Pudding Filled Dirt Cupcakes

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Who says you shouldn't play with your food? Have some fun and "dig" into these Dirt Cupcakes. Oreo crumbs and gummy worms make these pudding filled cupcakes a fun treat for kids of all ages.

A black wire cooling rack with chocolate cupcakes topped with Oreo crumbs and gummy worms on it.

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Why You'll Love Dirt Cupcakes
Ingredients Needed
How to make Dirt Cupcakes
Storage Recommendations
Tips and Tricks
FAQs
Other Easy Cupcakes
Recipe

One of my favorite desserts growing up was dirt pudding. This easy pudding dessert was always a staple at church potlucks.

It can also be made into a tasty dirt pie! You never wanted to be the last one in line because the worms in dirt always disappeared first.

Years ago, I needed to make cupcakes for our youngest son to take to school for his birthday, so I decided to recreate that layered pudding dessert inside a chocolate cupcake. The Dirt Cupcakes are topped with Oreo cookie crumbs and gummy worms...making them look like real dirt.

The best part about these cupcakes is the hidden pudding center. It makes them so moist and tasty!

Why You'll Love Dirt Cupcakes

These pudding filled cupcakes are the perfect treat to make with your kids. They are easy, fun, and delicious.

Kids of all ages will love helping out in the kitchen when you make these cupcakes. Get them involved by having them add the Oreo dirt and gummy worms.

These cupcakes will be the talk of every party. Get ready to share the recipe with all your friends!

Ingredients Needed

A white board with bowls of ingredients to make Pudding Filled Dirt Cupcakes.

Dirt cupcakes are quite simple to make with just a few ingredients. Plus, they take less than 20 minutes to decorate.

Chocolate Cake Mix - You make the cupcakes according to the package directions so that you can use your favorite brand.
Chocolate Pudding Mix - Make sure you buy an INSTANT pudding mix.
Milk - You can use any variety of milk to make the pudding. The flavor and creaminess do come from the milk fat, though, so 2% or whole milk is recommended.
Cool Whip - Gives the pudding a fluffy texture. Regular or lite is fine. You can also use 3 cups of this easy homemade whipped cream, if you prefer.
Chocolate Frosting - Using store-bought frosting makes this recipe quick and easy. This dark chocolate frosting would also be great on these gummy worm cupcakes.
Gummy Worms - Adds the fun worms and dirt look to this treat.

Transform these Dirt Cupcakes into a fun and decadent treat with a hidden pudding center, Oreo crumbs, and gummy worms. Great dessert for parties or Halloween.

How to make Dirt Cupcakes

You won't believe how easy it is to make these pudding-filled dirt cupcakes. They come together in minutes, making them the perfect treat for any occasion.

Step 1. Bake the Cupcakes

Three pictures collaged together showing how to make chocolate cupcakes.

Mix together the chocolate cake mix and fill 24 cupcake liners.
Bake and cool completely.

Step 2. Make the Pudding

Two pictures collaged together showing the steps to making fluffy chocolate pudding.

Mix together milk and pudding mix in a large bowl. Let set.
Add Cool Whip and stir gently with a spatula.

Step 3. Fill and Decorate the Cupcakes

Four pictures collaged together showing the steps to filling and frosting dirt cupcakes.

Remove the center of the cupcakes and fill with the pudding mixture. Place the cupcake piece back on top.
Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting and roll in crushed Oreo crumbs.
Cut gummy worms in half. Make two holes in the top of the cupcakes and insert worm pieces.

BruCrew Tip: Looking for a fun Halloween version? These cauldron cupcakes are spooky and delicious!

Storage Recommendations

These cupcakes are filled with pudding and contain dairy. Therefore, they need to be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They taste best within 48 hours. After that, the pudding centers may become too gooey for your liking.

The unfrosted and unfilled cupcakes can be kept in a sealed container on the counter for 1-2 days if you want to make them ahead of time.

Overhead picture of a black wire cooling rack with a bunch of Oreo dirt cupcakes topped with gummy worms on it.

Tips and Tricks

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before filling and frosting them. The frosting will melt into a puddle if they are still warm.
Don't like chocolate? Use a vanilla or yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding, vanilla frosting, and Golden Oreo crumbs
These cupcakes are the perfect treat for birthday parties or Halloween. For a fun party favor, press a spooky spider ring into the top of each cupcake.
Recipe Yield - The recipe makes 24 pudding-filled cupcakes.

FAQs

How do you core a cupcake?

There are few kitchen tools that make removing the center of a cupcake easy. A cupcake corer removes the centers of each cupcake. Insert a sharp paring knife
at 45° and remove the centers. Use a melon baller to scoop out the middle of each cupcake. A small round cookie cutter can be pressed into the center and twisted to remove part of the cupcake.

Do I have to add the pudding center?

Not at all. The pudding center is just a fun and delicious addition to the cupcake. If you want to simplify the cupcake, skip the pudding.

How long do pudding filled cupcakes last?

The filled and assembled cupcakes will keep for 2-3 days, if kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Can pudding cupcakes be made sugar-free?

You can definitely turn these into sugar-free cupcakes. Substitute the ingredients with a sugar-free cake mix, pudding mix, canned frosting, and Oreos.

A white plate with a pudding filled dirt cupcake cut open showing the filling.

Other Easy Cupcakes

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