I made you some cute little plants.
Just kidding. Did I fool you? It’s okay if I didn’t, you can still tell me I did. 😉
April Fools!
I don’t really know anyone who gets into pranks on April Fool’s Day, thank goodness because I do not handle those kinds of things very well. I would much rather surprise someone with something that doesn’t look like food, but actually is food. Like little potted plants that are secretly full of pudding, ganache, and Oreo crumbs.
Surprise! I fed you something you didn’t think was edible but totally is!
That is my kind of prank right there.
There was this one time my friend Laura and I pulled a prank on my cousins and it might be the only prank I’ve ever attempted.
Each summer, my family takes a trip to the beach. And not just me and my parents, like all of my dad’s side of the family. We used to go to Destin, FL, but one year when I was probably in middle school, there was a hurricane in the Gulf, so we decided to go to Gatlinburg, TN instead. We rented this massive cabin in the mountains and it was awesome. If you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg, you probably know that a ton of people get married there. On our drive up, we passed several cars that said “Just Married” on the back. So, early the morning we left to go home, my friend and I wrote “Just Married” across the back of my cousins’ car. We wrote all their names on the windows and covered it in hearts. And the four of them, all guys, drove home in that car. I was told that they totally rolled with it too, and played it up all the way home.
Have you ever made Dirt before? I hope you have. It’s one of the easiest and tastiest desserts around. Usually it’s made with crushed Oreos and a cream cheese, pudding, Cool Whip mixture. It all gets layered up in a glass bowl and hangs out in the fridge over night. Then the Oreos are soft and so, so good. Almost like cake. You’ve all heard me gush on and on about that before, though.
Some people top it with gummy worms, and somehow I always forget about those.
I got the inspiration for these little Dirt Cups, at least visually, from these Potted Espresso and Caramel Mud Cakes by Sweetapolita. I really wanted to use the chocolate “rocks” she uses, but I couldn’t find them anywhere. I could have ordered them online, but they wouldn’t have been here in time for April Fools. The only other place I know has them for sure is Yogurt Mountain and I was not about to walk in there and by a cup full of their candy toppings. (I totally should have.)
You only need six ingredients to make the “dirt” part of these plants. The glass flower pots are actually tiny candle holders, and I bought them at Michael’s for 99 cents each! I used some plain round candle holders as well, and two glass teacups I bought at the thrift store forever ago. I like the mix-and-match look of these, but you can use whatever shapes you want. This recipe made about 8 pudding cups for me, but it really depends on the size of the cups you use.
Then add couple mint leaves on top and you’re good to go!
ingredients
- 1 3.5oz chocolate fudge pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups Cool Whip
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 package of Oreos (I used Cookie Dough Oreos)
- 7-9 SMALL clear cups or containers
- Mint leaves for garnish
instructions
- Combine pudding mix and milk in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Transfer bowl to the refrigerator so it will thicken up.
- In a two-cup measuring cup or microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips and heavy cream. Microwave for 1 minute, remove, and stir. Place the bowl back in the microwave, heat for 30 seconds, and stir. If the chocolate chips aren't quite melted at this point, let the ganache sit for a few minutes and try stirring again. Set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, pulverize Oreos in batches of 6 or 7. The finer the crumbs, the better. A few lumps are okay though.
- Remove pudding from the refrigerator and fold in Cool Whip. Transfer pudding mixture to a piping bag and cut off a small piece of the tip.
- Transfer cooled ganache to a squeeze bottle, or another piping bag with a tiny tip cut off.
- Spoon Oreo crumbs into the bottom of each glass pot or cup. Pipe a layer of pudding without touching the sides of the pot. (Unless you want the layers to be visible.) Drizzle ganache over the pudding, and cover with another layer of Oreo crumbs, making sure to fill in between the side of the glass and the pudding. Repeat, and end with a layer of crumbs on the top.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
- When you're ready to serve, add the mint leaves and enjoy!
Recipe from bethcakes. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without permission. If you would like to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe. Thank you.
I love these so much, Beth! I haven’t had dirt cups in forever, but will have to make some soon 🙂
Thanks, Megan! They are an old favorite of mine. 🙂
These are great if you are trying to lose weight (I am) and want something sweet, light and tasty. The small size helps justify eating them while dieting. 🙂
Thanks and I’m glad you liked them! I like them small too. Just enough of a sweet snack. 🙂
These are super cute!! If you hadn’t told me they were pudding, I would’ve really thought they were plants!
Thanks, Connie! And good, that’s what I was going for! 🙂
They are ADORABLE! And tasted as good as they looked!
Thanks, glad you liked them! I know they’re one of your favorites. 🙂
How cute are these?! What a fun little April Fool’s treat! I hate pranks so this is perfect for me! Pinning!
Thanks, Cate! These are definitely better than pranks. 🙂
Ah, these are too cute! I get made fun of for loving aesthetically pleasing food, but I don’t think anyone could resist these. Can’t wait to make them and show them off!
Thanks so much, Genevieve! 🙂
Oh my gosh this takes me righttttt back to childhood. My sister and I were obsessed with “dirt” – we always requested it for birthday parties! Although complete with gummy worms of course! : )
Yes, I always made this growing up! Definitely reminds me of my childhood as well. 🙂
These are too cute! This concept is always a lot of fun, but you really made these very elegant too.
Thanks so much, Nora!
Dirt cake was always my favourite as a young kid and I haven’t had it in so long, I need to change that! I love what you’ve done with the little plant pots, these are just absolutely adorable.
Thanks, Katy! I loved these as a kid. You totally need to make them again soon!
This is the cutest post ever Beth! It totally had me and made me laugh. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous – so bright. I could never make “dirt” (even if it is edible) look this great! So funny about the “Just Married” on the car – love it! Pinned!
Thanks, Chelsea! I’m glad it made you laugh, haha. 🙂
I used to love “dirt” desserts as a kid. This post brings back so many memories. I am pretty sure my younger self would have died over this prank… but maybe not as much as my adult self, ha! Love, love, love this so much, Beth. Clever and perfect for Spring!
Thanks, Kathi! It definitely brings back childhood memories for me too!
Dude I hate pranks but I LOVE these dirt cups! They are the prettiest ones I’ve ever seen, Beth!! 😀
Haha, I totally agree with you, Jess. Thanks!!
Beth, these are the cutest little dirt cups I have ever seen!! I haven’t had dirt pudding in SO long, I must make these for Easter brunch…everyone will love them!! Pinned 🙂
Thanks so much, Jenn! If you make these, let me know how they turn out! Thanks for pinning. 🙂
I love this idea so much, Beth, that I might just have shared it everywhere …. lol! Plus, it’s definitely going on Pinterest so that I can make it for my children some day … haha! More like for myself and hubby when we need a good laugh one day next week! Seriously, though, I LOVE this fun idea! So simple and yet it really looks like a plant! Brilliant!
Thank you so much for sharing, Helen! 🙂
I’m so glad that these are really food, and not a joke 🙂 Because they look delicious. I love dirt pudding. The crunchiness of the cookies and the creaminess of the pudding is the perfect combination.
I totally agree with you, Ashley! They are the perfect combo. 🙂
How is EVERYTHING you make so beautiful?! Seriously. Share your tricks. 🙂
I bet these are so so delicious. I used to love these as a kid. Albeit mine were never this pretty.
You’re so sweet! Thanks so much, Graham! 🙂
Beth, these are just darling! They are bringing back a ton of childhood memories (though yours are much classier than my dirt cups topped with gummy worms of yore :). I want to make a whole batch of these to welcome spring!
Hahahah! I haven’t had dirt cups but they look so appealing!! Love how cute these are 😉
This is such a cool and cute idea Beth!
These are SO cute! 🙂 Love the idea
What a great idea, Beth! Love these! Oreo crumbs and pudding? What’s not to love! Awesome photos!
you’ve classed up everyone’s favorite childhood pudding, and that takes some serious props!
I LOVE DIRT CUP!!!!!! It’s the first dessert I remember learning to make as a kid, from my kid’s jello cookbook hahahaha. It still is one of my all-time fave summertime desserts. I could eat an entire batch of the stuff without coming up for air. SO good!
These are the cutest, and most real looking!, little dirt cups I’ve ever seen! 🙂 Great prank girl!
Beth, these are sooooooooo freaking cute! And everything in these little dishes is delicious.