This dirt and worms is the silly, spooky dessert kids beg for. It’s a creamy chocolate and Oreo dessert topped with gummy worms, modified from our famous Dirt Cake.
It comes together fast with a chocolate pudding mousse layered with crushed Oreos. Best of all, the total time is about 10 minutes, which makes it perfect for last-minute fun for any gathering, BBQ, or party. Not only do kids love it, but this worms in dirt dessert is one that even adults admit is delicious.
If you want more fun treats, check out our Ooogie Boogie Sundae and Gummy Worm Jello Cups .
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Year round. It’s perfect for Halloween but can also be served as a cool treat in the summer.
- Quick Prep. It’s quick to whip up and ready to serve right away, or you can chill it in the fridge for later.
- Customizable. You can serve in one big dish or cute single-serve cups, or swap the worms for other fun candies.
Dirt and Worms Ingredients
- Cream cheese, softened (4 ounces) – Cream cheese adds tangy richness and body, giving the mousse a luscious cheesecake style flavor.
- Unsalted Butter, softened (¼ cup) – Butter helps whip the cream cheese smooth and adds a silky mouthfeel; make sure it is soft but not melted so the mixture stays fluffy.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup) – Powdered sugar sweetens while keeping the filling smooth and light, perfect for layering with crumbs.
- Cool whip (8 ounces) – Cool Whip lightens the filling so it sets creamy and scoopable; fold gently rather than beating to keep the mousse airy.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix or vanilla (3.4-ounce box) – Instant pudding mix provides quick flavor and thickening. Do not use the cook n serve kind otherwise it will not set properly.
- Milk (1 ½ cups) – Milk hydrates the pudding powder and keeps the filling soft and creamy; whole milk gives the most decadent texture.
- Oreos (2 sleeves) – Oreos become the “dirt,” bringing chocolate crunch and cookies and cream flavor. Crush the entire cookie, filling included, for a mix of fine crumbs and chunky bits.
- Extra oreos for garnish – Extra Oreos on top add fresh crunch and make the dirt layer look extra realistic.
- Gummy worms (about 12-18)- Gummy worms create the playful finishing touch kids love; add them right before serving so they stay fresh and not slimy.
How to Make Dirt and Worms
OREO. Begin by smashing up Oreo cookies. I put mine in my food processor and blended until they are crumbs. Set aside.
CREAM CHEESE. Stir cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar with mixer in a medium bowl. Fold in whipped cream and mix until well blended.
PUDDING. In a separate large bowl mix pudding mix and milk with a whisk. Once combined well and thickened, fold the pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture.
ASSEMBLE . Spoon a few tablespoons of Oreo cookie crumbs in your cup or small jar. Then add some of the chocolate mousse mixture (I do this by adding the mixture to a gallon bag and cutting off the corner so it goes in the jar more easily). Gently bang the cups down on a washcloth on the table to get all bubbles out. Add a few more tablespoons of Oreo crumbs.
GARNISH + SERVE. Top off these worms in dirt with Oreo crumbs and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add gummy worms right before serving.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Crush the entire Oreo, filling included, for the best mix of fine crumbs and chunky bits.
- To keep the mousse fluffy, fold the pudding with the cream cheese and do not beat.
- Use a piping bag or a zip bag with the corner snipped for tidy layers.
- Be sure to use Instant pudding, not the cook-n-serve kind, so that it sets correctly.
- I like serving in individual cups, but you can assemble it in a large 9×13 pan, glass bowl, or trifle dish.
- Use gluten free oreos for a gluten-free version.
Dirt and Worms Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces cool whip
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix, or vanilla
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 sleeves oreos
- extra oreos for garnish
- gummy worms
Instructions
- Begin by smashing up Oreos. I put mine in my food processor and blended until they are crumbs. Set aside.
- Mix cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar with mixer in a medium bowl. Fold in whipped cream and mix until well blended.
- In a separate bowl mix pudding mix and milk with a whisk. Once combined well and thickened, fold the pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture.
- Assemble cups by placing a few tablespoons of Oreo crumbs in your cup or small jar. Then add some of the chocolate mousse mixture (I do this by adding the mixture to a gallon bag and cutting off the corner so it goes in the jar more easily). Bang down on a wash cloth on the table to get all bubbles out. Add a few more tablespoons of Oreo Crumbs.
- Top off with Oreo crumbs and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add gummy worms right before serving.
Notes
- Crush the entire Oreo, filling included, for the best mix of fine crumbs and chunky bits.
- To keep the mousse fluffy, fold the pudding with the cream cheese and do not beat.
- Be sure to use Instant pudding, not the cook-n-serve kind, so that it sets correctly.
- I like serving in individual cups, but you can assemble it in a large 9×13 dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Make ahead up to 24 hours and store covered with plastic wrap in the fridge. Add the top crumbs and worms right before serving so they do not soften.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge 2 to 3 days; remove worms before storing so they do not get slimy.
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This recipe was first shared July, 2022.
I see now that it says instant pudding only in the notes not the actual recipe which I usually jump to..
Is the pudding supposed to be instant pudding mix? I only saw one kind. It didn’t thicken…
I did this (today, 8/19/23) for my son’s 14th birthday. He chose vanilla pudding and vanilla oreos. I kept the pudding cheesecake mixture, worms, and the oreos separate since most of the attendees would be adults. It worked out very well. Everyone commented on how good it was.
That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing what you did. Glad to hear the dessert was a success!
Does this use the 5 oz or 3.9 oz box of instant pudding mix? I don’t know what size to use for this recipe, lol.
I used the 3.9 oz box.
My mom used to put Oreos and gummy worms on regular chocolate pudding, but this mixture is definitely more delicious. YUMMY!
Loved this little dessert! Was so fun and easy to create! Delicious too!!
I’ve had this before, but never with the cream cheese. Made it even tastier!
Ooh yes, the cream cheese totally makes it! So glad you enjoyed!
This is always a hit with the kids!! We love making it for parties & get togethers.
What a cute idea! Not hard to make and it’s always a favorite in our family. Can easily be made to fit the holiday your celebrating!