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I’ve got a fun little dessert for you. It’s like a mini beach party in a cup! I’m talking about Sand Pudding, and they’re the summery centerpiece you need at your next gathering.
What the heck is Sand Pudding? Well, they’re made with simple ingredients—golden Oreos, pudding, and a few extra goodies. Basically smiles in a cup.
Think of a smooth pudding base topped with crumbly “sand” (crushed cookies) that makes you feel like you’re relaxing by the shore.
Even better, you can garnish with candy like Teddy Grahams or gummy fish to really sell the “beach scene” look.
I made these for a pool party last year and got all kinds of compliments. That’s always satisfying, haha! Especially when it only takes 15 minutes to throw them together.
I promise you, kids and adults both will find these pudding cups irresistible. Customize them as you will!
So, if you’re searching for a sweet treat that’s part dessert, part artwork, and part conversation starter, you’ve found the right recipe.
So get your golden oreo cookies, pudding mix, whipped cream (or cool whip), and let’s make some Sand Pudding!
Some of our other favorite PUDDING DESSERTS we have on our site include: Creamy Chocolate Rice Pudding Recipe, Banana Pudding Fluff Salad with Whipped Cream, and Caramel Apple Pudding Cups.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE SAND PUDDING:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- CAN I USE HOMEMADE PUDDING?
- CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Sand Pudding Cups
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Fun: You only need a few items from the store—golden Oreos, instant pudding, milk, and some candy—and voila, you get a dessert with a lot of wow factor.
- Kid-Friendly and Adult-Approved: It’s a perfect treat for both children and grown-ups.
- Ready in Minutes: Aside from a quick chill, these cups come together fast.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Golden Oreos
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Whole milk
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Gummi bears (for garnish)
- Teddy Grahams (for garnish)
- Gummi fish (for garnish)
- Cocktail umbrellas (for garnish)
HOW TO MAKE SAND PUDDING:
- Place the Oreos into a food processor and process until they form crumbs, set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form, do not overmix. Do this by hand or with an electric hand mixer, set aside.
- Place the milk and pudding mix into a large bowl. Stir to combine for 30 seconds. Whisk for 2 minutes until thickened.
- Add the whipped cream to the pudding mixture and gently fold it in until there are no streaks left.
- Lay out 9 9 ounce or similar sized cups or glasses onto your workstation. Place 2 tablespoons of the cookie crumbs into the bottom of each cup.
- Add just under ¼ cup of the pudding mixture on top of the crumbs. Repeat one more time.
- Add the remaining cookie crumbs evenly on top of each cup.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set up for at least 1 hour.
- Once you are ready to serve, garnish with gummi bears, Teddy Grahams, gummi fish, and cocktail umbrellas if using.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE HOMEMADE PUDDING?
Heck yeah!
If you have a go-to banana pudding or vanilla pudding recipe, just make sure it’s thick enough to hold layers of cookie crumbs without becoming soupy.
Then, follow the same layering process.
CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
Yes.
You can prep them the day before your event and store them in the fridge—just leave off any super-absorbent decorations (like cookies on top) until right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
If you’d like them extra chilled, pop them out and garnish them right before your guests arrive.
ANY ADDITIONS?
You better believe it. Desserts like this sand pudding recipe are always customizable.
- Crumbled graham crackers for extra “sand” effect or a blend of half graham crackers, half Oreos.
- Blue sprinkles on top for a sky or ocean vibe.
- A layer of banana pudding in the middle for a fruity surprise.
- Crushed candy like chocolate seashells or starfish-shaped candies.
- A swirl of blue food coloring in part of the pudding to resemble water.
- Shredded coconut, dyed green, to look like seaweed or grass at the “beach.”
- Mini beach towels made from fruit leather if you’re feeling extra crafty.
- Fruity pebbles or your favorite cereal sprinkled on top for color.
- Melting chocolate drizzled over the cookie crumbs for a swirl of sweetness.
