Toss these neon gummy worms in the slow cooker and 3 other ingredients to get a dessert so delicious your grandkids will be begging for more!

This 4-ingredient slow cooker earth day dirt dessert using neon gummy worms is one of those “set it and forget it” treats that makes you look like the fun grandparent, cool aunt, or busy parent who somehow still pulls off cute themed desserts. It has all the nostalgic vibes of classic dirt pudding, but instead of layering everything in cups, you toss neon gummy worms into the slow cooker with three other simple ingredients and let the heat do the work. The result is a warm, gooey, chocolatey dirt-style dessert that looks like a little edible garden bed and tastes like a cross between brownie batter and pudding. It’s perfect for Earth Day, kids’ sleepovers, or any night when you want something fun and low-effort after a long workday.

Spoon the warm dirt dessert into small bowls or clear cups so everyone can see the chocolatey “soil” and bright neon gummy worms peeking through. It’s delicious on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top makes it extra special. For a full Earth Day spread, serve it after a simple sheet pan dinner or grilled burgers and veggies. If you’re hosting grandkids or a group of kids, set out extra gummy worms and a small bowl of crushed chocolate cookies so they can decorate their own bowls like mini gardens.

Servings: 8

2 cups neon gummy worms, plus extra for topping

Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin layer of butter to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Scatter 1 1/2 cups of the neon gummy worms evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker so they form a colorful layer on top of the dark crock surface. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of worms for topping later.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry chocolate fudge cake mix and the instant chocolate pudding mix until well combined and no streaks remain.

Pour in the whole milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick, like a loose brownie batter. This batter will become your warm, fudgy “dirt.”

Carefully pour the batter over the neon gummy worms in the slow cooker, trying to cover them evenly without disturbing them too much. It’s fine if some worms peek through the top; that adds to the dirt effect.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the edges are set and slightly pulling away from the sides and the center is mostly set but still soft and pudding-like. Avoid lifting the lid during the first 2 hours so the dessert cooks evenly.

Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. This rest time helps it firm up slightly while staying gooey and scoopable.

Right before serving, gently scatter the reserved 1/2 cup of neon gummy worms over the top so they look like they’re crawling through the “dirt.” If you’d like a more crumbly soil look, lightly press a few worms into the surface with the back of a spoon.

Spoon the warm earth day dirt dessert into bowls or cups, making sure each serving gets plenty of gummy worms. Serve immediately while warm and gooey, or switch the slow cooker to WARM for up to 1 hour to keep it at a good serving temperature.

For extra crunch and a more classic dirt look, sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies over the top right before serving (this would technically add a fifth ingredient, so keep it optional if you want to stay true to the 4-ingredient version). You can also swap whole milk for 2% milk; the dessert will be slightly less rich but still tasty. To make it a little more grown-up, serve it with espresso ice cream or drizzle a bit of warm chocolate sauce over each bowl. If you need it dairy-free, use a dairy-free boxed cake mix and substitute unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, understanding the texture may be a bit looser; start with 1 3/4 cups and add more only if needed to reach a thick batter. For a smaller batch, halve all ingredients and use a 3-quart slow cooker, checking for doneness around the 2-hour mark. Food safety tips: Always cook on LOW or HIGH with the lid on so the dessert reaches a safe temperature; do not leave the slow cooker on the “Keep Warm” setting from the start. Once cooked, don’t leave the dessert at room temperature for more than 2 hours; refrigerate leftovers in a covered container and eat within 3 to 4 days. Reheat single portions gently in the microwave until just warm; avoid reheating gummy worms multiple times, as they can become too tough and overly melted.