Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creative Presentation: The adorable “carrot” topping adds a playful touch, making these pudding cups both delicious and visually appealing.
- Rich Chocolate Pudding: A creamy, homemade chocolate pudding serves as the perfect base, offering indulgent flavor and texture.
- Fun and Interactive: These cups are fun to assemble, especially with kids, making it a perfect project for family baking.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Pudding:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 6 oz good quality semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- 15 strawberries, rinsed and dried thoroughly
- 1, 12-oz bag of orange candy melts
- 10 Oreos, crushed into crumbs
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
-
Make the Chocolate Pudding:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Slowly add the milk, stirring to combine until smooth.
- Heat the mixture over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent clumping. Once the mixture begins to thicken, add the chocolate and continue stirring for about 5 minutes, until fully melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour the pudding mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
- Divide the pudding evenly into individual cups, filling them about three-quarters of the way. Refrigerate the cups for 2-3 hours to allow the pudding to fully set.
-
Prepare the Carrot Decoration:
- While the pudding sets, line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Place the orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until the candy melts are smooth and fully melted.
- Dip each strawberry into the orange candy melts, covering them up to the green part of the strawberry. Place the dipped strawberries onto the wax paper.
- After dipping all strawberries, drizzle some more melted candy on top of each strawberry for a striped, carrot-like effect.
- Refrigerate the dipped strawberries for about 5 minutes to let the candy coating set completely.
-
Assemble the Dirt Pudding Cups:
- Once the pudding has set, sprinkle a generous layer of Oreo crumbs on top of each cup to create the “dirt” effect.
- Carefully place one dipped strawberry into each pudding cup, pushing it down about halfway. The strawberry will look like a cute carrot growing out of the “dirt.”
- Store the cups in the fridge until ready to serve.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 2-3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Variations
- Nuts and Seeds: Add crushed almonds or sunflower seeds on top of the pudding for an added texture and a fun, crunchy layer.
- Flavored Pudding: Use vanilla pudding instead of chocolate to give the cups a lighter flavor. You could also experiment with adding a little cinnamon or orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Alternative Decorations: If you’re not keen on dipping strawberries, you can use orange fondant or candy melts shaped like carrots to decorate the cups.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep the pudding cups refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: These pudding cups are meant to be served chilled and do not require reheating.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pudding instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use pre-made chocolate pudding if you’re short on time, but the homemade pudding gives these cups a creamier, richer texture.
Can I make these pudding cups in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pudding and decorate the strawberries a day before serving, and just assemble them when you’re ready to serve.
How do I make the “dirt” layer with Oreos?
Simply crush the Oreos into small crumbs by placing them in a zip-top bag and using a rolling pin or food processor.
Can I use a different candy for the “carrots”?
Orange-colored candy melts are perfect for this recipe, but you can use orange frosting or even colored chocolate if preferred.
How can I make the strawberry “carrots” last longer?
You can keep the dipped strawberries in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, but they should be used within 2 days for the best flavor and texture.
Can I use chocolate chips for the pudding?
Yes, using good-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate will work perfectly in this pudding recipe.
Can I make these dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute the whole milk with a dairy-free milk alternative like almond milk or coconut milk. Use dairy-free chocolate as well.
How can I make this dessert healthier?
You could use a lower-sugar pudding recipe or swap the Oreos with crushed graham crackers or a healthier granola option.
Can I freeze these pudding cups?
While the pudding itself can be frozen, the strawberry “carrots” might not hold up well in the freezer. It’s best to assemble the cups fresh, but you can make the pudding ahead and freeze it.
Can I serve these pudding cups in a large bowl instead of individual cups?
Yes, you can assemble the pudding in a large bowl and decorate with the strawberries on top for a fun, communal dessert.
Conclusion
Carrot Patch Dirt Pudding Cups are an imaginative and delicious treat that brings fun to any springtime occasion. With a rich, homemade chocolate pudding base, crunchy Oreo “dirt,” and adorable strawberry “carrots,” these cups are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or just looking for a playful dessert, these dirt pudding cups are a fantastic option that will delight both kids and adults alike. Enjoy!
Carrot Patch Dirt Pudding Cups Recipe
Celebrate spring or Easter with these Carrot Patch Dirt Pudding Cups—a fun and adorable dessert featuring creamy chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos as dirt, and orange candy-coated strawberries to mimic carrots. These pudding cups are a creative, kid-friendly treat that will delight guests with their playful design and delicious flavor. Perfect for any spring gathering, they combine indulgent chocolate pudding with a fresh and fun twist!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Pudding:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 6 oz good quality semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- 15 strawberries, rinsed and dried thoroughly
- 1, 12-oz bag of orange candy melts
- 10 Oreos, crushed into crumbs
Instructions
Make the Chocolate Pudding:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
- Slowly add milk, stirring to combine until smooth.
- Heat the mixture over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent clumping.
- Once the mixture thickens, add chocolate and stir for about 5 minutes until fully melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
- Pour the pudding through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
- Divide pudding evenly into individual cups, filling about three-quarters of the way. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to set.
Prepare the Carrot Decoration:
- Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
- Place orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval until smooth.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted candy melts, covering up to the green part of the strawberry. Place on the wax paper.
- After dipping, drizzle a bit of additional melted candy over the strawberries for a striped, carrot-like effect.
- Refrigerate for 5 minutes to let the candy coating set completely.
Assemble the Dirt Pudding Cups:
- Once the pudding has set, sprinkle a generous layer of crushed Oreos on top to create the “dirt.”
- Carefully place one dipped strawberry into each pudding cup, pushing it down about halfway to resemble a carrot growing out of the “dirt.”
- Store the cups in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- Alternative Decorations: Use orange fondant or candy melts shaped like carrots if you’re not keen on dipping strawberries.
- Nuts & Seeds: Add crushed almonds or sunflower seeds for extra texture.
- Flavored Pudding: For a twist, use vanilla pudding or add a bit of cinnamon or orange zest.
