Dirt Pudding

While an actual cup of dirt might not seem all that appealing, these dirt pudding cups make for whimsical desserts—as delicious as they are just plain fun.

Chocolate pudding and cookie crumbs become the "dirt," while candy-dipped strawberries become planted "carrots" in this garden-inspired single-serve treat. 

This fun sweet is great for people of all ages, but kids especially love it. Get them involved with the process, too: This recipe is super easy to make, and kids can help whisk the pudding, divide the cookie crumbs into the cups, dip the strawberries, and decorate each cup with gummy worms to their own taste and style. 

Dirt Pudding Ingredients

Start with a package of chocolate instant pudding and pie filling (like Jell-O) and a package of cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos).

You’ll also need unsweetened cocoa, instant espresso granules, whole milk, vanilla extract, unsalted butter, frozen whipped topping, orange candy melts, and fresh strawberries.

Optionally, you might choose to use gummy worms on top for more whimsy (and kid-friendliness).

How To Make Dirt Pudding

Whisk together the pudding mix, cocoa, and instant espresso. Then whisk in milk and vanilla until smooth and let stand until thickened.

Put the cookies in a food processor, and pulse until finely ground. Then drizzle in melted butter to combine.

After the pudding has thickened, fold in thawed whipped topping.

Add cookie crumbs to the bottom of each of 12 cups. Put a dollop of pudding on top. Layer with more cookie crumbs and pudding. Top with cookie crumbs. Then cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Meanwhile, melt the candy melts and dip each strawberry to the stem in melted candy, letting them harden on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining melted candy in a zig-zag pattern over strawberries to evoke the look of carrot skin. Let stand until set.

For serving, put a strawberry “carrot” into each cup. If you like, top with gummy worms to finish the look.

Dirt Pudding Recipe Tips

This dessert tastes better when chilled for at least 30 minutes, so make it ahead of time for the best results. It will keep well in the fridge for about three days—just be sure it’s covered tightly with plastic wrap to protect it from outside odors and flavors.

Note that candy melts work better than coloring white chocolate with food gel. They’re easier to work with, and the color is superior.

For the pudding, use chocolate-fudge flavor if you can find it; regular chocolate with a little extra cocoa powder does the trick, too.

What Does Dirt Pudding Taste Like?

This recipe is a playful explosion of textures: creamy, chocolatey pudding with crunchy cookie crumble. Alternating the pudding and cookie crumbs layers means that you can get both in every bite.

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.