Halloween calls for spooky, creative, and fun desserts that make both kids and adults smile. These graveyard pudding cups combine smooth chocolate pudding, crushed cookies that resemble dirt, and gummy worms for a creepy yet delicious treat. The first time I made them, children giggled at the “worms” crawling out, while adults snapped photos before enjoying every bite. This is one of the easiest Halloween pudding desserts you can prepare, perfect for school parties, family fun nights, or festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love These Graveyard Pudding Cups
- A no-bake recipe ready in just 15 minutes.
- Creepy-cute presentation that kids love.
- Perfect for Halloween parties or potlucks.
- Easy to customize with candy pumpkins or marshmallow ghosts.
- Budget-friendly dessert with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients for Spooky Graveyard Pudding Cups
| Pudding Base | Toppings | Optional Add-ins |
|---|---|---|
| 2 boxes (3.9 oz each) instant chocolate pudding mix | 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed | Whipped cream |
| 4 cups cold milk | 1 pack gummy worms | Candy pumpkins or candy eyes |
| 8 Milano cookies (for tombstones) | ||
| Black food-safe gel for writing |
Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Choose certified gluten-free cookies and pudding mix.
- Dairy-Free: Replace with plant-based pudding mix and almond or oat milk.
- Healthier Option: Swap gummy worms for dried fruit or fruit leather strips.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Graveyard Pudding Cups
- Prepare pudding mixture
In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix with cold milk until thick. Chill for 5 minutes.
- Crush the cookies
Place sandwich cookies in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin until they resemble dirt.
- Layer dessert cups
Fill each jar halfway with pudding. Sprinkle a layer of crushed cookies, followed by another scoop of pudding.
- Decorate the graveyard
Sprinkle more cookie crumbs on top. Insert a Milano cookie as a tombstone, pipe spooky words with gel, and arrange gummy worms crawling out of the “grave.”
Pro Tips for the Best Spooky Desserts
- Serve in clear mason jars so the pudding layers show through.
- Add candy bones or marshmallow ghosts for extra Halloween fun.
- Write “RIP” or “BOO” on tombstones with edible gel.
- Chill decorated cups for 30 minutes before serving to set layers.
- Let kids assemble their own cups—it makes a great activity.
Variations for Graveyard Pudding Cups
- Vegan Dirt Cups: Use dairy-free pudding and cookies.
- Nut-Free: Always choose toppings without nut contamination.
- Holiday Twist: Swap gummy worms for candy canes during Christmas.
- Family-Size Graveyard: Layer ingredients in a casserole dish for a shareable dessert.
Serve It With These Halloween Treats
- Halloween Pumpkin Pizza – a savory themed dinner.
- Halloween Mummy Hot Dogs – kid-friendly and festive.
- Witch’s Brew Cocktail – a spooky drink for grown-ups.
- Halloween Sangria – perfect for large parties.
Storage & Safety for Halloween Pudding
- Refrigerate: Keep covered for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended (worms and cookies lose texture).
- Food Safety: Always store pudding-based desserts in the fridge (FDA Food Safety Guide).
Nutrition (per serving, 1 cup)
- Calories: 280
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Sugar: 28g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
FAQs About Halloween Dirt Cups
Yes. Make the pudding and cookie crumbs one day ahead, but decorate just before serving for best texture.
Use ladyfingers, graham crackers, or shortbread cookies.
Absolutely! Kids love decorating their own pudding jars with worms and tombstones.
Yes, layer everything in a casserole dish and decorate the top like a spooky graveyard.
Try sugar-free pudding, whole-grain cookies, and fruit toppings instead of candy worms.
More Halloween Recipes Like This
- Black Velvet Cake – spooky chocolate cake with jet-black frosting.
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies – fruity and festive.
- Boogie Man Shot – a creepy party shooter.
- Easy Christmas Bark – colorful and quick holiday treat.
Graveyard Pudding Halloween Dessert Recipe
- Total Time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These graveyard pudding cups are a spooky and fun Halloween dessert made with chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and gummy worms. Quick to assemble, kid-friendly, and customizable, they’re the perfect no-bake treat for parties, potlucks, and festive family nights.
Ingredients
- Two packets (3.9 ounces each) of instant chocolate pudding powder
- 4 cups cold milk
- 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (for “dirt”)
- 1 pack gummy worms
- 8 Milano cookies (for “tombstones”)
- 1 small tube black food-safe gel (for writing “RIP” on tombstones)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, candy pumpkins, candy bones, candy eyes
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and thick. Chill for 5 minutes.
- Put chocolate sandwich cookies in a resealable bag and roll over them with a rolling pin until they turn into crumbs.
- Spoon pudding into clear jars or cups until halfway full.
- Sprinkle a layer of cookie crumbs on top, then add more pudding, finishing with a final layer of crumbs to look like dirt.
- Insert Milano cookies upright to resemble tombstones. Use black gel to write “RIP” or spooky messages.
- Decorate with gummy worms crawling out of the “dirt” and add any optional candies or whipped cream.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free cookies and pudding mix.
- To make it dairy-free, replace milk with almond or oat milk and use vegan pudding mix.
- Prepare pudding and crumbs ahead of time but decorate just before serving for the best crunch.
- This recipe works great as a large graveyard pudding dessert in a casserole dish for a crowd.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Assembled
- Cuisine: American
Save This Graveyard Pudding Cups Recipe for Later
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