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Pumpkin Dirt Pudding Cups: Easy No-Bake Fall Dessert

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These no-bake Pumpkin Dirt Pudding Cups are a fun and festive fall dessert with layers of creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling and crunchy chocolate cookie ‘dirt’. Perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, or a cozy night in, they’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (100% pure pumpkin)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup cold milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (cream removed, just wafers)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip, thawed)
  • Gummy worms (for decoration)
  • Optional: small pumpkin-shaped candies or candy corn

Instructions

  1. Make the cookie dirt: Place the chocolate wafer cookies (cream removed) in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they’re fine crumbs. Or pulse them in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl, stir in the melted butter, and set aside.
  2. Beat the cream cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
  3. Add the pumpkin and flavorings: Add the pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until well combined and silky.
  4. Prepare the pudding: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the cold milk and instant vanilla pudding mix together for about 2 minutes until it thickens. Let it sit for a minute to fully set.
  5. Combine the mixtures: Add the thickened pudding to the pumpkin-cream cheese mixture. Beat on low speed until just combined. Fold in the whipped topping gently with a spatula until no white streaks remain.
  6. Assemble the cups: In small cups or clear plastic cups, start with a layer of the pumpkin pudding mixture (about 2 tablespoons). Add a layer of the cookie crumbs (about 1 tablespoon). Repeat layers until you reach the top, ending with a cookie crumb layer.
  7. Chill: Cover the cups with plastic wrap or lids and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  8. Decorate: Just before serving, press a couple of gummy worms into the top of each cup. Add optional pumpkin candies. Serve cold.

Notes

Room temperature cream cheese is essential to avoid lumps. Crush cookies finely for a ‘dirt’ texture. Chilling time is crucial for the layers to set. Add gummy worms just before serving to keep them firm. For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sugar-free pudding mix. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and almond milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin dirt pudding cups, no-bake fall dessert, pumpkin dessert, dirt cake, Halloween dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, easy pumpkin recipe

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/pumpkin-dirt-pudding-cups-easy-no-bake-fall-dessert/