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Sand Bucket Pudding Cups

A playful, beach-themed no-bake dessert featuring rich vanilla cream cheese pudding layered with crushed cookie 'sand' and topped with colorful gummy fish.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10 cups
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Summer
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Sand
  • 14.3 oz Golden Oreos or Vanilla Wafers crushed into fine crumbs
Pudding Filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 6.8 oz instant vanilla pudding mix two 3.4 oz boxes
  • 2.75 cups cold whole milk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 12 oz frozen whipped topping thawed (like Cool Whip)
Garnish
  • 1 cup gummy fish or gummy sharks for decoration

Equipment

  • Food processor or rolling pin
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Mini plastic sand buckets with shovels

Method
 

  1. Place the cookies into a food processor and pulse until they are completely crushed into fine sand-like crumbs. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened.
  4. Gently fold the thickened pudding into the cream cheese mixture until combined. Then, fold in the thawed whipped topping.
  5. Spoon a tablespoon of crushed cookies into the bottom of each mini sand bucket. Top with a layer of the pudding mixture.
  6. Alternate layers of pudding and cookie crumbs, finishing with a thick layer of cookie crumbs on top to resemble a sandy beach.
  7. Refrigerate the cups for at least 2 hours to set.
  8. Before serving, stick a mini toy shovel into each bucket and decorate the top with gummy fish.

Notes

To prep ahead, fully assemble the cups minus the gummy candies and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add the gummies right before serving so they don't get slimy.