Description
Whip up easy Graveyard Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cups! Layers of rich chocolate, crushed cookies, and spooky gummy worms. A fun Halloween treat for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Pudding & Crumbs:
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 2 (3.9 oz) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 1 (14.3 oz) package Oreo cookies (or similar chocolate sandwich cookies)
- Fun Graveyard Toppings:
- 1 package gummy worms
- 8–10 Milano cookies or Pirouette cookies (for tombstones)
- Green food coloring (optional, for ‘moss’ or ‘grass’)
Instructions
- Crush Your “Dirt”:: First things first, we need our dirt! Grab those Oreo cookies and either toss them into a food processor for a quick blitz or, my preferred method, put them in a sturdy Ziploc bag and bash them with a rolling pin. You want them crushed pretty fine, but with a few little chunks still in there for texture. It should look like fresh, dark soil, ready for some spooky inhabitants. Set these aside; resist the urge to snack all of them.
- Whip Up the Pudding Base:: Okay, time for the chocolate magic! In a big mixing bowl, combine your cold milk and instant chocolate pudding mix. Whisk it vigorously for about 2 minutes until it starts to thicken up. This is where I always get impatient and stop too soon, so keep whisking! You’ll feel it getting denser. Let it sit for a few minutes, maybe 5, to really firm up. Don’t worry if it seems a bit too firm; we’re about to lighten it.
- Fold in the Fluff:: Once your pudding is good and thick, gently fold in the whipped topping. This is key for that lovely, light, almost mousse-like texture that makes these Graveyard Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cups so irresistible. Use a spatula and fold it in until it’s just combined, no streaks. Don’t overmix, or you’ll lose all that wonderful airiness. It should look like a pale, fluffy chocolate cloud.
- Layer the Graveyard:: Now for the fun part: assembly! Grab your individual serving cups or a clear trifle dish. Start with a layer of your crushed Oreo “dirt” at the bottom – maybe a tablespoon or two. Next, spoon in a generous layer of your chocolate pudding mixture. I usually aim for about an inch thick. This is where you can get a little messy; it adds to the charm, honestly!
- Build Your Layers:: Continue layering your Graveyard Chocolate Pudding Dirt Cups. Add another sprinkle of crushed Oreos over the pudding, then another layer of pudding. Repeat this until your cups are nearly full, ending with a nice, thick layer of Oreo “dirt” on top. This final layer is crucial for making it look like a freshly dug grave site, ready for its spooky inhabitants.
- Decorate Your Spooky Scene:: Time to bring your graveyard to life! Stick a Milano cookie (or your chosen “tombstone”) upright into the top layer of Oreo dirt in each cup. Then, artfully arrange a few gummy worms so they look like they’re crawling out of the dirt. You can even write “RIP” on the tombstones with an edible marker if you’re feeling fancy. Chill these beauties for at least 30 minutes before serving to let everything set and get nice and cold.