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    Home » Desserts

    Halloween Dessert Dirt

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 8, 2020, updated February 14, 2024 - 10 Comments

    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Prep time: 20 minutes minutes
    5 from 4 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy Dessert Dirt is perfect to make ahead for your Halloween celebration - or any time you need to sooth your chocolate cravings. With just four ingredients and a dash of coffee to bring out all that chocolate flavor.

    two cups of dessert dirt

    This recipe is so tasty and easy to make, and I love that you can easily adapt it to as many (or as few!) as you like. You can also check out this guide to desserts that are perfect to make for 2.

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    Why you will love this recipe

    • It's quick and done in just 5 minutes once you have your pudding made
    • It's easy - just mix pudding & coffee, crush some oreos, and put it all together
    • Coffee brings out the chocolate flavor to make this dessert extra delicious
    • No baking needed - a fridge is all you need
    • Minimal cleanup - just one bowl

    What you need to make it

    ingredient needed to make dessert dirt

    Ingredient notes & substitutions

    • Oreo cookies can be switched for similar chocolate cookies, with or without cream filling
    • Chocolate pudding can be homemade, store bought or made from a boxed mix
    • Gummy candies - choose whatever suits the mood of your party, or switch for strawberries or raspberries for a more elegant version
    • Cold coffee can be skipped but is great for bring out the chocolate flavor. Don't worry if you don't enjoy coffee flavor - it doesn't make this taste like coffee, it just enhances the chocolate.

    How to make it

    To make this dessert dirt, start by getting your pudding ready. Either make your own, make it from a boxed mix according to the box instructions, or get a finished version at the store. If making homemade or from the box, chill to set before starting this recipe.

    collage showing how to prep dessert dirt
    1. Pour cold coffee in chocolate pudding
    2. Mix
    3. Place oreos in a plastic bag and tie a knot on it. Use a rolling pin to crush up the oreos. Flip the bag a few times to make sure they all get well crushed.
    4. You should end up with crushed oreos that look kinda like dirt
    collage showing how to make dessert dirt

    You can complete step 5-10 below for all portions at the same time.

    1. Bring out a serving cup or glass and place about a tablespoon of crushed oreos in the bottom
    2. Add half a portion of chocolate pudding
    3. Add one tablespoon of crushed oreos, and one gummy candy if you like
    4. Add another half portion of chocolate pudding
    5. Add another tablespoon of crushed oreos
    6. Top with gummy candies

    Tips & tricks

    • Place a gummy candy in the middle layer for a surprise
    • Make a group version of this recipe with my Oreo Dirt Pie
    • Make it more elegant by swapping gummy candies for raspberries or strawberries cut in pieces
    • Make it ahead of time and store in the fridge until just before serving. You can make it as much as 24 hours in advance.

    Recipe FAQ

    Can I make dessert dirt ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make it as much as 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge.

    What can I use instead of gummy candies?

    You can use raspberries or chopped strawberries instead, for a fancier version of dessert dirt.

    top down view of dessert dirt topped with gummy rats

    More easy dessert recipes

    Love easy desserts, like this dessert dirt? Then I think you will love these recipes!

    • Apple Crisp without Oats
    • Puff Pastry Apple Pie
    • Passion Fruit & White Chocolate Fruit Bake
    • Red, White & Blue Berry Bake with White Chocolate

    Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
    ...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.

    Recipe

    two cups of dessert dirt

    Halloween Dessert Dirt

    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: North American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 444kcal
    Prep time: 20 minutes mins
    Cook time: 5 minutes mins
    Active cooking time 5 minutes minutes
    Total time: 25 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 servings chocolate pudding
    • 4 tablespoons cold coffee optional
    • 10 oreos
    • 16 gummy candies for example gummy worms or rats

    Instructions

    • Make chocolate pudding - either homemade, or using a boxed mix and following the instructions on the package. Chill to set - this usually takes 10-15 minutes.
    • Mix chocolate pudding with cold coffee and set aside for now.
      4 servings chocolate pudding, 4 tablespoons cold coffee
    • Place oreos in a plastic bag and tie a knot on it. Place on a solid surface and roll the rolling pin over until all the cookies are well crushed.
      10 oreos
    • Bring out serving cups or glasses and place one table spoon of crushed oreos in the bottom of each. Follow with half a portion of chocolate pudding and another tablespoon of crushed oreos. Add another half portion of chocolate pudding on top, followed by one tablespoon of oreos. Top with four gummy candies per serving.
      16 gummy candies

    Equipment (may contain affiliate links)

    • Rolling Pin
    • Plastic bag

    Video

    Notes

     

    Ingredient notes & substitutions

    • Oreo cookies can be switched for similar chocolate cookies, with or without cream filling
    • Chocolate pudding can be homemade, store bought or made from a boxed mix
    • Gummy candies - choose whatever suits the mood of your party, or switch for strawberries or raspberries for a more elegant version
    • Cold coffee can be skipped but is great for bring out the chocolate flavor. Don't worry if you don't enjoy coffee flavor - it doesn't make this taste like coffee, it just enhances the chocolate.
     

    Tips & tricks

    • Place a gummy candy in the middle layer for a surprise
    • Make it more elegant by swapping gummy candies for raspberries or strawberries cut in pieces
    • Make it ahead of time and store in the fridge until just before serving. You can make it as much as 24 hours in advance.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 203IU | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Cranberry white chocolate muffins.
      Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins
    • Cranberry cupcakes.
      Cranberry Cupcakes With White Chocolate Frosting
    • Cranberry muffins.
      Cranberry Muffins
    • Collage showing different desserts you can make for two.
      35 Best Desserts for Two

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aarushi Sehgal

      October 31, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      Wowwwww! Ok so I have to tell you something... your blog is amazingggg. Being 13 I started my own cooking blog( do check it out tho) I explored a lot of cooking blogs. And after visiting yours I know that this is the perfect one. Your picture by picture explanation is amazing so Informative. I too made a Halloween dessert today and posted it. It’s spooky cupcakes! I’m really glad that I found your blog. Because with inspiration the recipes and posts are also incredibly incredible!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        November 01, 2020 at 2:49 pm

        Thank you so much for those kind words Aarushi, this made my day!! How amazing that you started your blog already at age 13 - I started cooking early as well and would have loved to have a forum to share my cooking in already back then. I visited your blog and I got hungry! I love Indian food and would love to try out some of your recipes. All the best to you and good luck on your food & blogging journey!

        Reply
        • Aarushi Sehgal

          November 01, 2020 at 3:58 pm

          Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!

          Reply
    2. Shelley

      October 15, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Hahaha - these are totally adorable, and I love that they need just a very few ingredients and are so quick and easy to make! A last-minute Halloween treat with absolutely no stress - yay! And your photos are awesome ... very spooktacular! 😉

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        October 15, 2020 at 8:25 pm

        Thank you, Shelley! 😀

        Reply
    3. Dannii

      October 15, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a fun dessert. I am going to make it with my kids at the weekend.

      Reply
    4. Adrianne

      October 15, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is simply TOO fun. I love it and how on point it is for the theme. I am coming your place for Halloween!!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        October 15, 2020 at 8:26 pm

        You are welcome any time! And these are done so quickly, you don't even need to call ahead 😉

        Reply
    5. Danielle Wolter

      October 15, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun idea for a Halloween party! Plus it sounds so yummy - can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    6. Shashi

      October 15, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Such a fun and adorable halloween treat!

      Reply
    5 from 4 votes

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