Here’s a divine and delightful take on a classic treat: moist, fluffy chocolate cupcakes with a rich creamy frosting, topped with oreo crumb ‘dirt’ and a cute gummy worm!
Perfect for both kids and adults alike, this recipe takes the simplicity of cake box mix and elevates it to a whole new level of fun.
Why the kids (and you!) will love these delicious Oreo crumb cupcakes
I’m not really the box mix type, to the point of being a bit snobbish about it to be honest. (Is it really baking?!)
But, needs must! If you need a sweet treat in a pinch that’ll wow the kids, these dirt cupcakes will save the day!
They’re sooo simple!
Grab some cake box mix and instant pudding mix and you’ll have the cupcakes in the oven super quick and can get prepping the frosting and toppings.
Perfect for little ones to make or help with
This simple box and pudding mix recipe allows plenty of time to spend decorating – the kids will love to get involved. They’ll have so much fun crushing the Oreos, sprinkling the dirt and adding the playful gummy worms atop the edible “garden”.
Made with cake box mix, but still moist & delicious!
Cupcakes and cakes made with box mix tend to be dry. This is easily overcome by adding pudding to the cupcake mix, resulting in a moist and rich cupcake.
Trust me, everyone will be asking for this chocolate cupcake with pudding mix recipe!
Craving more baked goods and treats?
Try these:
- Strawberry Cake Balls
- Cheats Sourdough Bread Blueberry French Toast Muffins
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Mini Apple Hand Pies
- 2 Banana Choc Chip Banana Bread Recipe
What Does Adding Pudding To Cake Mix Do?
Adding instant pudding into a box cake mix results in a far superior baked cupcake, enhancing the texture, flavor, and moistness. While box mix cakes tend to be dry and underwhelming, this cake mix and pudding recipe is such a crowdpleaser!
It’s the modified starch in the pudding mix that helps retain the moisture while keeping a soft and light texture.
Pudding also adds an additional layer of flavor to the cake. So adding chocolate pudding to a chocolate cake mix, as in this dirt cake recipe, intensifies the chocolate flavor. Yum!
Key Ingredients
Cake mix pudding cupcake ingredients:
- Chocolate cake mix + additional ingredients (water, oil, eggs) as per box instructions
- Chocolate instant pudding mix
Frosting ingredients:
- butter
- cream cheese
- powdered sugar
- cocoa powder
- milk
- vanilla extract
- salt
Toppings:
- Oreo cookies
- Gummy worms
Outline Steps
In a large mixing bowl, add instant pudding mix to cake mix. Mix the two dry ingredients together.
Then, as per box instructions, add additional ingredients (eggs, oil and water).
Fill your cupcake liners 1/2 to 2/3 full at most otherwise they may overflow when baking.
Bake according to box directions.
NB: Be careful not to over-fill the cupcakes, 1/2-2/3 full at the most. This batter is thick, it can help to tap the cupcake pan on the counter to even out the batter inside the cups.
Prepare frosting and toppings while cupcakes are baking and cooling.
Decorate and enjoy!
Tips For Making These Dirt Cake Mix Pudding Cupcakes
Be careful not to over-fill the cupcakes, 1/2-2/3 full at the most otherwise they may overflow.
This batter is thick, so it can help to tap the cupcake pan on the counter to even out the batter inside the cups.
For more Halloween-themed recipes:
Check these:
- Pumpkin Cupcake Cones
- Healthy Halloween Fruit Kabobs
- Deliciously Spooky Halloween Noodle Bowl
- Halloween Graveyard Candy Bark
- Homemade Halloween Candy
- Halloween Magic Cookie Bars
- Oreo Cookie Mummy Pops
And for more recipe ideas try:
- 55 Easy Halloween Treats For Kids
- 13 Fun Halloween Brownie Ideas
- 35 Easy FRUITY Halloween Snacks
- 35+ Spookily Easy No Bake Halloween Recipes
Preparing Ahead & Storage etc
If you want to get ahead you can make the cupcakes in advance, allow to cook before popping into a freezer bag and placing in the freezer.
You can also make the frosting ahead of time and store in the fridge until needed. Just allow to get to room temperature before piping.
Crush the oreos and store in a sealed freezer bag until needed.
Once made and assembled, these dirt cupcakes will keep in an airtight container for a few days, but I doubt they’ll be around for that long!
Chocolate Dirt Cupcakes with Oreo Crumbs & Gummy worms
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredientes
- 1 box chocolate cake mix + ingredients from the back of the box water, oil, eggs
- 1 3.9 oz. box of chocolate instant pudding mix
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2-3 tbsp. milk
Toppings
- 30 Oreo cookies cream removed, crushed
- 24 gummy worms
Instructions
Cupcake Instructions
- Add the instant pudding mix to the cupcake mixture and stir together in a large mixing bowl.
- Now follow the directions on the cake mix box, adding eggs, oil and water and then baking. Don't overfill cupcake liners. See notes below.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
Frosting & Topping Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the vanilla, salt, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Mix until well combined.
- As the frosting starts to thicken, add the milk, 1 tbsp. at a time, until your frosting reaches a consistency that will hold its shape, but can still be piped onto the cakes.
- Pipe the chocolate frosting onto the cakes, then sprinkle the Oreo cookie crumbs over top of the frosting.
- Top each cake with a gummy worm.
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