Halloween Pudding Cups

These Halloween Pudding Cups are a frightfully fun treat for little ghosts and goblins to make and enjoy! Layered with crushed Oreo cookies and creamy chocolate pudding mousse, then topped with Halloween sprinkles, cookies, and adorable Peeps ghosts, they’re a festive, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, or a fun afternoon in the kitchen with the kiddos.

Easy Halloween Pudding Cups

These fun little Graveyard Dirt Pudding Cups are an edible Halloween craft the whole family can enjoy making together! From the tiniest little goblins to Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa, everyone can join in the spooky fun. Made with convenient, easy-to-find ingredients, these festive treats come together with very little fuss, leaving plenty of room for creativity. Layer up the chocolate pudding and cookie crumbs, then let everyone have fun decorating their own edible graveyard with cookies, candy, and other spooky embellishments. They’re a delightful addition to Halloween parties, family gatherings, or a cozy afternoon of frightfully good fun in the kitchen!

Key ingredients to make Halloween Pudding Cups: (Scroll down for the full recipe card and quantities.)

• Cookies – Two family size packages of Oreo cookies for the edible “dirt”.
• Pudding – Instant chocolate pudding or fudge pudding mix plus whole milk to prepare.
• Syrup – Chocolate syrup or pourable ice cream topping amps up the chocolate flavor.
• Whipped Cream – Thawed whipped topping for the creamy finish. You can use Cool Whip or a similar private label store brand.
• Decorations – Pumpkins, Halloween sprinkles, Milano cookies, peep ghosts.

How to Make Halloween Pudding Cups Recipe

• Crush Oreos – Pulse Oreo cookies in batches in a food processor into fine crumbs. Pour crumbs into a medium bowl.
• Whip Instant Pudding Mix – Using an electric hand mixer whip together pudding mix and milk on medium speed until beginning to thicken.
• Add Whipped Cream and Chocolate Syrup – Fold in whipped topping an d chocolate syrup, fold through. (It’s fine if it looks a little uneven)
• Assemble – Arrange cups on a large sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons cookie crumbs to the bottom of each cup.
• Layer – Add chocolate pudding, then repeat with cookie crumbs and the remaining pudding.
• Decorate – Use tubes of black cookie icing to decorate the Milano cookies to say “RIP” or “Game Over” or any fun sayings you want. Let dry, then add one to 9 of the cups. Add peep ghosts to the other 9 cups. pressing them gently into the pudding.
• Cookie Mixture – Take the moistened cookie crumbs and sprinkle on top of each cup to resemble fresh uneven Earth. Add the mini pumpkin candies and sprinkle with colorful Halloween nonpareils.
• Refrigerate – Chill for 2 hours until serving or serve immediately.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Pudding Dirt Cups

• Clear disposable plastic cups or similar glass or plastic containers.
• Electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to make the pudding.
• Large bowl, medium bowl.
• Food processor to crush the cookies into fine crumbs.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Rubber spatula or large spoon
• Tray or sheet pan to move the pudding cups easily in and out of the refrigerator.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Adjust Amounts – The amount of the ingredients that make up each layer in this simple dirt cup recipe can easily be halved or doubled depending on the amount of chocolate pudding cups that you need to make.
• Milano Cookies – When decorating the Milano cookies for the tombstone, a toothpick can be helpful to form the letters for the writing or you can use an edible marker. It doesn’t have to be perfect, a little wonky works fine here. You could also use a different cookie that’s similar in shape and size. They should just be smooth enough to write on.
• Fresh Whipped Cream – You can replace the whipped topping with 4 cups of homemade sweetened whipped cream.
• Alternate Candy – You can have fun decorating these dirt cups! Gummy worms are a fun option, too.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – When assembling graveyard dirt cups in advance, it’s best to wait and finish the top with the decorated cookies, ghost marshmallows, and pumpkins until just before serving. Chilling can change the texture and the pumpkins and ghosts may harden and the cookies soften. It’s best to add those decorations just before serving.
• Leftovers – Keep leftover Halloween Pudding Cups covered with plastic wrap chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezer – I don’t suggest freezing. Please note, the toppings may soften even if thawed in the fridge.

More Halloween Treats to Make

Kids love fun sweets they’re a must-make for Halloween whether you’re hosting a gathering or just looking for something fun to enjoy. More Halloween recipes to try:

• Halloween Scotcheroos turns classic scotcheroos into a not-so-scary sweet treat.
• Chocolate Spider Cookies are made with Lindt truffles and pretzel sticks for the legs.
• Halloween Popcorn Balls feature a buttery caramel corn topped with chocolate and festive sprinkles.
• Two bite fall inspired Scotcheroo Bon Bons.
• For a couple of savory options, checkout my recipes for Kickin’ Cowboy Queso made in a slow cooker. Monster Meatball Sliders or Spooky 7 Layer Dip from Six Sisters Stuff.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Baking Sheets
• Measuring Set
• Mixer