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You’re going to love these gluten-free dirt cups with layers of creamy chocolate and crushed gluten-free Oreo cookies all nestled in a cup, topped with gummy worms for that extra fun factor. Dairy free version and fun variations included!

GLUTEN FREE DIRT CUPS

As a 90’s kid, one of the iconic treats of my childhood was the classic dirt cup. Do you remember those?

Layers of creamy chocolate pudding and Oreo cookie crumbs topped with gummy worms and served in clear plastic cups for a fun dessert.

Fast forward a few decades, and I realized that I hadn’t made them for my kids! Since we are a gluten-free household I used gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies (sharing recs below!) to whip up this nostalgic treat.

And, if you also need to avoid milk products, there are dairy free substitutions listed in the post and the recipe card.

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WHAT ARE DIRT CUPS?

Dirt cups are typically served in individual cups or containers and consist of layers of cookie crumbs and chocolate pudding.

Gummy worms or other candy treats are often tucked into the “dirt” layers, giving the dessert a playful and imaginative touch.

These delightful treats offer a delightful contrast between the creamy pudding, crumbly cookie “dirt,” and the chewy candies, making them a beloved favorite for little kids, teens, and adults alike.

HISTORY OF DIRT CUPS

You might be wondering, where did dirt cups come from??

Well, according to The Takeout it all began in the Midwest during the 1980’s with the creation of dirt cake or dirt pudding.

The first print-version of a classic dirt cake appeared in a 1988 issue of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and included cream cheese, margarine, confectioners’ sugar, Cool Whip, and pudding mix sandwiched between layers of chocolate cookie crumbs and frozen overnight.

Some versions included chocolate pudding and others featured vanilla, but no matter the flavor, it was a huge hit at Brownie meetings, parties, and school classrooms.

In the early 90s, Kraft ran with the idea for this fun treat, featuring dirt cups and corresponding recipes on their advertising material. Other brands soon followed and, as they say, the rest is history.

Over the decades, this classic dessert has been dubbed dirt ‘n worms, dirt cake, dirt pudding, and single-serving dirt cups. Whatever you decide to call them, they’re a fun treat for all ages!

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN FREE DIRT CUPS

Wondering what dirt cups are made of? I’m happy to report that they’re easy to make with a few simple ingredients. If you have kids around, they can easily help and will have so much fun assembling them with you!

Many recipes call for a very simple version using only chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs, and gummy worms. I am using a recipe similar to what I had as a kid, that includes a few extra ingredients making it more appealing to adult palates as well.

Dairy free/vegan substitutions are listed below

• cream cheese at room temperature
• instant pudding mix you can use gluten free chocolate pudding or vanilla pudding, but for more of a dirt look definitely use chocolate. note that you need instant pudding mix, not cook and serve.
• milk I recommend whole milk for the best flavor and texture, see below for dairy-free alternatives
• Cool Whip thawed
• gluten free chocolate cookies gluten free Oreo cookies are my favorite, but there are lots of options. Check out my gluten free Oreos review for all the deets on the best gf chocolate sandwich cookies!
• gummy worms be careful with these, as some contain gluten ingredients or have a may contain warning. I used Albanese gummy worms brand which are our fav for flavor anyway, and also labeled gluten free. As a bonus, they have cute little faces 🙂

Looking for more gluten free kid-friendly recipes? Try my Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats (seriously the best you’ll ever eat) or DIY Fruit Kabobs!

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE DIRT CUPS

Step 1: Make Oreo Crumbs

There are a few ways to make cookie crumbs:

1. Add gluten-free Oreos (or whatever chocolate cookie you’re using) to a food processor and pulse until they’re finely ground crumbs that resemble real dirt. This is the easiest option that will yield the best appearance and texture.
2. Place gluten-free sandwich cookies in a Ziplock bag or other sturdy plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until the cookies resemble fine crumbs.

Step 2: Make the Pudding

In a large bowl, blend the cream cheese with a hand mixer for about a minute until smooth and creamy.

Pour in the instant pudding mix and milk and mix on low until thickened and smooth.

PRO TIP: the pudding will splatter when you’re first mixing it into the cream cheese! Use a large bowl with higher sides as opposed to a small bowl to protect against this.

Add Cool Whip to the pudding mixture and fold in gently using a spatula.

PRO TIP: I always use the “round the outside, down the middle” method from Mary Berry where you scrape the outer edges of the bowl, then slice the spatula down the middle. Here is a YouTube video that shows how this is done if you’re new to the idea.

Step 3: Assemble

This is the best part and kids love to help!

Start by placing a thin layer (about 1/4 inch) of cookie crumbs in the bottom of a clear cup.

Add a couple spoonful’s of the pudding mixture, being careful not to smear along the sides of the cup so you have nice, clear layers. You should have a 1-1 1/2 inch pudding layer.

Repeat the process until your cup is full to the top.

Sprinkle with a little more Oreo crumbs and a few gummy worms.

