Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups

These easy Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups are a spooky AND sweet treat that the kids will love!

There's nothing quite like Halloween party treats! These Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups are SO simple to make, and it's definitely a recipe that the kids can help with. These layered cups start with a decadent chocolate cupcake frosted with velvety chocolate pudding frosting, and topped crushed Oreo "dirt"! The addition of a cookie "tombstone" and wriggly gummy worms create a graveyard scene that make it extra spooky for any Halloween gathering.

What makes this Halloween treat extra simple is using a boxed cake mix! I have a few tricks to make a boxed cake mix even better, so be sure to check out the recipe below to get the full ingredient list.

Mix up the cupcake batter until all of the ingredients are combined. If you're feeling creative, you can add in additional surprises, like chocolate chips, nuts, or marshmallows. Use a large scoop to fill cupcake liners about ¾ full and bake according to recipe directions. Once baked, cool completely on a wire rack.

To assemble the Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups, you will need these supplies and ingredients: clear 9 oz disposable cups, cooled chocolate cupcakes, chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, milano cookies, and gummy worms.

Lay out 24 milano cookies. Fill a piping bag with black royal icing or use black decorating gel to write "RIP", "EEK", "BOO", or anything else you would want the headstones to say. Set them aside.

The Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups are easy to assemble - even the kids can help!

Start by putting a cupcake (without the liner) into the bottom of a clear 9 oz disposable cup. Top the cupcake with a heaping spoonful of chilled chocolate pudding. Stick one of the cookie "tombstones" about halfway into the pudding, making sure it stands upright. Place the ends of a few gummy worms into the pudding, and drape the opposite ends on the rim of the cup. Lastly, sprinkle 1-2 spoonfuls of Oreo crumbs over the top, covering the pudding layer.

Serve immediately, or keep them refrigerated until serving time, and be sure to include a spoon or a fork!

Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups

Servings: 24

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 16 minutes

Cupcake Ingredients:

• 15 oz devil’s food cake mix
• 3.9 oz instant chocolate pudding mix, dry
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup canola oil
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla

Cupcake Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325℉. Lightly grease a muffin tin or fill with liners. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk dry ingredients together.
3. Add in remaining ingredients combine with a hand mixer until the batter is smooth.
4. Use a large scoop to fill cupcake liners about ¾ full.
5. Bake the cupcakes for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Move cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Pudding Ingredients:

• 5 oz instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 7 oz Cool Whip, thawed

Chocolate Pudding Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chocolate pudding mix and milk.
2. Place mixture in the fridge to set for at least 5 minutes.
3. Fold in thawed Cool Whip until combined.
4. Store in refrigerator until ready for use.

Graveyard Dirt Cup Decorations:

• 24 milano cookies
• Black decorating icing/gel
• Gummy worms
• 1 package Oreos

Graveyard Dirt Cup Directions:

1. Crush Oreos (by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor) into fine crumbs. Set aside.
2. Use the black decorating icing/gel to write RIP, EEK, or BOO on the top of each milano cookie. Set aside.
3. Set out 24 clear 9 oz disposable cups.
4. Remove the liners from the cupcakes and place them in the bottom of the cups.
5. Scoop a heaping spoonful of the pudding mixture on top of the cupcake.
6. Place a milano cookie "tombstone" into the pudding layer, making sure to keep it standing upright.
7. Set the ends of a few gummy worms into the chocolate pudding mix, and lay the opposite end on the rim of the cup.
8. Sprinkle a heaping spoonful of crushed Oreos on top to create the “dirt”.
9. Serve immediately with a fork or spoon.

Tips: 

• Storage: Refrigerate cupcakes in an airtight container for two to three days.
• Substitutions: Switch out the cookies and worms for pumpkin candies to make a pumpkin patch dirt cup, or add candy eyeballs for a spooky treat.
• Variations: Use Peeps marshmallow candies for Easter; use Golden Oreos, vanilla pudding (dyed blue) and gummy bears for a beach-themed, summertime treat!

I'm so excited to make a bunch of Halloween Graveyard Dirt Cups for our Halloween parties, and hope you try them for yourself! Not only are they fun and simple to make, but they are SO yummy and the kids love them!! If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!

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