- Mini umbrella or a mini shovel to really drive home the “beach” vibe.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Bring it on! Mix and match to your hearts content.
- Vanilla wafers or graham crackers in place of golden Oreos if you prefer a different crumb base.
- Cool whip instead of whipped heavy cream if you want to skip the beating step.
- Skim milk or almond milk if you’re okay with a slightly different consistency in the pudding.
- Dark Oreo cookies for a “chocolate sand” effect (though the color is less beach-like).
- Flavor extracts like coconut or almond in place of vanilla for a fun twist.
- Fresh fruit pieces layered in the pudding to add color and a healthy boost.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator
Cover each pudding sand cups with plastic wrap or keep them all in a large container.
They’re good for about 3-4 days in the fridge.
The cookies on top may get softer over time, but the overall dessert remains tasty.
Freezer
While you can freeze them, the texture of the pudding can become a bit grainy, and the cookies can turn soggy.
If you must freeze them, place them in an airtight container.
Thaw overnight in the fridge. The consistency won’t be quite the same as fresh, but they’ll still be edible.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use a Food Processor: It gives you that fine crumb for the “sand.” If you don’t have one, a rolling pin and a plastic bag also do the trick.
- Serve in Clear Cups: Transparent cups or plastic cups let everyone see those layers of pudding and cookie crumb “sand.”
- Overripe Bananas: If you want a hint of fruit, you could add slices of banana or even a layer of banana pudding in the middle.
- Don’t Overbeat the Cream: Keep an eye on the peaks. Whipping too long might give you sweet butter.
- Birthday Parties and Pool Parties: This dessert is a big hit at summer gatherings. Decorate with theme colors or additional props like blue sprinkles for water.
- Make a Large Sand Pail Version: If you’re serving a crowd, layer all the ingredients in a big sand pail (new and food-safe, of course!), and let everyone dig in with spoons.
Sand Pudding is a fun twist on typical pudding cups, turning them into a mini beach party treat.
Try them once, and you’ll see why they’re a family favorite easy dessert. Enjoy!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Sand Pudding Cups
Ingredients
- 14.3 ounce package golden Oreos
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- Gummi bears for garnish
- Teddy Grahams for garnish
- Gummi fish for garnish
- Cocktail umbrellas for garnish
Instructions
- Place the Oreos into a food processor and process until they form crumbs, set aside.14.3 ounce package golden Oreos
- In a medium-sized bowl whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form, do not overmix. Do this by hand or with an electric hand mixer, set aside.1 cup heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Place the milk and pudding mix into a large bowl. Stir to combine for 30 seconds. Whisk for 2 minutes until thickened.2 cups whole milk, 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- Add the whipped cream to the pudding mixture and gently fold it in until there are no streaks left.
- Lay out 9 9 ounce or similar sized cups or glasses onto your workstation. Place 2 tablespoons of the cookie crumbs into the bottom of each cup.
- Add just under ¼ cup of the pudding mixture on top of the crumbs. Repeat one more time.
- Add the remaining cookie crumbs evenly on top of each cup.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set up for at least 1 hour.
- Once you are ready to serve, garnish with gummi bears, Teddy Grahams, gummi fish, and cocktail umbrellas if using.Gummi bears for garnish, Teddy Grahams for garnish, Gummi fish for garnish, Cocktail umbrellas for garnish
Notes
- Use a food processor to get that fine crumb for the “sand.” If you don’t have one, a rolling pin and a plastic bag also do the trick.
- Use transparent cups or plastic cups to let everyone see those layers of pudding and cookie crumb “sand.”
- If you want a hint of fruit, you could add slices of banana or even a layer of banana pudding in the middle.
- Keep an eye on the peaks. Whipping too long might give you sweet butter.
- Decorate with theme colors or additional props like blue sprinkles for water.
- If you’re serving a crowd, layer all the ingredients in a big sand pail (new and food-safe, of course!), and let everyone dig in with spoons.
Nutrition
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You didn’t have whipped cream in the ingredient list
You make the whipped cream in step 2.