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Easy Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups with Gummy Worms

pumpkin patch dirt cups - featured image
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These no-bake dirt cups feature a creamy pumpkin pudding layer and crunchy chocolate cookie ‘dirt,’ topped with gummy worms for a fun Halloween treat that kids and adults love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup cold whole milk
  • 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate sandwich cookies (about 15 cookies)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 12–15 gummy worms
  • Optional: 1/4 cup crushed graham crackers
  • Optional: 2-3 small pumpkin candies or candy corn

Instructions

  1. Make the pumpkin pudding layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix for about 2 minutes until it thickens. Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, whisking until fully combined and smooth. Set aside.
  2. Whip the heavy cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with a hand mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Fold it together: Gently fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin pudding mixture using a spatula until no white streaks remain.
  4. Crush the cookies: Place the chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor and pulse until they resemble fine crumbs with a few larger pieces. Stir in the melted butter until the crumbs look slightly damp.
  5. Layer the cups: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the cookie ‘dirt’ into the bottom of each cup. Add about 1/4 cup of the pumpkin pudding mixture on top. Repeat with another layer of cookie dirt and another layer of pumpkin pudding, ending with a final sprinkle of cookie crumbs on top.
  6. Add the gummy worms: Gently poke 2-3 gummy worms into the top of each cup so they appear to be ‘crawling’ out of the dirt. If using pumpkin candies, place one on top.
  7. Chill before serving: Refrigerate the assembled cups for at least 30 minutes (1 hour is better). Serve cold.

Notes

For cleanest layers, chill the pudding mixture for 10 minutes before assembling. Assemble cups the night before (minus gummy worms) for best flavor. Add worms just before serving to prevent color bleeding.

Nutrition

Keywords: dirt cups, pumpkin dessert, Halloween dessert, no-bake dessert, gummy worms, fall dessert

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/easy-pumpkin-patch-dirt-cups-with-gummy-worms/