Description
This Homemade Dirt Pudding recipe is a delightful and playful dessert that combines rich, creamy chocolate pudding with crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms, creating a look and taste reminiscent of dirt and worms. Perfect for parties or a fun treat, this recipe is made from scratch using simple ingredients like cocoa powder, milk, sugar, and cornstarch, and assembled in layered cups or a trifle dish. It’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead, giving time for the pudding to thicken and the flavors to meld, resulting in a smooth, luscious texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding Ingredients
- 1 and 1/3 cups (267g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup (40g) cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 and 1/2 cups (1,080ml) whole milk
- 3 Tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Toppings
- 24–30 Oreo cookies (about 1 standard package)
- 24 gummy worms
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan to ensure even mixing.
- Add Milk: Slowly pour in the whole milk while continuously whisking, creating a smooth mixture without lumps.
- Cook the Pudding: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Whisk occasionally; this will take about 10 minutes. Once bubbles form in the center, whisk constantly and let it boil for 1 minute until the pudding thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Finish the Pudding: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the softened butter and vanilla extract until fully incorporated for richness and flavor.
- Cool the Pudding: Pour the pudding into a heatproof bowl and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, then refrigerate for 1 hour. It will still be slightly thin for assembling.
- Prepare Oreo Crumbs: Place the Oreos in a food processor or blender and pulse until finely crushed into crumbs.
- Assemble the Dirt Pudding: In individual cups, a trifle bowl, or a 9-inch baking pan, start with a layer of a couple of tablespoons of Oreo crumbs. Spoon 1/4 cup of pudding on top, then repeat with another Oreo crumb layer, another 1/4 cup of pudding, and finish with a layer of Oreo crumbs. Top each serving with a few gummy worms nestled in the top cookie crumb layer.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled cups uncovered for an additional 3 hours to allow the pudding to fully set and the flavors to meld.
- Store Leftovers: Cover and store any leftover pudding cups in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- The pudding takes about 10 minutes to cook on the stove but requires additional chilling time to fully thicken.
- Ensure to place plastic wrap directly on the pudding surface to avoid skin formation while cooling.
- You can assemble this dessert in individual cups, a large trifle bowl, or a baking pan depending on the occasion.
- Crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms add texture and create the signature ‘dirt’ appearance.
- Use whole milk for the creamiest pudding texture. You can substitute with 2% milk but the texture may be slightly less rich.
- Do not rush the boiling process by turning up the heat; slow cooking ensures the pudding thickens properly without lumps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
