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–+ servings

Dirt Pudding

 Cost $4.16 recipe / $0.83 serving
5 from 1 vote
This Worms in Dirt Pudding recipe is a classic! Creamy chocolate pudding and cookie crumbs topped with gummy worms make an easy dessert kids can help make!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Author: Jennie Alley
Side view of a worms in dirt dessert pudding cup.
Servings 5 servings
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total 1 hour 25 minutes
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Ingredients

Chocolate Pudding

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g, $0.19)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (25g, $0.54)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (30g, $0.13)
  • ¼ tsp salt ($0.04)
  • 3 cups whole milk (24 oz., $0.89)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract ($0.65)

To Assemble

  • 12 chocolate sandwich cookies ($0.84*)
  • 15 gummy worms ($0.88)

Instructions 

  • Gather all your ingredients.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time until smooth and no lumps remain.
  • Place over medium heat and stir constantly. Cook 8-10 minutes until the mixture starts to bubble and visibly thickens. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes more to fully activate the cornstarch.**
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into a large bowl (or directly into serving cups). Cover with plastic wrap against pudding to prevent a skin from developing and chill for at least 1 hour or until cool and set.***
  • While pudding chills, crush cookies in a ziplock back using a rolling pin until they look like dirt.****
  • To assemble, spoon a layer of pudding in the cup, top with a layer of crushed cookies, repeat the process once more.
  • Garnish with gummy worms so they look like they’re crawling out of the “dirt.” Serve and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Large Bowl

Notes

*You can use Oreos, but store-brand chocolate sandwich cookies are more budget-friendly. They both make a delicious dirt layer!
**That extra simmer after bubbling ensures the cornstarch fully thickens your pudding for a silky texture.
***You can make the pudding up to 2 days ahead; just keep it chilled until ready to assemble.
****For easy cleanup, crush the cookies inside their original sleeve and then transfer to a bag for storage, if needed.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 10gFat: 11gSodium: 298mgFiber: 2g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
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