These Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes are super fun to make and delicious to eat! Easy to whip up using your favorite chocolate cake mix, topped with a chocolate cream cheese frosting, Oreo cookie crumbs, and any type of gummy worms.
The perfect sweet treat to whip up with kids and can be enjoyed for so many occasions - like Halloween party, a fun garden or bug-themed party, or anytime you get a craving for something chocolatey & sweet!
What more can you ask for delicious chocolate cupcakes & sprinkled with fun to boot?
Why We Love This Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes Recipe!
- Easy Recipe - Using the convenience of a boxed cake mix along with the decadence of homemade icing this recipe gives you an easy semi-homemade dessert.
- Fun, Festive & Perfect for any time of the year - Decorate with matching theme or holiday colors and decor for an all-year-round dessert.
- Everyone loves them! - Who doesn't love chocolate and a little delicious fun? Kids and adults alike enjoy this delicious dessert cupcake.
Growing up we always had bake sales and potlucks at church. Aunt Carol always made a fun dirt pudding cake. That recipe for Oreo dirt cake was served in a flower pot and had creamy chocolate pudding, a wonderful crunchy cookie topping, and gummy worms sticking out of the top (but never enough gummy worms to go around). It was always a big hit and always every bit of it was eaten up.
These cupcakes are just as delicious. Individual chocolate dirt cakes and no one has to fight to get a fun gummy worm!
Here's what you will need!
Ingredient Notes
How to make Gummy Worm Dirt Cupcakes
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!
Step 1 | Make Cupcake Batter, Bake, & Let Cool
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Mix together the chocolate cake mix according to package directions and fill a muffin tin with cupcake liners and pour in the cupcake batter.
Bake cupcakes and cool completely.
Step 2 | Make Homemade Cream Cheese Icing
Melt the chocolate chips and set them aside.
With an electric mixer cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Then add the melted chocolate and mi. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter.
Then add the cocoa powder and mix until it is fully incorporated. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix as needed.
Add in the vanilla extract and give it one more mix. Set aside.
Step 3 | Make Dirt Topping, Frost Cupcakes, & Decorate with Gummy Worms
Pulse Oreos in a food processor until you get fine crumbs (no need to remove the centers).
If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a zip lock bag and crush it with a rolling pin until you get crumbs.
Frosting the top of the dirt cupcakes either using a piping bag or by spooning the frosting on.
Dip each cupcake into the bowl of crushed Oreo crumbs or sprinkle one or two spoonfuls of Oreo dirt on top.
Place a gummy worm on top of each. You can use whole worms or cut them in half and just stick the cut side into the frosting a bit so it sticks and looks as if they are coming out of the dirt.
Tips
- Be sure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature so the frosting is smooth and lump-free.
- If you want to skip the homemade frosting, you can buy already prepared frosting and make this even easier. The icing comes together really quickly however this can be a timesaving option.
- You do not need a piping bag for the frosting - you may also put the chocolate icing in a plastic bag and cut one of the corners to pipe on or just use a spoon or knife to spread it on top of the cupcake. After all, it's going to be covered in the dirt anyway!
- All oven temperatures vary so be mindful the first time you bake. You want a wooden pick to come out with a few crumbs. Don't overbake so that you will have a nice moist cupcake.
Step 4 | Enjoy this Fun Treat
Be creative and enjoy this fun dessert!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they can! Use Black Forest Gummy Worms or any gluten-free brand, a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, most chocolate chips are also gluten-free, just be sure to check your packaging.
It is easy to swap out sugar substitute products in this recipe to make a sugar-free dessert. Use a sugar-free cake mix, cookies, and even gummy worms(Albanese gummy worms has a sugar-free version). Just grab sugar substitute powdered sugar as well.
Variations
Useful Kitchen Equipment
- Cupcake Pans - USA pans are my favorite. They don't stick and bake the most beautiful cupcake and muffing.
- Wilton Tip & Piping Bags
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Quality Cupcake Liners
Storage Tips
Since this cupcake is made with cream cheese frosting I recommend keeping them in the refrigerator. They are freshest if eaten within 2 days but can be stored up to 4 days. They just tend to dry out a little after 48 hours.
Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 days. A cupcake holder works well and keeps them fresher longer.
Make Ahead: If you want to make the cupcakes ahead you can keep them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. You can also wrap them tightly and freeze them for up to 3 months. Remove from freezer and let come to room temperature and frost and serve.
Freeze: Likewise, you can wrap and freeze the whole cupcake, just remove them the day before and defrost them in the fridge.
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Gummy Work Dirt Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 box Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix, (plus ingredients needed on package: 3 Eggs, 1 ¼ cup water or milk, ½ vegetable oil)
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips, melted
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened - this can be salted or unsalted with ⅛ teaspoon salt added to recipe
- 8 ounces cream cheese block , softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups powder sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Toppings
- 15 Oreo Cookies, crushed
- 1-2 packs gummy worms of your choice
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two cupcake/muffin pans with paper liners. Then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the cake mix as per box instructions, being careful not to overmix. You can use whole milk or even chocolate milk in place of water to make the cupcakes for even more flavor.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir with a spoon and place it back in the microwave for another 15 seconds if needed, stirring in between, until it is melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it as it will dry out the chocolate. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl using a stand or handheld mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Then add the melted chocolate and mix until it is well incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter. Then add the cocoa powder and mix again until it is fully incorporated. Make sure to scrape down the sides and mix as needed. Add in the vanilla extract and give it one more mix. Set aside.
Oreo Topping
- Place Oreos into the food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. No need to remove the centers. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a zip lock bag and crush it with a rolling pin until you get crumbs. Place into a bowl and set aside.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, you can decorate! You can spoon the frosting on top or use a piping bag. I used a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 1M tip. Dip each cupcake into the bowl of crushed Oreo crumbs or sprinkle one or two spoonfuls of Oreo dirt on top. Place a gummy worm on top of each. You can use whole worms or cut them in half and just stick the cut side into the frosting a bit so it sticks and looks as if they are coming out of the dirt.
- Have fun and get creative with it. Enjoy!
Video
✱ Nikki's Tips
- Be sure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature so the frosting is smooth and lump-free.
- If you want to skip the homemade frosting, you can buy already prepared frosting and make this even easier. The icing comes together really quickly however this can be a timesaving option.
- You do not need a piping bag for the frosting - you may also put the chocolate icing in a plastic bag and cut one of the corners to pipe on or just use a spoon or knife to spread it on top of the cupcake. After all, it's going to be covered in the dirt anyway!
- All oven temperatures vary so be mindful the first time you bake. You want a wooden pick to come out with a few crumbs. Don't overbake so that you will have a nice moist cupcake.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Jyoti Behrani says
YUM! My kids loved these cupcakes! Great recipe for this time of the year!
Dana says
These are awesome. They are so nostalgic and remind me so much of the dirt pies we made as kids, just in cupcake form!
Elaine says
Haha, these are too cute! I love how you can make them for both a kid party or adult gathering - they will be adored by everyone!
Gina Abernathy says
A fun recipe to make with the kids.
Eliza says
My son loves these whimsical gummy worm cupcakes! They're not only fun to make and eat, they are SOOOOO DELICIOUS!
Min says
The kiddos loved it! So fun and also very delicious, which is great for us adults!
Michaela Kenkel says
What is not to love about these!? Classic fun recipes for kids are always a winner!
Jules says
I made these for my granddaughter and she loved telling her mother that her Nonna made her eat dirt and worms lol. Now she is always asking me to make her dirt and worm cupcakes.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you for sharing this! So funny! My granddaughter loved them too! Such a sweet memory!
Debi says
The kids just loved these fun treats. They would also be great for Halloween.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you, Debi. It really is a fun treat!
Tristin says
These cupcakes were adorable! And the instructions were super easy to follow.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you! They are so fun to make and eat! Glad you enjoyed them too!
Jennifer says
These are so fun!! I can't wait to make these for my tennis team!