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Easy Halloween Dirt Cups with Gummy Worms & Orange Vanilla

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These Easy Orange Vanilla Halloween Dirt Cups with Gummy Worms are a no-bake, last-minute Halloween treat that combines creamy orange vanilla pudding with crunchy cookie dirt and playful gummy worms. Perfect for parties, classroom treats, or a fun family activity.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (3.4-ounce) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk (whole milk recommended)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups crushed vanilla wafer cookies (e.g., Nilla wafers)
  • 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (e.g., Oreos, filling removed)
  • 24 gummy worms (about 2 per cup)
  • 8 ounces whipped topping (thawed, like Cool Whip)
  • 12 small clear plastic cups (5-ounce size)
  • Halloween sprinkles (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Zest and juice your orange first: Wash the orange, zest it to get 1 tablespoon of zest, then juice it to get 1/4 cup of juice. Set both aside.
  2. Whisk the pudding base: In a large mixing bowl, combine both boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix with 3 cups of cold milk. Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens and is glossy and smooth.
  3. Add the orange and vanilla: Pour in the fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk again until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust with more zest if desired.
  4. Fold in the whipped topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture using a spatula, using slow sweeping motions until no white streaks remain. The texture should be light and mousse-like.
  5. Crush the cookies: Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor until they resemble fine sand. For chocolate cookies, remove the cream filling first, then crush them separately, leaving some larger pieces for texture.
  6. Layer the cups: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of crushed vanilla wafers into the bottom of each clear cup. Tap the cup gently to settle the crumbs.
  7. Add the pudding layer: Transfer the orange vanilla pudding mixture to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the pudding evenly into each cup, filling them about two-thirds full.
  8. Top with more dirt: Sprinkle the remaining crushed cookies (mix of vanilla wafer and chocolate cookie crumbs) over the pudding layer to completely cover the surface.
  9. Insert the gummy worms: Gently push 2 gummy worms into each cup so they peek out of the dirt. Position some worms crawling out of the cup for a spooky effect.
  10. Chill before serving: Refrigerate the cups for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the pudding to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

For best results, use cold milk and fully thawed whipped topping. Fresh orange juice and zest are key for bright citrus flavor. Pipe the pudding for clean layers. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Cookie crumbs soften over time, so add the dirt layer and gummy worms no more than 4 hours ahead for optimal texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween dirt cups, orange vanilla pudding, gummy worms, no-bake dessert, easy Halloween treat, kid-friendly dessert

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/easy-halloween-dirt-cups-with-gummy-worms-and-orange-vanilla/