I enjoy simple Oreo desserts, and these Pumpkin Dirt Cups nail the flavor and presentation. Plus, they are so fun to make! I combine crushed Oreos and cream cheese for the center of the candy-coated pumpkins and layer the chocolate pudding and more Oreos as the dirt. Just add the decorations, and you have an adorable dessert to share.
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These pudding dirt cups are for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and just for the fall theme! I've made them in the past for parties and other fun events, and they're always a hit. It's a super simple pumpkin patch dessert that anyone can make. You don't even have to be an experienced baker or cook to make them.
If you enjoy chocolate dirt desserts, you should try dirt cake cookies and Oreo dirt pie.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a no-bake dessert: This is an easy and yummy treat that doesn't need the oven or any sort of cooking. It's so amazing when you can prepare adorable desserts without putting in a lot of work.
- It's great to make ahead: I love preparing these pumpkin patch dirt cups in advance. Some of the steps require chilling in between, so it's perfect.
- It's perfect for a party: if you want a shareable autumn treat, this is one you need to try. It's wonderful for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any time during the fall, as it's a hit at parties.
Ingredients
Here is everything important you'll need for this Halloween dirt cups recipe. The decorations are important because you want them to look like a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.
- Oreos: I use crushed Oreos for the pumpkin truffles and then some to layer as dirt between the pudding layers. I use a food processor, but a rolling pin with a Ziploc bag will do the trick. I recommend original Oreos, so there's not too much filling.
- Decorations: To copy this recipe, you'll need orange candy melts, gummy works, green sprinkles, green M&Ms, and pretzel sticks. These are for the pumpkin and to simulate a pumpkin patch.
- Chocolate pudding: I prepare the chocolate pudding mix with milk and then let it set before layering the dessert. You can use a sugar-free version or prepackaged chocolate pudding as well.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Golden Oreo pumpkins: Swap the Oreos used in the truffle with golden Oreos for a vanilla flavor.
- Caramel: Try caramel pudding instead for a different flavor profile, but still a color that resembles the ground.
- Pumpkin spice: Add pumpkin pie spice to the truffle mixture to add some fall flavors.
How to Make Pumpkin Dirt Cups
Below are the steps to make this dessert, so you can enjoy a tasty and spooky dirt cup on Halloween! Ensure your Oreos are crushed in a food processor and the cream cheese is softened before you begin.
Step 1: Prepare the truffle mixture. Combine the crushed Oreos and cream cheese in a mixing bowl until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Form the balls. Divide and roll the mixture into 2-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Then, place them in the fridge for about an hour to firm up.
Step 3: Dip the Oreo balls. Melt the orange candy melts until smooth. Use a fork to dip each Oreo ball, then tap the side of the bowl to let the excess drip off.
Step 4: Make the pumpkins. Next, put them back on the pan and stick a half a pretzel stick and half an M&M in the top of each one.
Step 5: Layer the pudding, crumbs, and gummies. Layer the chocolate pudding with the Oreo crumbs and place gummy worms in between each layer.
Step 6: Add the pumpkin and decorate. Place one pumpkin on top of each cup and scatter green sprinkles around it, and they're ready.
Recipe Tips
- Allow everything enough time to set: Allow the Oreo balls plenty of time to set so they don't fall apart when you dip them. They should spend time in the fridge to set the coating as well.
- Only freeze the Oreo balls: If you want to freeze any part of this recipe, I recommend just the Oreo balls. The condensation from thawing them will mess with the texture of the candy coating, and the pudding will become watery.
- Storing: Keep the cups tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the Oreo truffles up to 1 day in advance and then finish the decorating process.
I love these cute little pumpkins, and this recipe for mini pumpkin pie pops gives you some more pumpkin-shaped pastries or try these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars!
Serving Suggestions
- Make a hot cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer to enjoy with these Halloween dirt cake cups.
- If you love pudding cup desserts, try making these banana pudding cups as well to serve at your next party.
