Fun Pumpkin Dirt Cups Recipe with Crushed Cookies and Cream

Pumpkin dirt cups merge the playful spirit of childhood desserts with seasonal autumn charm.

These whimsical treats elevate ordinary ingredients into a delightful sensory experience.

Dark crumbled cookies mimic rich soil while creamy layers capture the essence of festive indulgence.

Soft pudding textures blend seamlessly with crunchy cookie crumbs, creating a multidimensional dessert that surprises and delights.

Sweet and earthy flavors dance together, evoking memories of crisp fall afternoons and Halloween celebrations.

Delicate chocolate elements add depth and complexity to this nostalgic confection.

Young and old alike will find themselves enchanted by these clever, eye-catching desserts.

Why Pumpkin Dirt Cups Are Fun and Festive

• Create Festive Halloween Dessert: Transform ordinary pudding into a spooky, fun treat that captures the spirit of Halloween with minimal effort.
• Quick and Easy Layering Method: Build delightful cups by alternating creamy pudding and crunchy cookie layers, creating an exciting texture adventure in every bite.
• Customize with Colorful Touches: Bring the dessert to life with green-tinted coconut and adorable candy pumpkins, making it visually appealing and perfect for seasonal celebrations.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Enjoyment: Whip up this dessert in under 15 minutes, with most of the time spent chilling, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festivities.

What You Need for Pumpkin Dirt Cups Dessert

• Chocolate Instant Pudding: Rich chocolate flavor for the creamy base, choose a high-quality brand for best taste.
• Milk: Provides smooth texture and helps create pudding consistency, whole milk works best for richness.

• Cool Whip, Oreo Cookies: Creamy topping and crunchy cookie base for classic dirt cup texture, crush cookies finely for even distribution.

• Candy Pumpkins: Festive Halloween-themed decoration that adds sweet surprise, choose soft and fresh pumpkin candies.
• Shredded Coconut, Green Food Coloring: Creates grass-like appearance for themed decoration, use natural food coloring for vibrant green effect.

How to Make Layered Pumpkin Dirt Cups Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Pudding Base

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together pudding mix and milk until smooth and creamy. Let the mixture sit and thicken for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to develop.

Step 2: Fold In Fluffy Topping

Gently fold Cool Whip into the pudding, creating a light and airy texture that will make your dessert irresistibly smooth.

Step 3: Create Cookie Foundation

Crush cookies into fine crumbs and sprinkle a layer at the bottom of each serving cup, forming a delicious base.

Step 4: Layer Pudding Goodness

Carefully spoon the pudding mixture over the cookie layer, creating a delectable foundation for your treat.

Step 5: Build Delightful Layers

Continue layering pudding and cookie crumbs, alternating until you reach the top of the cup. Finish with a final cookie crumb layer for extra crunch.

Step 6: Chill and Set

Place cups in the refrigerator and let them cool for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly.

Step 7: Create Vibrant Green Coconut Topping

• Green food coloring
• A splash of water

Shake vigorously until coconut turns a beautiful green color.

Step 8: Final Festive Touches

Just before serving, sprinkle the green coconut on top of each cup. Garnish with adorable candy pumpkins for a seasonal flair.

Tip: Serve chilled and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Tips for Assembling Pumpkin Dirt Cups Smoothly

• Optimize Pudding Texture: Whisk the pudding mix thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency that blends perfectly with Cool Whip.
• Layer Strategically: Create visually appealing layers by using a clear glass or cup, allowing the cookie and pudding colors to shine through.
• Customize Cookie Crumbs: Use chocolate sandwich cookies for a classic dirt cup look, or mix in different cookie types for unique flavor variations.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let the dessert sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld and achieve the perfect chilled texture.
• Decorate Creatively

How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Dirt Cups

• Refrigeration: Store Pumpkin Dirt Cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Layering Protection: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dessert to prevent a skin from forming and keep the pudding layers creamy.
• Gentle Reheating: Do not microwave these cups, as the pudding and whipped cream will lose texture. Instead, remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to let them slightly soften and reach the perfect cool temperature.

Treats to Serve with Pumpkin Dirt Cups

• Sip Seasonal Spice Latte: Pair this festive dessert with a warm pumpkin spice latte to enhance the autumnal flavors and create a cozy, comforting experience.
• Complement with Caramel Apple Cider: The sweet and tangy notes of apple cider perfectly balance the rich, creamy texture of the pumpkin dirt cups, creating a delightful fall-themed treat.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Chai: The aromatic spices in chai tea complement the pumpkin and cookie layers, offering a sophisticated and warming accompaniment to this playful dessert.
• Serve with Cinnamon Hot Chocolate: A rich, spiced hot chocolate adds depth and warmth, making the dessert feel like a complete autumn indulgence that warms both heart and palate.

Fun Ideas to Customize Pumpkin Dirt Cups

• Harvest Harvest Cups: Swap candy pumpkins with caramel apple slices and sprinkle crushed graham crackers instead of cookies for a fall-inspired dessert.
• Chocolate Forest Delight: Replace shredded coconut with chocolate shavings and add dark chocolate mushroom-shaped candies on top for an earthy woodland theme.
• Autumn Spice Treat: Mix pumpkin pie spice into the pudding mixture and garnish with cinnamon-dusted pecans for a warm, seasonal flavor profile.
• Tropical Pumpkin Surprise: Use coconut pudding instead of regular pudding and top with toasted coconut flakes and small tropical fruit pieces for a unique crossover dessert.

Pumpkin Dirt Cups Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Midnight Halloween Pumpkin Dirt Cups bring spooky dessert magic to your seasonal gathering. Chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and adorable pumpkin decorations create a playful treat you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dairy Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cool whip
• 1 package (3.9 ounces/110 grams) chocolate instant pudding

Crumble and Garnish Ingredients:

• 20 oreo cookies, crushed
• Candy pumpkins
• Shredded coconut

Coloring Ingredient:

• Green food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl, whisking vigorously until smooth and well blended. Allow the mixture to thicken for several minutes.
2. Gently incorporate Cool Whip into the pudding, creating a light and creamy texture.
3. Create a foundational layer by sprinkling crushed cookies at the bottom of each serving cup.
4. Carefully spread a generous layer of the pudding mixture over the cookie base.
5. Continue building the dessert by alternating layers of pudding and crushed cookies, ensuring each layer is evenly distributed.
6. Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors and textures to meld together.
7. Prepare the green coconut topping by placing shredded coconut in a sealed container. Add a few drops of green food coloring and a small amount of water, then shake thoroughly until the coconut is uniformly colored.
8. Just before serving, garnish the top of each dirt cup with the vibrant green coconut, and artfully place candy pumpkins for a festive Halloween-themed presentation.

Notes

• Keep ingredients chilled until just before mixing to maintain the perfect creamy texture.
• Customize layers by experimenting with different cookie types for unique flavor combinations.
• Store these festive desserts in the refrigerator for up to two days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg