If you’re looking for a fun and delicious dessert that’s also healthier for your little ones, look no further than these vegan-friendly Halloween Dirt Pudding Cups. Filled with nutritious ingredients you can feel good about, this recipe is sure to be a hit at any Halloween party.
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Growing up I always loved Halloween. I mean, what kid doesn’t love October?
So with Halloween coming up, it seems like the perfect excuse to get back into the spirit.
No Halloween party or gathering was complete without dirt pudding cups, and we’re putting a (healthier) spooky spin on this classic dessert!
With a vegan chocolate pudding recipe, strawberry ghosts, and vegan gummy worms, this is the perfect Halloween recipe for kids (and adults!).
Ppsst: This recipe is adapted from my Vegan Chocolate Pudding recipe!
I mean, honestly aren’t these so much fun!? The 10 year old in me is all about this festive dessert. Dirt pudding was probably one of my favorite Halloween treats. I swear someone’s parents brought them in for the Halloween school snack at least once a year.
What I love about this particular recipe is that it’s made with nutrient-dense ingredients that you can feel good giving to the little ones!
Ingredients for Halloween Dirt Pudding
These are seriously too fun. It’s a no bake dessert that makes fun treats for both kids and adults this Halloween.
For the Healthy Chocolate Pudding:
- ripe avocados – use ripe avocados for the best creamy pudding texture.
- maple syrup – maple syrup is my preferred sweetener here. If you’re not a fan of maple syrup, I would go for agave or honey if not vegan. Adjust measurement to desired sweetness.
- unsweetened cocoa powder – a nice dose of cocoa powder gives us that rich chocolate flavor.
- non-dairy milk – I love extra creamy cashew milk, but you can use any non-dairy milk or whole milk if dairy is okay.
- vanilla extract – a touch of vanilla rounds out those chocolatey flavors.
Topping Ingredients
- Strawberry Ghosts – adorable strawberry ghosts give it that extra spooky appeal. Recipe linked below!
- chocolate sandwich cookies – you can go for the classic Oreo cookies or choose a gluten-free or grain-free paleo crunchy cookie!
- gummy worms – you can find vegan friendly and organic ones, like these delicious organic ones.
- pumpkin candies – optional, but does add to the Halloween decorations for this dessert.
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
How to Make Halloween Dirt Cups
The dirt pudding is as simple as throwing all of your ingredients into a small blender or food processor. This recipe makes enough for 2 cups, which can easily be doubled if serving a large crowd. Or find little shot glass cups and make miniature dirt pudding cups.
MAKE VEGAN DIRT PUDDING
In a small food processor, blend avocados, maple syrup, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, if necessary.
fill dirt cups
Evenly disperse dirt pudding into 6 jars or cups.
TIP: MAKE FOR A HALLOWEEN PARTY
Portion into 2 oz clear plastic cups or individual cups if making this for kids’ Halloween parties.
make cookie dirt
Rinse and dry the food processor cup. Add the chocolate cream sandwich cookies and process into Oreo crumbs. (OR, crush cookies into fine crumbs in a Ziplock bag with a rolling pin.)
Evenly distribute on top of pudding.
make strawberry ghosts
Melt white chocolate and coconut oil in medium microwave-safe bowl on half power in 15 second increments until fully melted. Stir in between.
Dip the strawberries into the bowl of white chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining strawberries.
Find the full recipe and learn how to make chocolate covered strawberry ghosts, linked.
finish with TOPPINGS
Top with gummy worms, pumpkin candies, strawberry ghosts, and other spooky candies. Enjoy these spooky treats!
FOOD ALLERGIES
If working with food allergies, be careful with the cookie ingredients and candy toppings.
Variations
Here are some of my favorite variations for Halloween dirt pudding cups:
- Halloween graveyard dirt cups – make tombstone cookies with Milano cookies following the same method you used to decorate the strawberry ghosts.
- Whipped cream – if all else fails, you can always just top the layers of chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos with Cool Whip.
- Layered pumpkin patch dirt cups – start with the Oreo cookie crumbs at the bottom of each cup, then alternate with a chocolate pudding layer and more crumbs. Finish with pumpkin candies.
- Halloween dirt cake recipe – make it a scoopable dirt dessert by layering the pudding, crumbs, and toppings in a 8×8 inch baking dish. An easy Halloween treat for you dessert table.
What to Serve with Halloween Dessert Cups
Serve these healthy dirt cups alongside some Witch Hat Cookies and a super fun Halloween charcuterie board, AKA charbooterie, for your next Halloween party!
How to Store
Leftover dirt pudding cups can be stored covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The cookie crumbs and toppings will get soft as they sit in the pudding.
Recipe FAQs
Why is it called dirt cake?
Dirt cake, or dirt and worms, is a popular no bake dessert made from layers of pudding, cookie crumb pieces, and gummy worms. It gets its name from the resemblance to soil or earth.
What are dirt cups made of?
Most recipes call for chocolate pudding (usually from instant chocolate pudding mix and cream cheese), crushed Oreos, and gummy worms. But our dirt cups are made with clean, whole food ingredients.
How long is dirt pudding good for?
Dirt pudding can be stored, covered, in the fridge for 3 days. Keep in mind, any cookie crumbs or toppings will soften in the pudding.
What desserts to make for Halloween?
If you are looking for more Halloween desserts, you will love Healthy Peanut Butter Cups and Pumpkin Brownies.
Let me know if you make this Halloween Dirt Pudding recipe by leaving a comment and rating below! It helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
Halloween Dirt Pudding
Ingredients
Dirt Pudding:
- 4 ripe medium avocados, pitted and fleshed
- 1/2 cup maple syrup*, or honey
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup non-dairy milk, I used cashew
- 8 chocolate cream sandwich cookies**, dairy-free or gluten-free if needed
Strawberry Ghosts:
- 1 batch strawberry ghosts, recipe linked
Extra Toppings:
- gummy worms
- pumpkin candies
Instructions
- Lay out all ingredients needed, including jars and toppings for easy assembly. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat; set aside. Read through all instructions first before starting.
Make the Dirt Pudding:
- In a small food processor bowl or blender cup add avocado, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and milk. Blend ingredients until smooth – you may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl or cup a couple of times with a spatula.
- Evenly disperse dirt pudding into 6 jars or cups – use 2oz plastic shooter glasses if serving a crowd.
- Rinse and wipe clean the pudding blender cup.
- Process chocolate cream sandwich cookies for “dirt”. Once the cookies have processed into crumbs, evenly distribute on top of pudding.
Make the strawberry ghosts:
- Melt white chocolate and coconut oil in small saucepan over low heat stirring frequently, until fully melted. If using microwave, use half power, about 15 second increments stirring in between until chocolate is fully melted.
- Carefully dip the strawberries into the bowl of white chocolate until fully covered, then lay on lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the rest of the strawberries.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl on half power, in 10 second increments stirring in between until fully melted.
- Once white chocolate has dried, dip toothpick into dark chocolate and dot on eyes and mouth. Let dry completely, about 15-20 minutes.
Add toppings to dirt pudding:
- Add gummy worms, pumpkin candies, strawberry ghosts and other spooky candies you’d like to the dirt pudding.
- Store in fridge until ready to serve
- Enjoy these spooky treats!
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