Decadent Chocolate Mud Pie Recipe with Oreo Crust

Indulge in a fun twist on a classic mud pie: gummy worms on top of a creamy chocolate filling and an Oreo cookie crust. This no-bake dessert is gooey, chocolatey, and always the first dish to disappear at parties. It’s easy to assemble and a hit with both kids and adults.

With an Oreo crust, silky chocolate pudding filling, and playful gummy worms on top, this mud pie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s my favorite no-bake summer dessert because it’s cool, creamy, and rich without needing an oven.

Ingredients

• Gummy worms – The fun finishing touch. Use sour or regular gummy worms or swap for other gummy shapes if preferred.
• Whipped topping (Cool Whip) – Any whipped topping works; chocolate-flavored topping adds extra depth.
• Oreo cookies – Crushed to form the no-bake cookie crust; other chocolate sandwich cookies can substitute.
• Instant chocolate pudding mix – Regular chocolate instant pudding creates the creamy mousse-like filling.
• Whole milk – Used to prepare the pudding mix.
• Salted butter – Melted or softened, mixed with cookie crumbs to form the crust.

How to Make a Mud Pie

This dirt cake-style mud pie is simple to make and a great project for kids since it requires no baking.

Step One: Crush 24 Oreo cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor. If you don’t have a processor, place cookies in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin. Reserve about 1 cup of crumbs for the topping.

Step Two: Add 3 tablespoons of melted or softened salted butter to the remaining crumbs and pulse until the mixture clumps together.

Step Three: Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a deep-dish glass pie plate to form the crust. If the crust seems too crumbly, add a little 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 family-sized box (about 5.85 oz) of instant chocolate pudding mix and 2 cups of cold whole milk until smooth. Let it thicken briefly according to package directions.

Step Five: Fold in about 4 ounces of whipped topping (Cool Whip) gently so the mixture stays light and airy.

Step Six: Spoon the pudding mixture into the prepared Oreo crust and spread evenly.

Step Seven: Sprinkle the reserved Oreo crumbs over the pudding layer. If you’re making the pie ahead of time, wait to add the crumbs until just before serving to keep them crisp.

Step Eight: Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 hours to set. For faster chilling, you can place it in the freezer for up to an hour. Right before serving, top with 18 gummy worms or your preferred candy garnish.

Variations

• Mini Mud Pies – Assemble in individual cups for easy portions.
• Vanilla – Use golden Oreos and instant vanilla pudding for a lighter flavor.
• Butterscotch – Swap in butterscotch pudding for a sweet, caramel-like twist.
• White Chocolate – Try white chocolate pudding for a different sweetness profile.
• Layered Presentation – Layer pudding and whipped cream in a trifle bowl for an elegant look.
• Peppermint – Add peppermint extract and top with crushed peppermint sticks for a seasonal version.
• Alternate Gummy Candy – Replace gummy worms with gummy dinosaurs or eyeballs for a themed party treat.

Common Questions

Do I need to bake the pie crust?

No. This recipe uses a no-bake Oreo crust. Some other pie recipes call for pre-baking a crust, but it’s unnecessary here.

How long does it take to make?

Assembly usually takes about 15 minutes, plus chilling time of at least 2 hours so the pie can set properly.

How long will the mud pie keep?

Stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, the pie will keep for 3–4 days. If making ahead, store gummy worms separately and add them just before serving to maintain their texture.

📖 Recipe

Originally published September 18, 2023. Revised and republished May 15, 2026.