Step 1: Go outside and put some dirt in a cup.
Step 2: Put some worms in a cup.
Step 3: Eat. Okay, I’m just kidding, but I got you there for a second.
As you may know, The Dead Poets Society by Nancy H. Kleinbaum is not the happiest book out there, but something sure to cheer you up after this heartfelt read is some good, old dessert. Even better is a dessert you can eat while thinking about what the book meant and how it applies to you.
So, if dirt and worms aren’t actual dirt and worms, then what is it? Well, I’m glad you asked. This fun dessert is layers of chocolate pudding stacked with crushed Oreos and decorated with gummy worms. Now, you’re probably thinking, how the heck does dirt and worms connect to a story about a bunch of boys at a boarding school and their new English teacher? Let’s give this some thought; the book is about seizing the day and doing what you want in your life since you really only have one. Life is too short to do what other people want you to do.
This is one of the first things that Mr. Keating tries to teach the boys. In his first lesson with them, he says, “Because we’re food for worms, lads! Because we’ll only experience a limited number of springs, summers, and falls. One day, hard as it is to believe, every one of us is going to stop breathing, turn cold, and die!¨ (Weir). He says all this with a smile as if it’s a motivational speech because, in reality, it is.
So what better way to think about dying and ending up as worm food than while eating some actual worm food?
Ingredients and measurements: Makes about 10-12 cups
- Instant chocolate pudding mix (110 grams or one box)
- Whole milk -can not substitute for soy milk or else will not work- (454 grams or 2 cups)
- Cool whip (227 grams or 8 oz)
- Unsalted butter -room temperature- (57 grams or ½ stick)
- Cream cheese(227 grams or 1 brick)
- Powdered sugar(113 grams or 1 cup)
- Oreo Cookies(44 cookies or 1 standard pack of Oreos)
- Gummy worms ( 30 worms or about two packs)
- One large and one medium bowl
- A whisk or fork
- Plastic cups
First things first, you will want to mix your chocolate pudding mix with your whole milk, making sure that your powder is thoroughly mixed with the milk. You will set this aside for about 5 minutes and wait for the pudding to set.
While you’re waiting for your pudding to set and thicken, you might want to start on your cream mixture. Mix the butter and cream cheese together with the powdered sugar until it resembles frosting and has the consistency of frosting.
Your pudding should have been set by now, so you’ll take your pudding and your cool whip and mix the two. Now that you have your two mixtures, you’ll combine them in one bowl. You will be tempted to taste, and you may do so, but try your hardest not to eat it all before you get to the end. I promise it is worth it.
You can put the mixture aside now. Take your Oreos, separate the cream from the cookies, and crush until it becomes more or less a crumble. Don’t be too worried if there are still some big chunks; it won’t matter too much. Just make sure you can still use your hand to eat after all that crushing.
Now, all that is left is setting up the personal cups. You’ll want to start with a layer of your mixture, then Oreos, the mixture, and Oreos again. Make sure you portion it out so that you don’t run out of ingredients before you finish. Lastly, put 2-3 gummy worms on top and clean up.
For my first time making this, it took me about an hour to make, set up, and clear, so it’s not the worst thing to do if you’re in a rush. It’s great if you’re going to have a party…maybe a Dead Poets Society watch party or book club meeting— it’s up to you. I hope you have fun reading and baking. See you next time!
