Delightful Beach Pudding Cups

This creamy, no-bake beach pudding cup brings summer vibes to your dessert table any time of year. The layers of vanilla cookie "sand" and blue pudding "ocean" create a whimsical treat that's perfect for beach-themed parties, summer gatherings, or whenever you need a dose of sunshine.

I first made these for my daughter's beach birthday party, and the kids were absolutely delighted. The little umbrellas and gummy bears created such a magical moment that we now make them for every summer gathering.

Ingredients

• Vanilla cookies: Create the perfect sandy beach texture and bring a sweet complementary flavor to the pudding
• Whole milk: Gives the pudding a rich, creamy base and helps it set properly
• Vanilla instant pudding mix: Provides the quick dessert foundation that sets up beautifully
• Blue food coloring: Transforms ordinary pudding into an ocean blue that looks just like the sea
• Gummy bears or chocolate bears: Become your cute beach visitors and add a playful touch
• Peach ring candies: Look just like mini inner tubes floating on your pudding ocean
• Cocktail umbrellas: Complete the beach scene and make the dessert instantly festive

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Sand:

Process the vanilla cookies in a food processor until they become fine crumbs resembling sand. Make sure to pulse until you achieve a consistent texture without any large pieces remaining. These crumbs form the essential beach base for your ocean scene.

Mix the Ocean Base:

Whisk the milk and vanilla pudding mix vigorously for a full two minutes. This timing is crucial as it activates the thickening agents in the pudding. You should notice it beginning to set and thicken as you whisk.

Add Fluffiness:

Fold the whipped cream gently into the pudding mixture using a spatula with a down and over motion. This incorporates air without deflating the mixture and creates a lighter, creamier texture that mimics ocean foam.

Create Ocean Blue:

Add blue food coloring drops one at a time, stirring between additions. This gradual approach helps you achieve the perfect ocean blue without going too dark. Aim for a medium sky blue rather than navy for the most realistic ocean look.

Layer Your Beach Scene:

Begin with a cookie crumb layer about half an inch thick at the bottom of each clear cup. Press down gently to create a firm sand base. Follow with a layer of blue pudding about an inch thick, being careful not to disturb the sand layer below.

Build Your Depth:

Continue alternating layers of cookie crumbs and blue pudding, making the final layer blue pudding. Creating multiple layers gives visual interest and mimics the way the ocean floor slopes. Leave about half an inch of space at the top for decorations.

Chill and Set:

Refrigerate the assembled cups for a minimum of one hour, though two hours is better for optimal setting. The pudding will continue to thicken and the cookie layers will soften slightly to create a perfect texture contrast.

Decorate Your Beach:

Once set, add your beach scene elements. Position gummy bears like beachgoers, place a peach ring like a floatie, and insert a cocktail umbrella at an angle for dimension. These final touches transform a simple dessert into an edible scene.

Pin it

The blue ocean pudding layer became the unexpected star of this dessert in our family. My son, who normally avoids pudding desserts, devoured his entire cup and asked for seconds. Something about the combination of the vanilla cookies soaking into the creamy blue pudding creates a magical flavor that's more than the sum of its parts.

Making It Personal

These beach pudding cups work wonderfully for customization. Try setting up a DIY beach pudding bar where guests can add their own toppings. Provide options like crushed graham crackers for extra sand, blue and white sprinkles for sea foam, Swedish fish for ocean creatures, and various gummy candies for beach toys. Everyone enjoys creating their own beach scene, and it becomes both a dessert and an activity.

Storage Tips

These beach pudding cups can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. The flavor actually improves as the cookie layers soften slightly into the pudding. If making ahead, add the decorative elements like umbrellas and gummy bears just before serving to keep them from getting soggy or bleeding color into your ocean blue pudding.

Seasonal Variations

In winter months, transform this same concept into a snow scene by omitting the blue food coloring and using white chocolate bears and crushed peppermint candies as decorations. For Halloween, tint the pudding purple or green and use gummy worms and cookie tombstones. The versatile format works for virtually any holiday or theme with simple adjustments to colors and toppings.

Pin it

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these Beach Pudding Cups ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare these cups up to 24 hours in advance. For best results, add the decorative toppings (gummy bears, peach rings, and umbrellas) just before serving to maintain their appearance.

→ What can I substitute for vanilla cookies?

Graham crackers, digestive biscuits, shortbread cookies, or even crushed vanilla wafers work perfectly as substitutes. Any cookie that can create a sand-like appearance when crushed will be suitable.

→ How can I make these Beach Pudding Cups without artificial food coloring?

For a natural alternative, you can use blue spirulina powder, butterfly pea flower tea, or natural blue food coloring made from vegetable-based ingredients to achieve the ocean-blue color.

→ What other decorations can I use for these beach-themed cups?

White chocolate shells, crushed graham crackers for additional 'sand', blue jelly beans, white sprinkles to represent sea foam, or small dolphin-shaped candies would all make excellent decorative additions.

→ Can I make a dairy-free version of these Beach Pudding Cups?

Absolutely! Use plant-based milk (coconut or almond work well), dairy-free pudding mix, and coconut whipped cream to create a delicious dairy-free alternative that maintains the same beach theme and layered effect.

→ How do I prevent the cookie crumbs from getting soggy?

If you're making these cups several hours ahead, consider adding a thin layer of melted white chocolate over the first cookie crumb layer. This creates a barrier that helps maintain the crunchiness of the 'sand' longer.