Dirt Cupcakes Recipe with Gummy Worms

Close up of one of the finished Dirt Cupcakes showing the gummy worms.

Starting with a boxed cake mix, these Dirt Cupcakes are a fun and easy recipe that kid and adults enjoy. Super easy, minimal time and effort and so tasty.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Dirt Cupcakes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 219kcal

Author Dana DeVolk

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