Chocolate Graveyard Dirt Cups
From our kitchen · October 27, 2026
Dirt cups have the kind of name that makes children interested before they know what’s in them. Chocolate pudding and cookie crumbs generally take care of the rest.
I use small cups because the toppings add up quickly. A cookie tombstone and one gummy worm are enough to make the point. The pudding can be made ahead, which leaves only the decorating when the kitchen is busy.
Save the crumbs for the last minute if you want a little crunch. I have nothing against a soft chocolate cookie, but it is nice to hear a spoon break through that first layer.
- Serves
- 8
- Prep
- 20 min
- Total
- 20 min
Ingredients
1 box (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold whole milk, or the amount specified on the pudding package
16 chocolate sandwich cookies
8 small rectangular cookies, such as shortbread fingers
2 tablespoons melted semisweet chocolate
8 gummy worms
8 food-safe cups, about 4 ounces each
Directions
- 1
Whisk pudding mix with the package-specified amount of cold milk for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken.
- 2
Crush sandwich cookies in a sealed bag or food processor.
- 3
Put 1 tablespoon crumbs in each cup. Divide pudding among the cups, leaving space for topping. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- 4
Pipe RIP or simple crosses onto the rectangular cookies with melted chocolate; let set.
- 5
Just before serving, cover pudding with the remaining crumbs. Add one cookie tombstone and a gummy worm to each cup.
One family tip
Keep the prepared pudding cups chilled overnight if needed; add cookies and worms when serving.
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