Mummy and Monster Dirt Cups Recipe

If you’re looking to wow the kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) this Halloween season, the Mummy and Monster Dirt Cups Recipe is an absolute must-try. These whimsical treats combine creamy chocolate pudding, crunchy cookie “dirt,” and spooky little mummies and monsters perched on top — it’s basically a party in a cup that everyone goes wild for. I love this recipe because it’s fun to make, easy enough to whip up on a school night, and instantly turns any dessert into a playful, festive masterpiece. Stick with me, and I’ll show you all the tips and tricks to get these just right!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic happens when silky chocolate pudding meets the crunch of crushed cookies and those charming mummies and monsters made from candy-coated shortbread. Here’s everything you need to create the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and spooky.

• Walkers Shortbread Fingers: These buttery cookies make the perfect mummy and monster base because of their shape and texture.
• White candy melts or almond bark: This is what you’ll use to create the mummy wraps; easy to melt and pipe.
• Green candy melts: Perfect for coloring the monster cookies with a fun, creepy vibe.
• Sugar eyeballs: These little guys bring your monsters and mummies to life—don’t skip them!
• Instant chocolate pudding mix: The base for your creamy dirt, easy to prepare with cold milk.
• Cold nonfat milk: Use cold milk for pudding to set perfectly without lumps.
• Crushed chocolate cookies: I recommend Walker’s Scottie Dogs for a rich chocolate “dirt” effect, but any crunchy chocolate cookie works.

Variations

I love how you can make this recipe your own! Whether you’re working around allergies or just want to mix up the theme, there’s a way to tweak these dirt cups to fit your style.

• Non-Dairy Option: I swapped out regular milk for almond or oat milk once and it worked great for the pudding consistency.
• Color Switch-Up: Instead of green candy melts for monsters, I’ve used orange or purple for a different Halloween flair—super fun and eye-catching!
• Healthier Cookies: If you prefer, try whole grain or gluten-free cookies for the “dirt” to suit dietary needs without losing the crunch.
• Extra Toppings: Sometimes I toss mini chocolate chips or rainbow sprinkles on the “dirt” layer for added texture and fun.

How to Make Mummy and Monster Dirt Cups Recipe

Step 1: Create Your Mummies and Monsters

First things first, get your scary little creatures ready! Lay your Walkers Shortbread Fingers on parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet—this keeps everything tidy. Melt your white and green candy melts separately according to the package directions. If the candy is a bit thick, add a teaspoon of shortening or oil to smooth it out—that’s a trick I discovered after some failed piping attempts.

Transfer the melted candy to sandwich bags, snip a tiny corner, and pipe the candy onto the cookies. For mummies, go with white candy and zigzag to mimic bandages. For monsters, coat the cookie in green and add some fun details—maybe little claws or fur-like lines. Don’t forget to stick your sugar eyeballs on before the candy sets—you want those eyes to pop!

Pop the tray into the fridge for about an hour so the candy sets firm. I’ve learned that patience here means you won’t ruin the delicate decorations when assembling the cups later.

Step 2: Whip Up the Chocolate Pudding “Dirt”

While your spooky cookies chill, mix up the pudding. Just follow the instant chocolate pudding box instructions: whisk the dry pudding mix with cold nonfat milk until smooth and thick. It sets up quickly, usually within a few minutes. For best success, whisk vigorously to avoid lumps – I usually use a hand whisk and keep at it until it feels velvety smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Dirt Cups

Grab your serving cups (either glass or plastic if you want to make cleanup easy). Start by spooning in a generous layer of pudding. Then top with a thick layer of crushed chocolate cookies to create the “dirt.” Here’s where the magic comes in: gently nestle a mummy or monster cookie on top of each cup. The crunch of cookies combined with the creamy pudding is the ultimate treat.

Save the unassembled cups in the fridge and only add the decorated cookies just before serving to keep the mummies and monsters crisply intact.

How to Serve Mummy and Monster Dirt Cups Recipe

Garnishes

My favorite garnish is adding a little extra sugar eyeball or two peeking out of the cookie dirt, just to amp up the creepy effect. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter for some “magic dust” sparkle or toss a few mini chocolate chips on top of the dirt layer for a little crunch contrast.

Side Dishes

I usually serve these with a light snack like apple slices dipped in peanut butter or a simple fruit salad — that way the dessert remains the star without too much heaviness on the side. Plus, fresh fruit balances out the sweetness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

One time, I used mini clear mason jars and tied a little orange ribbon around each for a festive touch at a kids’ party. Another idea is layering the pudding, cookie dirt, and crushed candy corn for colorful layers beneath the mummies and monsters. If you’re feeling extra crafty, use small cookie cutters to cut the shortbread fingers into bats or witches for themed parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store the pudding and cookie layers in sealed cups in the fridge for up to 2 days, but remember to keep the decorated shortbread cookies separate to preserve their crunch and appearance. When you’re ready to serve, add the mummies and monsters fresh — they’ll look and taste their best this way.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing assembled dirt cups because the pudding texture changes, and your cookie toppers might get soggy once thawed. However, you can freeze the individual shortbread cookies (uncoated) for up to a month and decorate them after thawing for fresh treats anytime.

Reheating

Since these are served cold and rely on creamy pudding, reheating isn’t necessary. I like to prep everything chilled for maximum freshness and texture. If you happen to store assembled cups a bit too long, just stir the pudding gently to restore smoothness before serving.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Mummy and Monster Dirt Cups Recipe brings a bit of magic and fun to any Halloween gathering. When I first made these, my whole family went crazy for both the look and the taste — especially the kids who loved helping decorate the cookies. The best part? It’s so easy and doesn’t require any fancy baking skills, which means you get to enjoy more time with your loved ones instead of stressing in the kitchen. Give this a try and watch your dessert table transform into a spooky delight that everyone will keep asking for year after year!

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