This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
About This Recipe
This easy dessert is just so much fun! A classic dessert great for birthday parties, family reunions, holidays or just a way to brighten your week.
This recipe is made with layers of chocolate pudding, crumbled oreo cookies and topped with festive gummy worms! You can totally change out the flavors and decorations for any specific theme or event.
I’ve lightened this recipe up a bit using sugar-free pudding mix and lite cool whip. I also skipped the cream cheese found in a lot of traditional recipes since I personally like the light and fluffiness of the pudding layer without it (but feel free to add it in if you prefer). You can also get an extra kick of protein in there using a high protein milk like Fairlife (but any milk works just fine!).
These individual dirt cake cups are great for events since they’re made into individual servings. However, I’ve also written out my suggestions for how to make and store if you just want to enjoy this recipe for your weekly meal prep dessert!
And if you have some extra oreos laying around after you make this recipe, I highly recommend trying my my oreo fluff, no bake oreo pie or these delicious oreo cookie dough bites!
Why You’ll Love These Oreo Dirt Cups
- Layers of creamy pudding and oreo cookie crumbs combine for the ultimate dessert duo!
- These individual cups are great for birthday parties, holidays, school events and more!
- Customizable for different themes and events!
- Lightened up from classic dirt cake recipes.
- Quick and easy to make! A great make-ahead dessert!
- Oreos: I buy regular Oreos and crush them into crumbs. However, you can buy the pre-crushed Oreo crumbs if you want to save time.
- Milk: any milk of choice works! I used fat free Fairlife milk (for extra protein) but any dairy or non-dairy milk works
- Pudding mix: I used sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix (not the bake and serve kind). This recipe is traditionally made with chocolate pudding to get the appearance of “dirt” but you can use any flavor of pudding you prefer.
- Lite whipped topping: the frozen kind found in the freezer section, not whipped cream out of a can. You wan the thick and creamy texture of cool whip to get the right pudding texture. Make sure whipped topping is thawed. I recommend putting in the fridge the night before.
- Gummy worms: these are obviously a fun addition to make the pudding look like worms are crawling in the dirt, however, they’re totally optional and you can omit them or sub for another candy you prefer.
- Optional: add any other toppers (like plastic shovels or candy pumpkins) to make these cups festive!
- Pudding flavor: switch up these cups and make the use your favorite flavor of pudding like vanilla, white chocolate, french vanilla pudding, pistachio, etc.
- Oreo: there are so many fun flavors of Oreos these days. Feel free to use any flavor that sounds good! I highly recommend trying the golden oreos if you want to use an instant vanilla pudding mix instead of chocolate.
- Dairy-free: make these dirt dessert cups dairy-free by using dairy-free pudding mix, dairy-free milk and dairy-free whipped topping like Truwhip.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. Place them in a large ziplock bag and use a rolling pin (or pulse in a food processor).
2. Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk together in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
3. Fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding with a spatula.
4. Gather 8 (8-oz.) cups. Add about 1/3 cup pudding to each (using about 1/3 of the total pudding here). Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of crushed Oreos on top of the pudding.
5. Repeat with a second layer of pudding (using the rest of the pudding here), then topping with the rest of the crushed Oreos.
6. Place the gummy worms on top plus any other decorations. Best if served cold so ideally let it chill in the fridge for a few hours first!
Store leftover pudding cups covered in the fridge. These dirt cake cups will hold up well for a day or so but after that the oreos will start to get soggy.
If you’re making this oreo dirt cake recipe for meal prep dessert or just to enjoy throughout the week, I recommend storing the ingredients separately. Go ahead and mix the pudding ingredients together then add to an airtight container and store in the fridge. When ready to enjoy, you can add the pudding and oreo crumbs to a cup or bowl and enjoy. This way you can enjoy all week without the oreo crumbs getting soggy.
Different Themes For Pudding Cups
- Fall harvest: candy corns and mini marshmallows.
- Sandy beach: use golden Oreos to create sand and decorate with little umbrellas.
- Construction zone: toy tractors and safety cones.
- Dinosaur: small toy dinosaurs and candy eggs.
- Easter: bunny Peeps, candy eggs, pastel M&M’s, and/or sprinkles.
- Flower garden: add little flowers and mini watering cans.
- Winter wonderland: shredded coconut for snow and edible glitter.
What type of pudding should I use for this oreo dirt dessert recipe?
Make sure to use instant pudding mix for this recipe. Do not use the cook and serve kind.
Can I use a different flavor of pudding besides chocolate?
Yes, you can use any flavor of pudding and cookies you prefer. I just used a chocolate pudding mixture and oreos for the “dirt” look but any combination of pudding mix and cookies will work great! See some of my ideas above for different theme/combination ideas.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, this is a great recipe to make in advance as I think the pudding taste best chilled. However, I wouldn’t make this recipe more than 1 day in advance or the oreo crumbs will start to get soggy. If you need to prep further in advance, you can go ahead and make the pudding recipe and store separately until ready to assemble to keep the layer of oreos crisp.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Oreo Dirt Cake Cups (Dirt Pudding)
Ingredients
- 16 Oreos
- 4 cups/32 oz. fat free milk cold, I used Fairlife
- 2 1.4 oz. boxes sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
- 8 oz. lite whipped topping thawed
- 24 gummy worms
- Optional: any other toppers like plastic shovels or candy pumpkins
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.
Instructions
- Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. Place them in a large ziplock bag and use a rolling pin (or pulse in a food processor).
- Whisk the pudding mix and milk together in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding with a spatula.
- Gather 8 (8-oz.) cups. Add about 1/3 cup pudding to each (using about 1/3 of the total pudding here). Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of crushed Oreos on top.
- Repeat with a second layer of pudding (using the rest of the pudding here), then topping with the rest of the crushed Oreos.
- Place the gummy worms on top plus any other decorations.
- Best if served cold so ideally let it chill in the fridge for a few hours first!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