- Another yummy Oreo truffle to try (and that you can serve with these) is Oreo mint balls. These cookie dough stuffed Oreos go great for a special occasion, too.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Layer the pudding on the bottom, with gummy worms and Oreo dirt on top. Finish it with scattered truffles to create a larger pumpkin dirt cake.
Of course! Just ensure it is cooled and set before you use it in the pumpkin patch pudding cups.
More Delicious Fall Recipes
Do you like fall recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Pumpkin Dirt Cups
Equipment
- Food Processor (If you don't have a food processor, you can put the Oreos into a gallon-sized resealable bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the cookies into crumbs.
- Mixing bowls You'll need one larger bowl to mix the cream cheese and Oreos, and a smaller bowl for the candy melts.
- Rubber spatula-I find that this is the easiest utensil to combine the cookie crumbs and cream cheese.
- Nonstick surface-I use a cutting board or a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Toothpicks-This is for making the grooves of the pumpkins, but you could use a fork in a pinch.
- Fork-Use this to lower the Oreo balls into the orange candy melts.
- 5.5-6 ounce clear snack cups -If you don't have these, you could use 8 -ounce cups (but it will make less), jars, or small plastic drinking cups. You just want them to be clear so you can see the layers.
Ingredients
- 2 18-ounce family-size packages of Oreos, divided
- 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups orange candy melts
- ¼ cup pretzel sticks cut in half
- ¼ cup green M&Ms cut in half
- 2 cups chocolate pudding prepared
- 1 cup gummy worms
- 3 Tablespoons green sprinkles
Instructions
- Pulverize the Oreos.
- In a food processor, pulverize one package of Oreos for about 1 minute until they are a sandy texture. Combine with soft cream cheese.
- In a large bowl, use a rubber spatula to combine the pulverized Oreos with the cream cheese until well mixed and a dough-like consistency. If the cream cheese got too soft, and it isn't a dough consistency anymore, you can pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes until it's firm enough to hold a shape.
- Roll into balls. Roll the Oreo cream cheese mix into 2-inch smooth balls and place them on a flat nonstick surface like a cutting board or parchment paper.
- Optional - Create the pumpkin grooves.
- Once all the balls are rolled, use a toothpick to press vertical lines into the balls representing the grooves on the pumpkins. Place them in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Coat in candy melts.
- In a small bowl, melt the orange candy melts according to the package instructions. Once melted, remove the Oreo balls from the fridge. Use a fork to transfer one of the balls into the candy melts, rolling it around so it becomes evenly coated. Allow the excess to drip off and return it to the non-stick surface.
- Add the stem and leaf.
- Immediately place a half pretzel stick in the top to form a pumpkin stem and a half M&M (chocolate flat side down) next to the stem to make a pumpkin leaf. Repeat for all the pumpkins, and set aside in your fridge to set and harden while you make the pudding cups.
- Pulverize another package of Oreos.
- In a food processor, pulverize the second package of Oreos until they're the texture of sand and place them in a bowl. Add a few spoonfuls to each cup and add a worm on top. Have your pudding handy and add a few spoonfuls on top of each gummy worm.
- Layer the Oreos and pudding.
- In 5.5-6 ounce clear snack cups, alternate layers of the pudding with Oreo crumbles, incorporating some of the gummy worms into each layer until the cups are filled. Top with Oreo crumbles. Add the pumpkins and sprinkles and serve.
- Continue to layer the Oreo crumbles and pudding in clear snack cups, adding gummy worms into most layers until the cups are filled. Top with Oreo crumbles.
- Add your pumpkin Oreo balls to the top. Sprinkled with green sprinkles, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Store your pumpkin dirt cups tightly covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Allow each component of this dessert plenty of time to chill in the refrigerator so it all comes together successfully.
- Try making this dessert casserole-style in a baking dish instead of individual cups!
Hannah says
These guys were the most fun to make. Im a teacher and i made them for my students. They all had a blast eating them and playing games with them. We went outside to eat them. It was a great day. Thanks for these im going to be doing it again. Great memories too.
Karin and Ken says
So glad to hear it! Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin