Kids will love these Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes that are a fun twist on the traditional dirt pudding dessert!
Dirt Pudding cups were one of my favorites growing up, and it's such a fun dessert to celebrate Earth Day! These Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes are a fun twist on that classic kid's treat, but in cupcake form. They are so simple to make that even the kids can help put them together! Topped with a decadent chocolate frosting, cookie "dirt", and gummy worms, these fudgy cupcakes are the perfect dessert for Earth Day, summer, or birthday parties.
Follow the recipe below to mix up the chocolate cupcake batter. Use a large scoop to fill cupcake liners about ¾ full and bake according to recipe directions. Once baked, allow cupcakes to completely cool on a wire rack.
Follow the directions below to whip up the decadent chocolate frosting. Add the frosting into a piping bag with a 2D decorating tip. Starting in the center of a cupcake, use a steady, even, and gentle pressure to squeeze frosting in a circular motion to cover the surface of the cupcakes.
Crush Oreos (by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor) into fine crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs over each of the cupcakes for a nice layer of "dirt".
Gently press a colorful gummy worm into the frosting on each of the cupcakes. Isn't this bunch of dirt cupcakes the cutest thing ever? Kids (of all ages) just can't resist them!
Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¾ cups cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cups milk
- ¾ cups warm water
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Cupcake Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Line a cupcake pan with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Add in liquid ingredients and combine well for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling approximately ⅔ - ¾ full.
- Bake 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 Tablespoon heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Directions:
- Using a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until smooth.
- Add the heavy cream, salt, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Increase mixing speed to medium until the frosting is light and fluffy.
*If mixture is too thick, add in a bit of heavy cream and mix again, or add in more powdered sugar until you get desired consistency. - Scoop frosting into a piping bag with a star decorating tip.
Cupcake Decoration Ingredients:
- 20 Oreo cookies, creme removed
- 12 gummy worms
Cupcake Decorating Directions:
- Crush Oreos (by hand, with a rolling pin, or by food processor) into fine crumbs.
- Generously sprinkle cookie crumbs over the top of the frosted cupcakes to create a layer of "dirt".
- Gently press a gummy worm into the frosting on top of the cupcake.
Tips:
- Storage: Refrigerate cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months! Be sure that the cupcakes are completely cool, unfrosted, and are wrapped well in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. Before frosting and serving, thaw cupcakes in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours at room temperature.
I'm so excited to make a bunch of Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes for our summer parties, and hope you try them for yourself! Not only are they adorable, 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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