Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups Recipe
Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups are a festive and fun no-bake dessert perfect for Halloween or fall celebrations. Layers of creamy chocolate pudding mixed with whipped topping alternate with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies creating a delicious ‘dirt’ effect. The cups are topped with green-tinted shredded coconut and candy pumpkins to mimic a pumpkin patch, making them visually appealing and delightful to eat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the pudding mixture:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- 1 package regular-size chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), finely crushed
For the decoration:
- Shredded coconut (about 1/2 cup)
- Green food coloring (a few drops)
- Candy pumpkins (enough to top each cup)
- A splash of water (for tinting the coconut)
Instructions
- Crush the Cookies: Begin by crushing the chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs. You can do this by pulsing them in a food processor or placing them in a sealed ziplock bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Set aside for layering.
- Prepare the Chocolate Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and 2 cups of whole milk vigorously for 2 minutes. Let it set for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Fold In Whipped Topping: Once the pudding has set, gently fold in the 8 oz of thawed whipped topping until well combined, creating a light and airy filling.
- Layer the Dirt Cups: Spoon 1 tablespoon of crushed cookies into the bottom of each serving cup. Add a layer of the pudding and whipped topping mixture, then continue layering alternating between crushed cookies and pudding mixture. Finish with a layer of cookie crumbs on top.
- Chill the Dirt Cups: Place the assembled cups in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.
- Color the Shredded Coconut: In a container with a lid, add shredded coconut, a few drops of green food coloring, and a splash of water. Close the lid and shake until the coconut is evenly tinted green to resemble grass.
- Decorate and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle each chilled dirt cup with the green tinted coconut and top with a candy pumpkin for a festive pumpkin patch effect. Serve and enjoy this delightful seasonal treat.
Notes
- Use whole milk for a richer, creamier pudding; low-fat milk can be substituted but will yield a lighter texture.
- For extra flavor and more pronounced ‘grass’, add additional colored shredded coconut as garnish.
- Crushing cookies finely is important to achieve the authentic ‘dirt’ texture.
- Chilling the assembled cups helps the layers set, making them easier to serve and eat.
- These cups can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Keywords: chocolate pumpkin dirt cups, Halloween dessert, no bake dessert, pumpkin patch pudding, chocolate cookie dirt cups, festive fall dessert
