Dairy Free Dirt Cups
Let’s celebrate Earth Day by making these super easy, dairy-free dirt cups featuring delicious layers of creamy chocolate pudding and chocolate cookie crumbs topped with adorable gummy worms.
My husband and kids absolutely love this and I’ve made it several times. My youngest has anaphylaxis to milk, so I’m always on the hunt for great DF recipes! So happy to come across this recipe.
Why you’ll love these dairy free dirt cups
For Earth Day this year, I wanted to make something simple, but fun and classic dirt dessert immediately came to mind. Who didn’t love dirt dessert as a kid? These dairy free dirt cups are so easy, and they’re guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
To make them dairy free, I used a basic dairy free pudding recipe, with just a few simple ingredients – dairy free milk, cornstarch, sugar and chocolate chips. Once the pudding was nice and thick, I layered it with crushed sandwich cookies and gummy worms.
For all the chocolate lovers out there, I have tons of dairy free chocolate recies. You have to try my dairy free chocolate cake – it’s a staple in our house. But I know you’ll also love my chocolate lava cakes, and if you’ve never tried chocolate sorbet before, you are missing out.
Searching for more dairy free pudding recipes? My vegan banana pudding and salted chocolate pudding are definitely recipes you should check out. Plus, these dairy free cheesecake pudding cups are a fabulous, dairy free alternative for cheesecake!
Ingredients & substitutions
- Dairy free milk – As always you can use whatever style of dairy free milk you would like, just make sure to opt for unsweetened. I used Good Karma Flaxmilk+ Protein for this recipe, but I’ve also used almond and oat milk and both work well.
- Dairy free chocolate chips – Look for high-quality, dairy-free chocolate chips, the higher quality chocolates are made with better quality ingredients, which will help your pudding cups turn out smooth and creamy. I used semi-sweet Guittard chocolate chips for this recipe.
- Chocolate sandwich cookies – I’ve used both Oreos and the Newman’s Own version for this. Most brands of these cookies will be dairy free, but I still recommend checking labels to be sure.
- Gummy worms – Regular gummy worms are dairy free, but not all gummy worms are vegan, so opting for gelatin-free gummy worms ensures that your dessert remains entirely plant-based while still keeping with the fun and festive theme!
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make these dairy free dirt cups
Make the pudding. In your saucepan without the heat on, whisk the dry ingredients with your milk until smooth. Turn the heat to medium and allow the milk to warm up. Then, stir in your chocolate chips, and whisk until the chocolate chips have melted. Continue to whisk or stir the pudding until it thickens. You’ll know when it’s done when the pudding easily coats the back of a spoon.
Assemble and chill. Transfer the pudding to serving containers – I used these stackable wine glasses – layering with crushed cookies until the cups are fill. Cover and chill for a few hours (ideally about 4).
Top with gummy worms. I don’t recommend putting your gummy worms in the fridge. In my opinion, it makes them a little too hard to chew, so I wait to add them until just before serving.
More kid-friendly, dairy-free recipe ideas. s’mores brownie cupcakes / chocolate chip ice cream / sprinkle cookies / cookies and cream oreo cupcakes
Dairy Free Dirt Cups
Description
Let’s celebrate Earth Day by making these super easy, dairy-free dirt cups featuring delicious layers of creamy chocolate pudding and chocolate cookie crumbs topped with adorable gummy worms.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dairy free milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Small pinch of coarse salt
- 12 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed into crumbs
Instructions
- Combine milk, sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
- Heat over medium until warm. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Whisk or stir until chocolate chips have melted.
- Continue to heat until pudding has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Divide the pudding between cups, layering with crushed cookie crumbs.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours to allow pudding to set.
- Top with gummy worms before serving.
I unfortunately do not like chocolate, so I personally haven’t tried it…BUT! My husband and kids absolutely love this and I’ve made it several times. My youngest has anaphylaxis to milk, so I’m always on the hunt for great DF recipes! So happy to come across this recipe.