HOW TO SERVE GLUTEN-FREE DIRT CUPS

While gluten-free dirt cups are super simple to make, the possibilities of how to serve them are practically endless, making them perfect for holidays or parties! Here are a few fun ideas to spark your creativity:

Dirt Cups for Parties

1. Trifle Style: Layer the pudding mixture, crushed cookies, and gummy worms in a large trifle dish to create a visually appealing and shareable dessert that’s perfect for gatherings. You’ll want to double or triple the recipe to fill the dish.
2. Mini Mason Jars: Use small mason jars to create adorable single servings of dirt cups. These can be sealed with lids, making them great for picnics or party favors.
3. Terrarium Desserts: Build a dessert terrarium by layering the ingredients in a clear glass container, like a fishbowl or a glass vase. This creates an artistic presentation that resembles a mini garden and can even be combined with edible flowers for a grown-up version.
4. Bucket of Dirt: For a playful twist, serve dirt cups in small, clean sand buckets. Top them off with a tiny shovel as a serving utensil.

Halloween Dirt Cups:

1. Graveyard Scene: Prepare dirt cups as usual but decorate the top layer with edible tombstone-shaped cookies such as gluten-free ladyfingers (Schar makes some!). Insert the cookies into the “dirt” layer and use black icing to write eerie messages. Add gummy worms crawling out of the “graves.” You can also use banana ghosts made with halved bananas and mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth.
2. Witch’s Cauldron: Serve dirt cups in mini black cauldrons. Place a dry ice chunk (if safe to handle) or a battery-operated LED light underneath to create a mystical fog effect around the cauldrons.
3. Creepy Crawly Delight: Incorporate additional creepy crawlies like plastic spiders or insects in between the layers of dirt and pudding. These unexpected surprises will add an extra element of fright.
4. Jack-O’-Lantern Cups: Use orange-tinted white chocolate or vanilla pudding to create a pumpkin-inspired layer. Top with crushed cookie “dirt” and a carved mini marshmallow as a pumpkin stem.
5. Monster Mash: Decorate the cups with edible googly eyes, teeth made from white chocolate chips, and other monster-inspired candy to give your dirt cups a monstrous makeover. Make sure all your ingredients are gluten-free!
6. Spider Web Design: Drizzle black icing in a spider web pattern on the top layer of dirt cups. Place a large plastic spider in the center for a visually captivating and slightly eerie effect.
7. Haunted House: Create a haunted house scene using gluten-free graham crackers as the house walls. Position it on top of the dirt cup and surround it with gummy worms and candy pumpkins.
8. Ghastly Gravestones: Place individual dirt cups in a row on a serving tray. Use black cardboard or construction paper to create gravestone-shaped markers for each cup.

Dirt Cups for Earth Day:

1. Flower Pot: Line a small clay flower pot with plastic wrap or parchment paper, then make the dirt cups as instructed. Top with edible flower/herbs. Take it next level by making your own chocolate pots!
2. Edible Earth Cups: Create a representation of the Earth by using layers of blue-tinted vanilla pudding to mimic the oceans and green-tinted vanilla pudding for the continents. Top with crushed Oreo “soil” and a small gummy worm as a nod to the ecosystem.
3. Earth Day DIY: Set up a DIY dirt cup station at your Earth Day event, allowing guests to layer their own cups with pudding, crushed cookies, and toppings of their choice. Provide eco-friendly serving utensils and biodegradable cups (be aware that some of these are made from wheat-always check packaging!)

While this no bake dessert is perfect served as-is, it’s also a versatile recipe that’s fun to play around with! Try pairing different flavors of pudding with a variety of crushed cookies.

PRO TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE

Be sure to use instant pudding mix; cook-and-serve pudding mix will not work.

Cookie crumbs will soften as they sit with the pudding, so consider layering just before serving (although it still tastes yummy)

Any gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookie will work great in this recipe. There is a big difference in the taste and texture if you’re eating them plain, but mixed with pudding you won’t even notice. That being said, Nabisco’s gluten free Oreo is my favorite cookie to use in this recipe, and it’s easy to find in most stores.

HOW TO STORE GLUTEN FREE DIRT CUPS

Gluten free dirt cups are best served just after assembling, before the cookies become soft.

That being said, this favorite childhood dessert really tastes good any way you eat it, so feel free to make in advance if you need to.

Store leftover pudding dirt cups covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

If you’re making a gluten free dirt pudding cake, store in an airtight container.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN DIRT PUDDING CUPS

It’s easy to make vegan dirt cups! Use your favorite dairy-free cream cheese and a vegan pudding mix like Vivian’s prepared with your choice of non-dairy milk. Use CocoWhip from So Delicious, or whatever you usually sub for whipped topping.

Gluten free Oreos are naturally dairy-free as well.

MORE GLUTEN-FREE DESSERT RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats

Easy 2 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge

Gluten Free Nutter Butters

Easy Gluten Free Pistachio Cake

Gluten Free Banana Bread

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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GLUTEN FREE DIRT CUPS RECIPE

Gluten-free dirt cups are an easy dessert the entire family will love making and eating! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

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