Cookies and Cream Chocolate Pudding

I originally developed this recipe years ago before gluten-free Oreo cookies were a thing. Now you can get gluten-free sandwich cookies from Oreo and Glutino, so it’s time to refresh this recipe to stay timely. This post was originally sponsored by Silk and contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosures.

One of my goals is to show you just how many foods you can eat while following a strict gluten-free diet… and of course, I never skimp on showing you all the wonderful gluten-free desserts you can enjoy too.

There are so many naturally gluten-free desserts that require no flour or funky swaps of any sort; rather, they just require a little creativity in the kitchen.

That’s why I’m excited to share this recipe with you.

This is a recipe for incredibly delicious cookies and cream chocolate pudding topped with crushed gluten-free Oreo cookies (or another cookie of choice). Chocolate pudding is easy to make at home and requires only a few simple ingredients. (You can, alternatively, use store-bought pudding. Many brands are gluten free. Please refer to my list of gluten-free pudding brands.)

Once I learned how to make pudding at home, I stopped buying those overly processed instant pudding mixes and now solely make my own mix with a few simple, clean ingredients. On top of that, I have learned to make this recipe not only gluten free, but also dairy free too.

The secret ingredient to making this dessert dairy-free (and still rich and creamy) is using a plant-based milk alternative, and the “milk” I love most is Silk Cashewmilk.

The Proof is in the Pudding

Here is a list of what you need to make my decadent cookies and cream chocolate pudding:

(1) Plant-Based Milk Alternative (or milk) – I love the taste and texture of Silk Cashewmilk. Both work well in this recipe. Alternatively, you can use regular milk or another plant-based milk of your choice.

(2) Cacao Powder – Cacao powder makes this pudding recipe rich and chocolatey – it’s a must! I use organic, fair-trade cacao powder whenever possible. This is the brand I use.

(3) Honey – I recommend swapping refined white sugar for raw honey, a less processed, natural sweetener. I notice a slight texture change when I use honey (the final product is thicker), but it still tastes like the rich and creamy chocolate pudding I know and love. Alternatively, you could use white sugar.

(4) Cornstarch or Tapioca Starch – You could use either starch, but I think cornstarch offers a smoother texture whereas tapioca starch offers a more gummy texture. Both starches help to thicken the mixture and are required.

(5) Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract adds an extra layer of flavor and sweetness. I highly recommend using a dash of it.

(6) Gluten-Free Oreo Cookies – What cookies and cream chocolate pudding would be complete without gluten-free Oreo cookies?!?

For this recipe, you could use either the new gluten-free Oreo cookies or the tried and true Glutino sandwich cookies (they look just like Oreo cookies). You could also use crushed gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.

Neither gluten-free Oreo cookies nor Glutino sandwich cookies contain dairy, but make note that the gluten-free Oreos contain oat flour. (See the ingredients in gluten-free Oreo cookies.)

I also tested both cookies for hidden gluten using my Nima Sensor, and both came back a-okay.

How to Make Cookies & Cream Chocolate Pudding

To make this cookie and cream chocolate pudding, start by making the chocolate pudding.

Divide the milk into two parts. One-half (1/2) cup should be reserved and combined with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, while the rest (2 cups) should be added to a small pot along with the cacao, honey, vanilla, and pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while whisking it continuously with a wire whisk.

Once the mixture is gently bubbling, add the remaining milk mixed with cornstarch (cornstarch slurry) while you continue to gently whisk the pudding mixture. Everything will begin to slightly thicken over the next two minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat.

While the mixture cools, add 4-6 Oreo cookies (or other crushed cookies of choice) into a zip-top bag, then bang it with your rolling pin until the cookies are crushed.

Now comes the fun part… layer your chocolate pudding mixture and crushed cookies in your dessert cups by adding a handful of crushed cookies to the bottom of each cup, then adding the chocolate pudding mixture, and finally topping it all with the crushed cookies.

Place the pudding cups in the fridge to set for 1-2 hours.

The Taste Test

This dessert is one of my favorites because my kids go wild for it, and it takes hardly any time to make.

One delicious result is that the cookies slightly soften in the pudding, truly giving this recipe its cookies and cream taste and appeal. Every bite is a bit of chocolate heaven, containing both the rich and creamy chocolate pudding and a bit of crushed gluten-free Oreo cookies.

Want to fast-track this recipe? Try my microwave chocolate pudding recipe.