Indulge in a fun twist on a classic mud pie: gummy worms tucked into a creamy chocolate mousse with an Oreo cookie crust. This no-bake dessert is cool, chocolatey, and always the first thing to disappear at family gatherings and potlucks. It’s easy to assemble, kid-friendly to make, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
With an Oreo crust, silky chocolate filling, and a playful topping of gummy worms, this mud pie is perfect for birthdays, summer parties, or any time you want an easy, no-fuss dessert. It keeps well in the refrigerator for several days, though the worms taste best when added right before serving.
Ingredients
- Gummy worms – Fun and colorful, sour or regular varieties both work. Add them right before serving for best texture.
- Cool Whip – Any whipped topping will do. For extra chocolate flavor, try a chocolate whipped cream if available.
- Oreo cookies – Crushed into fine crumbs to form the no-bake crust. Other chocolate sandwich cookies may be substituted.
- Instant pudding mix – A family-sized box of chocolate instant pudding is used for the filling.
- Whole milk – Cold milk is stirred into the pudding mix to create a smooth base.
- Salted butter – Melted or softened, it binds the cookie crumbs into a firm crust.
How to Make a Mud Pie
This dirt cake-style pie comes together quickly and requires no baking, making it a great summer dessert or a project for children to help with.
Step One: Crush 24 Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor. Reserve about 1 cup of crumbs for the topping.
Top Tip
If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine.
Step Two: Add 3 tablespoons of melted or softened salted butter to the crumbs and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Set aside the reserved crumbs for the topping.
Step Three: Press the crumb-and-butter mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a deep-dish glass pie plate to form the crust.
Top Tip
If the crust seems too dry or crumbly, add a bit more butter or a spoonful of hot fudge or chocolate syrup to help it bind and add richness.
Step Four: In a large bowl, whisk together the chocolate instant pudding mix and 2 cups of cold whole milk until smooth.
Step Five: Beat the pudding with an electric mixer or whisk until thickened and creamy. Mixing by hand is fine if you prefer.
Step Six: Gently fold 4 ounces of whipped topping (Cool Whip) into the pudding, taking care not to deflate it so the filling stays light and airy.
Step Seven: Spoon the combined pudding and whipped topping into the prepared Oreo crust, smoothing the top.
Step Eight: Sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbs over the pudding layer. If you prefer crisp crumbs, add them just before serving instead of letting them sit on the pie while it chills.
Step Nine: Cover and chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 hours to set. To speed this up, place the pie in the freezer for about an hour.
Step Ten: Add gummy worms across the top right before serving so they stay chewy and colorful.
Variations
- Mini Mud Pies – Assemble in individual cups for easy serving.
- Vanilla – Swap in Golden Oreos and vanilla pudding for a light twist.
- Butterscotch – Use butterscotch pudding for a sweeter, caramel-like flavor.
- White Chocolate – Try white chocolate instant pudding for a creamy alternative.
- Layered – Layer pudding and whipped topping in a trifle bowl for an attractive presentation.
- Peppermint – Add peppermint extract to the pudding and top with crushed candy canes instead of gummy worms.
- Alternative Candy – Replace gummy worms with gummy dinosaurs, gummy eyeballs, or other seasonal candies.
This recipe is a great base for experimentation—swap cookies, pudding flavors, or toppings to suit your crowd.
Common Questions
Do I need to bake the pie crust before making a mud pie?
No. This recipe uses a no-bake Oreo crust. Some recipes call for prebaking a crust, but it isn’t necessary here.
How long does it take to make a mud pie?
Active assembly takes about 15 minutes. Plan on chilling the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so the filling sets properly.
How long can I store a dirt pie with gummy worms?
Stored covered in the refrigerator, the pie will keep 3–4 days. For best texture, store gummy worms separately and add them just before serving.
📖 Recipe
Mud Pie Recipe with Gummy Worms
Ingredients
- 24 Oreo cookies
- 3 tablespoon salted butter softened or melted
- 5.85 oz chocolate pudding mix family sized box
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 oz whipped topping
- 18 gummy worms
Instructions
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Crush the Oreos in a food processor. Remove 1 cup to reserve for the topping.
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Add butter to the remaining crumbs and pulse until combined.
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Press the crumb mixture into a deep-dish pie plate to form the crust.
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Whisk together the pudding mix and milk until smooth.
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Fold in the whipped topping gently to maintain airiness.
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Spread the pudding mixture into the prepared crust.
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Chill for at least 2 hours, preferably longer or overnight for best texture.
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Top with the reserved crumbs and gummy worms right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published September 18, 2023. Revised and Republished May 15, 2026.