the frosting, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Give it a stir with a spoon and place it back in the microwave for another 15 seconds if needed, stirring in between, until it is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it as it will dry out the chocolate. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl using a standing or handheld mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until creamy and there are no more lumps.
- Then add the melted chocolate and mix until it is well incorporated.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter.
- Then add the cocoa powder and mix again until it is fully incorporated and no longer powdery. Make sure to scrape down the sides and mix as needed.
- Add in the vanilla extract and give it one more mix. Set aside.
- To make Oreo topping, place Oreos into the food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. You can use the whole cookie, cream and all. If you don’t have a food processor, place in a zip lock bag and crush it with a rolling pin until you get crumbs. Place into a bowl and set aside.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, we can decorate! You can spoon the frosting on top or use a piping bag. I used a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 3M tip.
- Just dip each cupcake into the bowl of crushed Oreo crumbs or sprinkle one or two spoonfuls of Oreo dirt on top.
- Place a gummy worm on top of each. You can use whole worms or cut them in half and just stick the cut side into the frosting a bit so it sticks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT IS THE BEST CAKE MIX TO USE?
We like to use Chocolate Fudge for this recipe because of the flavor and texture, but you can use any of your favorite brand and flavor.
You can even make homemade if you’d like.
If you have a favorite recipe that you like to use, by all means, use it.
Just make sure that it makes enough for this recipe.
CAN I USE OTHER GUMMIES FOR THIS RECIPE?
While the gummy worms look great and go with the theme of this recipe, you can use your favorite gummy shape and flavors for this.
Just get creative, everything will taste amazing.
DO I HAVE TO MAKE MY OWN FROSTING?
No, if you want to save some time and effort, you can use canned chocolate frosting for this recipe.
We like to use homemade because of the flavor but canned will work as well as long as you have enough.
We do make chocolate cream cheese for this, but just regular chocolate will do.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Want to make these gummy worm Dirt Cupcakes even tastier and more fun for your next Halloween party or snack time?
Here are 10 awesome ideas to mix into the cupcake batter or sprinkle on top of this fun dessert—perfect for kids and kids of all ages:
- Cool Whip – Dollop some on top for a fluffy, creamy cloud—makes these chocolate cupcakes extra dreamy!
- Wiggly Gummy Worms – Add more type of gummy worms—wiggly, jiggly fun on every cupcake form!
- Oreo Cookie Crumbs – Sprinkle extra oreo cookies—more crunchy dirt dessert vibes!
- Chocolate Buttercream – Swirl some on—rich and chocolatey, a delicious chocolate cupcake upgrade!
- Marshmallows – Toss in tiny ones—gooey surprises in your dirt pudding cupcakes!
- Chocolate Cookies – Crumble more on top—double the cookie chaos for a big hit!
- Pudding Centers – Spoon a bit of instant pudding inside—creamy pudding centers in every bite!
- Sprinkles – Add colorful ones—makes it a fun treat party on the top of each cupcake!
- Whipped Cream – Pipe some heavy cream—light and fluffy like a dessert cloud!
- Candy Eyes – Stick them on—cute and spooky for your gummy worm dirt cupcakes!
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Need to tweak this chocolate cupcake recipe with what’s in your pantry or switch it up a bit?
Here are 6 tasty swaps to keep these dirt cups just as awesome:
- Sour Cream – Use this instead of oil in the wet ingredients—keeps the moist chocolate cupcake texture tangy!
- Plastic Bag – Crush oreo cookies in this instead of a food processor—same oreo cookie crumbs, less cleanup!
- Hand Mixer – Swap for a stand mixer—still creams that chocolate buttercream smooth!
- Vanilla Cake Mix – Use this instead of Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix—light and fun for a twist!
- Cool Whip – Sub for homemade heavy cream frosting—quick and fluffy for your fun dessert!
- Candy Worms – Replace gummy worms with other type of gummy worms—wiggly variety for your dirt dessert
HOW TO STORE:
These can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to 1 week.
They can also be frozen, place in a freezer container without the gummies, and they will keep for up to 3 months.
To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight until thawed.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use your favorite chocolate cake mix for this recipe.
- If you do not have a food processor, crush the Oreos in a bag with a rolling pin.
- You can make your own homemade frosting or use canned, just make sure it is enough.
- Switch up your gummies for a different look.
- This makes a large batch so make sure you use 2 pans and only fill 2/3 the way full.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
Love a good cupcake, chocolate, and fun?
Then these Dirt Cupcakes are exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Fun, tasty, and easy!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these DIRT CUPCAKES let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Dirt Cupcakes Recipe with Gummy Worms
Ingredients
- 1 box Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix plus ingredients needed to make on package: 3 eggs, 1 ¼ water OR milk, ½ cup vegetable oil
For the cream cheese frosting:
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips melted
- 1 stick ½ cup butter, softened (this can be salted or unsalted.. If unsalted, you can add an optional ⅛ tsp salt)
- 8 ounce full fat cream cheese block softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the toppings:
- 15 Oreos crushed
- 1-2 packs of your choice of gummy worms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two cupcake/muffin pans with paper liners, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the cake mix as per box instructions and make sure not to overmix. You can use milk or chocolate milk instead of water to make the cupcakes more flavorful.1 box Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
- Spoon the cake batter into the liners, filling only ⅔ of the way full (about 3 tablespoons).
- Then place in the oven and bake as per box instructions, about 14-19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- When finished, let cool on a wire rack completely before frosting and decorating.
- To make the frosting, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Give it a stir with a spoon and place it back in the microwave for another 15 seconds if needed, stirring in between, until it is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it as it will dry out the chocolate. Set aside.½ cup milk chocolate chips
- In a large mixing bowl using a standing or handheld mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until creamy and there are no more lumps.1 stick, 8 ounce full fat cream cheese block
- Then add the melted chocolate and mix until it is well incorporated.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter.2 cups powdered sugar
- Then add the cocoa powder and mix again until it is fully incorporated and no longer powdery. Make sure to scrape down the sides and mix as needed.½ cup cocoa powder
- Add in the vanilla extract and give it one more mix. Set aside.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- To make Oreo topping, place Oreos into the food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. You can use the whole cookie, cream and all. If you don’t have a food processor, place in a zip lock bag and crush it with a rolling pin until you get crumbs. Place into a bowl and set aside.15 Oreos
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, we can decorate! You can spoon the frosting on top or use a piping bag. I used a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 3M tip.
- Just dip each cupcake into the bowl of crushed Oreo crumbs or sprinkle one or two spoonfuls of Oreo dirt on top.
- Place a gummy worm on top of each. You can use whole worms or cut them in half and just stick the cut side into the frosting a bit so it sticks.1-2 packs of your choice of gummy worms
Notes
- Use your favorite chocolate cake mix for this recipe.
- If you do not have a food processor, crush the Oreos in a bag with a rolling pin.
- You can make your own homemade frosting or use canned, just make sure it is enough.
- Switch up your gummies for a different look.
- This makes a large batch so make sure you use 2 pans and only fill 2/3 the way full.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
Nutrition
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