16graham cracker squares* or golden sandwich cookies
1-2Tablespoonchocolate sprinklesfor the "ants"
Instructions
Place graham crackers or cookies into a resealable bag. Seal bag. Using a wood mallet or spoon, crush graham crackers until fine.
Take out some plain crushed graham crackers and place in a bowl. Set aside. (This will be used as the plain sand topping after chilling the pudding cups.)
In the bag of crushed graham crackers, mix in chocolate sprinkles. Be sure to mix more chocolate sprinkles than graham crackers. (That’s the trick to getting the sprinkles to show through and look like ants crawling in the sand.) Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, whisk milk and pudding until pudding is dissolved. Set aside to thicken (about 5 minutes).
Once pudding has thickened, fold thawed whipped topping into the pudding. Stir.
In a small clear glass (like a juice glass), layer pudding and graham crackers/sprinkle mixture. The trick to making it look like an "ant city" is NOT to layer it in straight layers. Instead, start with a small layer of pudding on the bottom. Spoon a small amount of the graham cracker mixture against one portion of the side of the glass. Then, spoon a little more pudding and push more graham crackers to the other side of the glass. (See picture for visual.) Keep layering and end at top with pudding.
Chill for at least 60 minutes to set.
Remove from refrigerator and top with plain crushed graham crackers you set aside. Serve immediately.
Notes
*If you're making these as edible ant houses instead of just sand pudding cups, the graham crackers look better with the "ants" (chocolate sprinkles). You can also used crushed Vanilla ('Nila) wafers.We like to wait until we remove the cups from the chilling step to add the graham cracker toppings. Sometimes, the graham crackers or cookies can get soggy during the chilling phase if you put them on first.QUICK TIP: Want to make this super easy for a fast dessert or for toddler recipes? Use those prepackaged pudding packs!