This post may contain affiliate links.

These Oreo Dirt Cups are fun treats kids of all ages seem to love!  The individual cups are filled with chocolate pudding and Oreo crumbs then topped with colorful gummy worms!!

An Oreo Dirt Cup in a clear plastic cup with colored gummy worms on top.

Growing up, the best part of celebrating a birthday was bringing treats to school for snack time!  The two treats I brought the most were Cupcake Cones (so nostalgic!) and these Dirt Cups, aka dirt and worms!

These dessert cups are a great way to get the kids in the kitchen!  They can help crush the cookies into fine crumbs, mix up the chocolate pudding layer and even press the gummy worms into the dessert.  They’ll have so much fun and will take pride in knowing they helped!

Ingredients needed to make Oreo Dirt Cups, including pudding mix, milk, whipped topping, Oreo cookies and gummy worms.

Ingredients Needed

  • Chocolate Sandwich Cookies – aka Oreos!  I use regular, but feel free to use different flavors such as Chocolate Oreo (chocolate filling), Peanut Butter Oreos, Chocolate Hazelnut, etc!
  • Milk – Any kind of milk will work (though whole milk will be the most creamy option!)
  • Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – You can try other flavors, too! (different flavor variations below!)
  • Whipped Topping (Cool Whip) – You can use regular or extra creamy.
  • Gummy Worms – Or gummy frogs, gummy dinosaurs, whatever you can find!
Overhead view of a dirt cup (dirt and worms) with gummy worms on top.

What Cups Should I Use for Dirt and Worms?

I like to use disposable 6-ounce or 9-ounce clear plastic cups.  You can also use small mason jars or other glasses you’ve got on hand!  (I like using clear glasses or cups so the layers of pudding and “dirt” show through!)

How to Make Dirt Cups

Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies in a white bowl.

Crush the Oreo Cookies

You can either place the cookies into a resealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or use a food processor.  Once the cookies are ready, set them aside.

Chocolate pudding and whipped topping getting mixed together in a clear bowl.

Make the Pudding Mixture

Whisk together the cold milk and both boxes of instant pudding mix in a large mixing bowl and let sit for 5 minutes.  Then, add the whipped topping and fold it in.

Laying dirt cups with pudding and Oreo crumbs.

​Layer It Up!

Add a scoop of the pudding mixture into the bottom of each cup (fill it about 1/3 full).  Then, add a heaping tablespoon of Oreo crumbs onto the pudding.  Repeat the pudding and the Oreo layer.  Finally, add gummy worms on top of the dirt cup!  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Different Flavor Variations

  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Dirt Cups – Use Chocolate Peanut Butter Oreos and add chopped up peanut butter cups (or Reeses Pieces for a crunch!) between each layer.
  • Vanilla Dirt Cups – Use Golden Oreos and white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix.
  • Easter Dirt Cups – Add some green-colored coconut on top and add a “Peep,” a chocolate bunny or a candy carrot on top!
  • Birthday Dirt Cups – Use the golden birthday (confetti) Oreos and vanilla pudding.  Add sprinkles on top and press a candle down the center!
Pudding Dirt Cup transformed into a Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cup with a "gravestone" on top.

How to make fun Halloween Dirt Cups!

I love how easily these cute dirt cups can transform into Halloween graveyard dirt cups!  There are a few different ways to decorate them…

  • Add some candy pumpkins onto the top layer of “dirt.”
  • Use melted chocolate or black icing to write “RIP” on wafer cookies or Milano cookies and press them into the dirt.
  • Top each with a ghost-shaped Peep.
Pudding Dirt Cup transformed into a Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cup with two "gravestones" on top.

Are Oreo Dirt Cups Gluten-Free?

They totally can be!!  Simply swap out the regular Oreos for gluten-free Oreos and you’re good to go!!

Can I make Dirt Cups ahead of time?

These are a great make-ahead dessert.  It’s nice having a dessert with individual portions that so you don’t have to worry about scooping up a dessert during a party!  The chocolate cookies will get softer over time, though, so keep that in mind.

How to Store Dirt Pudding Cups

These dessert cups need to be stored in the fridge.  If you have an airtight container that’s big enough, that works great.  If not, simply place them on a sheet pan (or a pan with edges) and cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating.  

A spoon grabbing a spoonful of the Oreo dirt cup filling.

Make them even EASIER!

Short on time? Here are a couple ways you can simplify the layered pudding cups.

  • Do one big layer of pudding and one of the Oreos. This will save time skipping that second layer.
  • Do one large layered dessert, by layering the Oreos and pudding mixture in a trifle dish.

Other Easy Dessert Ideas Kids LOVE

Oreo Dirt Cup with pudding and oreo crumbs and gummy worms on top.

Dirt Cups

Author: Kelsey
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
8 large dessert cups
These Oreo Dirt Cups are fun treats kids of all ages seem to love!  The individual cups are filled with chocolate pudding and Oreo crumbs then topped with colorful gummy worms!!

Ingredients
 

  • 16 chocolate sandwich cookies ie. Oreos
  • 4 cups cold milk
  • Two 3.4 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
  • One 8 ounce tub whipped topping thawed
  • 24 gummy worms

Instructions

  • Place the cookies in a large resealable baggie and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs. (You can use a food processor instead if you'd like). Set aside.
    16 chocolate sandwich cookies
  • Add the cold milk to a large mixing bowl. Dump the two boxes of pudding mix into the milk and whisk until smooth. Let set for 5 minutes to thicken.
    4 cups cold milk, Two 3.4 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
  • Fold in the whipped topping until well-combined.
    One 8 ounce tub whipped topping
  • Fill each of 8 plastic cups with about 1/3 cup of the pudding mixture.
  • Sprinkle 1 heaping tablespoon of crushed Oreos on top.
  • Repeat for a second layer, using up the remainder of the pudding mixture and crushed Oreos.
  • Decorate the top with gummy worms.
    24 gummy worms

Notes

You can make these several hours ahead of time.  However, if you wait to enjoy for a couple days, the Oreos will soften.  I recommend waiting until ready to enjoy to add the gummy worms as they’ll harden in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 562mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 1.1mg
“Dance Around the Kitchen” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

did you love this recipe?

Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on Pinterest for more!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating