Halloween in our house means two things: costumes that never quite fit right and Frankenstein Pudding Cups taking over the kitchen. I stumbled on this idea years ago when my then-5-year-old demanded “monster food” for his class party. We whipped up these silly green treats in 15 minutes flat—and now they’re our must-make tradition. The kids go wild for the Oreo “dirt” hair and chocolate chip scars, while I love that cleanup is just tossing the cups. Trust me, if my chaos crew can assemble these between costume changes and candy binges, anyone can make these Frankenstein Pudding Cups the stars of your Halloween spread.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Frankenstein Pudding Cups
Listen, between costumes, decorations, and sugar-crazed kids, Halloween is hectic enough—you need recipes like these Frankenstein Pudding Cups in your back pocket. Here’s why they’ve become my go-to:
Perfect for Halloween Parties
Picture this: A tray of grinning green Frankensteins staring up from your dessert table. They disappear faster than candy corn! The visual wow-factor makes them party superstars—even picky eaters can’t resist poking their marshmallow “bolts.” Bonus? No slicing or serving utensils required.
Quick and No-Cook
From pantry to party in 15 minutes flat—no oven, no stress. While other treats demand baking and cooling, these cups come together faster than a kid can say “trick or treat.” The instant pudding base means zero cooking fails, and cleanup’s a breeze (just toss the cups!).
Ingredients for Frankenstein Pudding Cups
Okay, confession time—I’ve made these Frankenstein Pudding Cups with whatever’s in my pantry during last-minute Halloween panic, but here’s the perfect lineup. Grab these and you’re golden:
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix – The trusty base that makes this no-bake magic happen
- 2 cups cold milk – Whole milk gives the creamiest texture, but any works in a pinch
- Green food coloring – Gel works best for that electric Frankenstein green (about 8 drops)
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies – Smash ’em in a bag for messy “dirt” hair—kids love this job
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips – These become scars and freckles (regular chips work if chopped small)
- 1 tube black decorating gel – For those iconic Frankenstein stitches and grins
- 6-8 clear plastic cups – Short 9-oz cups show off all the spooky layers
- 6-8 large marshmallows – Cut in half for perfect neck bolts (stale ones actually hold shape better!)
Pro tip: Double the Oreos—some always “disappear” during prep when little helpers are involved.
How to Make Frankenstein Pudding Cups
Alright, let’s get these little monsters assembled! The beauty of these Frankenstein Pudding Cups is how foolproof they are—even when kids are “helping” (read: licking spoons and dropping Oreo crumbs everywhere). Here’s how we do it in our kitchen chaos:
Mixing the Pudding
First, grab your biggest mixing bowl—trust me, you’ll want room to stir without green splatters everywhere. Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk for a full 2 minutes until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Now the fun part: slowly add green food coloring (I use about 8 drops of gel for that perfect monster hue). Stir gently—you can always add more color, but you can’t take it out! Pro tip: If your green looks too light, walk away for 5 minutes—the color deepens as the pudding sets.
Assembling the Cups
Time to build our Frankensteins! Here’s the layering magic:
- Pudding first: Spoon about 1/3 cup into each clear cup (leave 1-inch space at the top).
- Oreo “hair”: Press crushed cookies gently into the pudding—don’t stir or you’ll lose that awesome dirt-like texture.
- Chocolate chip scars: Sprinkle mini chips randomly—some on the “hair,” some peeking through like freckles.
- Face time: Use black gel to draw stitch lines and a zigzag mouth. Easy hack: Draw on wax paper first to practice!
- Bolts: Stick marshmallow halves on opposite sides—press firmly so they don’t topple when kids grab them.
Chill for at least 30 minutes if you can resist—though in our house, they’re usually devoured immediately!
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4 Frankenstein Pudding Cups
Fun and easy Frankenstein Pudding Cups perfect for Halloween or themed parties. Kids will love assembling these spooky treats.
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6–8 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Green food coloring
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies (for dirt)
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (for hair)
- 1 tube black decorating gel (for facial details)
- 6–8 clear plastic cups
- 6–8 large marshmallows (for bolts)
Instructions
- Whisk pudding mix and milk until thick and smooth.
- Add green food coloring and stir.
- Spoon pudding into cups.
- Top with crushed Oreos.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips.
- Draw faces and add marshmallow bolts.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant green.
- Prep cups ahead for faster assembly.
- Store chilled until serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Tips for Perfect Frankenstein Pudding Cups
After making these Frankenstein Pudding Cups for countless Halloween parties (and surviving the chaos of little hands decorating them), here are my hard-earned tricks:
- Go bold with color: Gel food coloring gives the brightest green – start with 8 drops and add more as needed. Liquid coloring can make the pudding runny.
- Prep ahead: Mix the pudding and crush Oreos up to a day before. Store separately and assemble cups just before serving for fresh faces.
- Use stale marshmallows: Slightly dried-out marshmallows hold their bolt shape better than fresh, sticky ones.
- Keep faces simple: Two dots for eyes and a zigzag mouth read perfectly as Frankenstein – no artistic skills required!
Store assembled cups in the fridge for up to 2 days – if they last that long!
Frankenstein Pudding Cups Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic Frankenstein Pudding Cups, try these fun twists! Swap vanilla pudding for chocolate (use mint extract for “monster breath” flavor) or butterscotch (hello, “zombie skin” tones!). Top with gummy worms crawling from the Oreo dirt or use candy eyes instead of gel for an easier face. For nut-free versions, try crushed graham crackers instead of Oreos—the monster possibilities are endless!
Serving and Storage
These Frankenstein Pudding Cups shine brightest served chilled—I like to line them up on a spooky tray with dry ice for extra drama. Leftovers? Ha! But if you miraculously have any, just pop plastic wrap over the tops and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The Oreos might soften, but those marshmallow bolts stay perfectly bolt-y!
Frankenstein Pudding Cups FAQ
Over the years of making these Frankenstein Pudding Cups, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions from fellow Halloween-loving parents. Here are the ones that pop up most often – with my tested answers!
Can I make these dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the milk for almond or oat milk (the pudding might set slightly softer). For vegan versions, use dairy-free Oreos and marshmallows – just check labels since some brands contain gelatin.
Help! My pudding won’t get thick – what now?
First, make sure you’re using instant pudding mix (cook-and-serve won’t work here). If it’s still runny after 5 minutes, try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch while whisking. Too much food coloring can thin it out too – so add color gradually!
What if I don’t have black decorating gel?
No worries! Melted chocolate in a piping bag works (cool slightly first). Or get creative with licorice strings cut into stitches. One year we used black sprinkles pressed into the pudding for a textured face – total happy accident!
Can big kids help decorate these?
Are you kidding? Letting them go wild with the gel tubes is half the fun! Just put down parchment paper first – I learned this after scrubbing black “stitches” off my countertops. Little ones can sprinkle chocolate chips while you handle the fine details.
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real—these Frankenstein Pudding Cups are treats, not health food! But since I know some folks like to track (or justify extra candy later), here’s the scoop per cup. Remember: These are rough estimates since Oreo crushing and marshmallow sizes vary in my chaotic kitchen!
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 8g (3g saturated)
- Carbs: 32g
- Protein: 3g
Using sugar-free pudding and skim milk can shave off about 50 calories—but hey, it’s Halloween! Save the diet for November.
Share Your Creations
Did your little monsters go wild for these Frankenstein Pudding Cups? Snap a pic of their spooky creations and share it in the comments—I’d love to see your family’s twist on these ghoulish treats! Share your creations!
