When game day rolls around, it’s not just about the touchdowns or the halftime show—it’s all about the snacks. Let’s be real, even the most die-hard fans secretly look forward to the food spread. But this year, you’re going to steal the show with these adorable and delicious football-themed dirt cups.

I first made these for a Sunday watch party, thinking they’d be a cute addition to the table. Little did I know, they’d outshine my nachos and wings! Even my “I’m just here for the commercials” friends couldn’t resist. The layers of chocolatey goodness, Oreo crumbs, and whipped cream combined with those adorable football cookies? Total game-changer.

These easy-to-make desserts will not only impress your guests but also bring some serious fun to the table. Bonus: You don’t have to be a baker extraordinaire to make them!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super easy: Minimal effort but maximum wow-factor. Perfect for game day prep.
Kid-friendly: The little ones will love assembling these layers and decorating cookies.
Customizable: Change up the toppings or colors to suit your team’s colors or preferences.
No baking required: You can whip these up without ever turning on the oven!
Rich and indulgent: Between the creamy pudding, crunchy cookie crumbs, and light whipped cream, it’s a dessert dream come true.

The magic of this recipe lies in its layers: Oreo crumbs mimic dirt, green whipped cream becomes the field, and those chocolate-dipped cookies are the perfect edible football toppers. Trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe between plays.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dessert is built with a few simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store:

For the Dirt Cups:

1 package Oreos (pulsed into fine crumbs) – The perfect “dirt” for this fun treat.
1 box chocolate pudding mix (plus the milk required on the package) – Adds creamy, chocolatey layers.
2 cups heavy whipping cream – Whipped into fluffy peaks for the ultimate topping.
1/2 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the whipped cream just right.
Green food coloring – Brings the “field” to life.

For the Football Cookies:

Milano cookies (or any similar oval-shaped cookie) – These become your adorable footballs.
Chocolate almond bark or Candiquik – Melts into a smooth coating for dipping.
Royal icing:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp meringue powder
- 2 tsp water

Optional: Football-themed sprinkles or edible toppers for a quick decoration alternative.

How to Make Football-Themed Dirt Cups

Let’s break it down step by step so you’ll feel confident tackling this dessert project. You’ll be amazed at how easy these come together!

Step 1: Decorate the Football Cookies

This is where the magic begins. Start by melting your chocolate almond bark or Candiquik in a small pot over low heat. You can also do this in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

Dip each Milano cookie into the melted chocolate, covering it completely. Place the dipped cookies onto a baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment paper and let them harden.

While the chocolate sets, prepare your royal icing. Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a small bowl. Whisk or beat with an electric mixer until the icing is smooth and slightly thick (about 2 minutes).

Transfer the icing to a squeeze bottle or piping bag fitted with a small tip. Once the chocolate on the cookies is firm, pipe football laces onto each one. Let the icing harden before handling.

Step 2: Prepare the Dirt Cup Layers

Now it’s time to get those iconic dirt cup layers ready! Start by blitzing the Oreos in a food processor until you’ve got fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, pop them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Make the chocolate pudding according to the package instructions and let it chill in the fridge until set.

Next, whip up the green whipped cream. To make sure it fluffs up beautifully, chill a metal mixing bowl and the beaters of your hand mixer in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Once chilled, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and a few drops of green food coloring until stiff peaks form.

Step 3: Assemble Your Football Dirt Cups

This is the fun part! Grab your serving cups (clear plastic cups work great so everyone can see those layers).

Start by spooning a layer of Oreo crumbs into the bottom of each cup, about 1 tablespoon per cup.
Add a layer of chocolate pudding on top of the crumbs—be generous with this layer!
Top it off with a layer of the green whipped cream. You can pipe it for a neat finish or simply spoon it on.

Before serving, place one decorated football cookie on each cup for the finishing touch.

Tips for Success

Chill your tools: A cold bowl and beaters are key to whipping cream quickly and easily.
Make ahead: Assemble the dirt cups a few hours before serving, but wait to add the cookies until the last minute to keep them crisp.
Use real food coloring: Gel-based food coloring works best for vibrant, green whipped cream.
Alternative decorations: If royal icing feels like too much work, go for store-bought football-shaped sprinkles or toppers.
Crushing Oreos: For an easier cleanup, use a zip-top bag and rolling pin instead of a food processor.

Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are a few fun ways to switch it up:

Team Colors: Swap the green whipped cream for colors that match your favorite team.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies and pudding mix.
Peanut Butter Lovers: Add a layer of peanut butter mousse between the pudding and whipped cream.
Healthier Version: Use sugar-free pudding mix and reduced-fat whipped topping.
Cupcake Style: Layer the dirt cup components in cupcake liners for individual bites.

How to Serve

These football dirt cups are perfect as-is, but you can elevate them with a few extra touches:

Serve on a tray with mini spoons for a grab-and-go dessert.
Pair them with other finger foods for a dessert buffet.
Set up a “decorate your own dirt cup” station at your party for some interactive fun!

Storing Leftovers

If you have any dirt cups left (which is rare), here’s how to store them:

Cover the cups tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
The cookies will soften over time, so store any extras separately in an airtight container.

FAQ

Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of making my own?
Absolutely! It’s a great shortcut if you’re in a hurry.

What if I don’t have royal icing ingredients?
You can use white chocolate to pipe the laces or skip this step and use sprinkles instead.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free pudding, whipped cream, and cookies.

Do I have to use Milano cookies?
Nope! Any oval-shaped cookie will work. Try Nutter Butters for a fun twist.

Can I freeze these?
The pudding and whipped cream don’t freeze well, so these are best enjoyed fresh.

Conclusion

There you have it—your MVP of game day desserts: football-themed dirt cups. They’re fun, delicious, and guaranteed to be a hit with fans and foodies alike. I can’t wait to see how yours turn out! Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on social media with your creations. Let’s make game day even sweeter together. 🏈🍫

Football Dirt Cups Recipe: The Ultimate Game Day Dessert

Author: TAYLOR HARRISON
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These football dirt cups are a no-bake dessert perfect for game day. Layers of Oreo crumbs, creamy chocolate pudding, green whipped cream, and football-shaped cookies make this a fun and delicious treat for fans of all ages!

Ingredients

Scale

1 package Oreos, crushed
1 box chocolate pudding mix (plus milk for preparation)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Green food coloring
Milano cookies
Chocolate almond bark or Candiquik
Royal icing (1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp meringue powder, 2 tsp water)

Instructions

Crush Oreos into fine crumbs and prepare the chocolate pudding as directed on the package.
Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and green food coloring until stiff peaks form.
Dip Milano cookies into melted chocolate almond bark, let set, then decorate with royal icing laces.
Layer crushed Oreos, chocolate pudding, and green whipped cream in serving cups.
Top with a decorated football cookie before serving.

Notes

Assemble the cups ahead of time, but add cookies last to keep them crisp.
Substitute royal icing with store-bought football sprinkles for ease.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-bake
Cuisine: American