Dirt Pudding: An Easy and Fun Dessert!

Are you looking for a delightful activity to do with your kids that involves both cooking and creativity? Look no further than making Dirt Pudding together! This easy and fun recipe is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. It’s something I remember to this day as the “cool dessert” of childhood. If someone brought dirt pudding, it was a party. It was both delicious and fun, especially if there were gummy worms involved! Now, as an adult, my philosophy on dirt pudding hasn’t really changed. It’s still a party if they’re dirt pudding involved, and it’s still both delicious and fun.

Ingredients:

– 1 package (about 3.9 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

– 2 cups cold milk

– 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

– 1/4 cup butter, softened

– 1 cup powdered sugar

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– 12 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

– 1 package (14.3 ounces) chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreo cookies)

– Gummy worms (optional, for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pudding:

   – In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk until thickened. Set it aside to allow it to set further.

2. Prepare the Cream Mixture:

   – In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

3. Combine Pudding and Cream Mixtures:

   – Gently fold the prepared pudding mixture into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.

4. Add Whipped Topping:

   – Carefully fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

5. Crush the Cookies:

   – Place the chocolate sandwich cookies in a large zip-top bag and crush them using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass until they resemble dirt.

6. Assemble the Dirt Pudding:

   – In individual serving cups or a large serving bowl, layer the pudding mixture and crushed cookies alternately, starting and ending with the crushed cookies. This creates the “dirt” layers.

7. Decorate:

   – If desired, place gummy worms on top of the pudding to make it look like a garden or assemble in a (clean) kids sand pail.

8. Chill and Serve:

   – Refrigerate the assembled dirt pudding for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

9. Enjoy the Fun:

   – Serve chilled and enjoy the deliciousness of your homemade dirt pudding with your kids!

Why Make Dirt Pudding with Kids?

Making dirt pudding isn’t just about creating a tasty dessert. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bond with your children over a shared activity. Here are a few reasons why making this dessert is perfect for family fun in our house:

– Creativity: Kids can get creative with decorating their individual servings of dirt pudding, making each one unique.

– Learning Experience: They can learn basic cooking skills like measuring, mixing, and layering ingredients. This recipe is pretty forgiving, so if they accidentally dump too much or too little, there’s no need to panic or have them worried they ruined the whole thing.

– Quality Time: It’s a chance to spend quality time together, away from screens, and enjoy each other’s company.

– Sensory Play: Crushing cookies and assembling layers also provides a sensory experience that younger children especially enjoy.

So, gather your ingredients, set aside some time, and get ready to make memories with your kids as you create and enjoy this delicious dessert together. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a fun weekend activity, making dirt pudding will surely be a hit with your little chefs! Perfect to bring to a backyard BBQ or enjoy as a dessert at home this is a recipe the whole family will love!

Happy cooking and bonding! 🍫🍨