Prepare the perfect treat for guests to eat when hosting a Halloween gathering. These Graveyard Dirt Cream Puffs are flavorful, fun to prepare, and look great to go with the spooky season.
“This post and recipe were created for #HalloweenTreatsWeek! I was sent samples by some sponsor companies, but as always opinions are 100% mine.”
Graveyard Dirt Cream Puff Recipe
These cream puffs are light, flavorful, and will melt in your mouth with each bite, leaving you coming back time and time again for more. So, what makes these cream puffs such an excellent treat to prepare for the spooky season?
Not only do they taste good, but they look spooky and scary to go along with the Halloween desserts theme. You can add different ingredients to them to make them look even spookier, such as gummy worms and edible eyes!
Why Should I Make Dirty Pudding!?
- The cream puffs have the perfect texture. They have a slightly crisp exterior with a soft and creamy center that tastes great.
- You can have fun and get as creative as possible with the edible dirt, melted chocolate, candy worms, and more.
- These kid-friendly treats are great for adults, too. So, even if you’re having an adult Halloween party, you can expect the dirt dessert to be a huge hit amongst everyone.
What should I do if I don’t have heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream, feel free to use whole milk. The whole milk will work as well when combined with cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and other essential ingredients.
Do I have to use Oreo cookies for the edible dirt in this recipe?
While Oreo cookies taste great and look like real dirt to go with your Graveyard Dirt Cream Puffs, you can always use the generic version. There is truly not that big of a difference between the generic version and the brand name option.
How to assemble these cream puffs?
- When you want to assemble the Graveyard Dirt Cream Puffs, be sure to cut the puffs in half on the lower bottom section.
- Then pipe your chocolate and whipped cream into the center of the puffs.
- Top with your crushed cookies and Halloween candies.
- Dip the top of your puff into the ganache you’ve created, place it on top of the whipped cream, and then serve it.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- When preparing the whipped cream, be sure to beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Once you’ve spotted the stiff peaks, you can begin stirring in the other ingredients.
- Make sure to reduce the heat to the oven when baking your puffs. While you want to bake them for five minutes at 425 degrees, you should reduce the heat to 375 degrees F for the remaining 30 minutes.
By doing this, you can keep them from getting too hard or burning.
- If you’re not planning to serve the Graveyard Dirt Cream Puffs immediately, be sure to store them in an airtight food storage container and keep them in the fridge. It’s best to keep these cream puffs refrigerated to preserve their freshness until you’re ready to serve them to your loved ones during your Halloween party.
Check out the other Halloween treats.
Ingredients
For the Pastry Puffs
- 3/4 cup flour
- 6 Tablespoons butter cut into 1 tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups water
- 4 eggs divided into 3 and 1
For the Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 1 1/2 cups heavy Cream
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup powered sugar
For the Chocolate Glaze
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies
- Halloween Graveyard candies – worms brains, fingers, eyeballs, etc.
Instructions
Baking the Puff Pastries
- Preheat the oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Have all of your ingredients ready to go – this happens quickly.
- Place the butter, sugar, salt, and water into a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. When the mixture boils, remove from the heat and add in the flour. Return to heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together and forms a ball of dough.
- Transfer the dough to a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat in three eggs, one at a time, until the dough is smooth and glossy. Transfer the dough to a piping bag with the tip cut off.
- Pipe out 1 ½ inch wide and tall on the prepared baking sheet.
- Whisk together 1 egg and a teaspoon of water and brush it over the tops of the puffs. Use the brush to push down any points that may have formed.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425° F then reduce the heat to 375° F and bake for 30 minutes. The puffs should be golden brown. Turn off the oven but leave the puffs in the oven for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
Making the Chocolate Whipped Cream
- Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Sift in the cocoa powder, salt, and powdered sugar. Whip on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream into a prepared piping bag with an open star tip.
Preparing the Chocolate Glaze
- Melt chocolate at 70% power in the microwave. Stir to melt all the chocolate chips. Add the cream in slowly and stir until completely combined. The ganache should be thin, so if you need to add more cream, add in a teaspoon at a time.
- Put them all together.
- Cut puffs in half along the lower third of the puff.Pipe the chocolate whipped cream in. Top with crushed cookies and add Halloween candy.
- Dip the top half into the ganache and place on top of the whipped cream.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
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These look so fun and easy to make!
These are cool. I love the dirt effect. Cream puffs are so delicious
Yum! I loved the chocolate whipped cream and the glaze with Oreos in it! These were such a great treat!
I love all the creepy crawly things happening all over them!
These are super fun and I love all the different ways you can decorate them!
Cream puffs are always a big hit at my house. These are so fun.