Dirt and Worms Ice Cream Floats

Here is a fun, easy, and utterly delightful recipe that the whole family will enjoy: Dirt and Worms Ice Cream Floats!

Dirt and worms floats are the kind of treat that works entirely because of the name. Kids who might ordinarily resist a float suddenly want one when there are gummy worms sticking out of it. The “dirt” is crushed Oreos, the “worms” are exactly what they sound like, and the whole thing takes about five minutes to assemble — pour, top, serve.

What exactly are Dirt and Worms floats?

Dirt and Worms desserts are a playful and delicious take on traditional sweet treats. They often involve ingredients like Oreo cookies (our edible ‘dirt’), gummy worms, and chocolate pudding or ice cream. One popular variant is the Dirt Cake, where you layer chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos (dirt cookies), and gummy worms in individual cups, creating fun dirt cups!

What ingredients do you need for this dirt dessert?

FAQ

Cookies and cream ice cream (6-8 scoops for 2 floats): The base flavor doing double duty — the Oreo pieces already in the ice cream reinforce the “dirt” concept before you even add the crushed cookie topping. Any brand works; this is not a recipe that needs premium ice cream to succeed. Chocolate ice cream is a valid substitute if cookies and cream isn’t available.

8 oz cola or root beer: One standard can (12 oz) is enough for two floats with some left over. Root beer is the classic float pairing — it has a sweetness that plays well against the chocolate elements. Cola is slightly more bitter, which some people prefer as a contrast. Either works. Pour slowly after adding the ice cream to control the fizz.

6 Oreo cookies, crushed: These are the “dirt” on top. Crush to a mix of fine crumbs and small chunks rather than powder — some texture makes it look more convincingly like dirt and gives each sip more crunch. A zip-top bag and a rolling pin takes about 30 seconds.

Chocolate syrup: Drizzled around the inside of the glass before the ice cream goes in, creating chocolate streaks visible through the glass. Hershey’s is the standard. The drizzle step is what makes the float look finished and intentional rather than just assembled.

Gummy worms: The “worms” in the dirt. Push them down into the crushed Oreo topping so they appear to be emerging from the ground — the visual is the whole point. A mix of full-size and mini worms gives more variation in how they look sticking out.

How do you make this ice cream milkshake?

Step 1: Drizzle the glasses
Drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of each glass, tilting as you go so the syrup coats the sides in streaks rather than pooling at the bottom. This is what shows through the glass in photos and makes the float look intentional.

Step 2: Add ice cream
Add 3-4 scoops of cookies and cream ice cream to each glass.

Step 3: Pour the soda
Slowly pour 4 oz of cola or root beer over the ice cream in each glass. Pour slowly — it will fizz up quickly. Leave about an inch of headspace at the top for the toppings.

Step 4: Top with dirt and worms
Sprinkle crushed Oreos generously over the top of each float — enough to cover the surface and create the “dirt” look. Press gummy worms down into the Oreo layer so they appear to be emerging. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a long spoon.

FAQs about Dirt and Worms Ice Cream Floats

Switch It Up

Halloween version: Use chocolate ice cream instead of cookies and cream for a darker “dirt” look. Add a plastic skeleton hand or tombstone candy decoration sticking out alongside the gummy worms. Swap gummy worms for gummy spiders or gummy bugs.

Orange cream float: Swap cookies and cream ice cream for vanilla and use orange soda instead of cola — a completely different flavor profile for fall gatherings that isn’t Halloween-specific.

Make it a true milkshake (if blending): If you want the actual blended version, blend 3-4 scoops of cookies and cream ice cream with ¼ cup milk until smooth, pour into the glass, and top with crushed Oreos and gummy worms — no soda involved. This is a milkshake; the base recipe as written is a float.

STORAGE

These don’t store — assemble and serve immediately. The soda will go flat and the Oreo topping will absorb moisture and lose its crunch if left sitting more than a few minutes. All components can be prepped ahead (crush the Oreos, set out the gummy worms, drizzle the glasses) and the float assembled per-glass right before serving.

The gummy worms sticking out of the Oreo dirt is the detail that makes this — push them in far enough that they look like they’re emerging, not just resting on top. Five minutes, five ingredients, two floats. Leave a comment and tell me whether you went with cola or root beer.

What are some other fun oreo recipes to try?

If you are looking for more amazing delicious milkshake and floats recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list –>  The Best Milkshake and Floats Recipes