Not at all! This is a wonderfully flexible recipe designed for personalization. While mini Oreos provide a classic chocolatey crunch, you can easily substitute them with other delightful options. Consider using vanilla wafers for a lighter flavor, Golden Grahams for a unique honey-graham taste and texture, or even mini chocolate chip cookies for a different take on a classic. The key is to choose a cookie that you believe will complement the creamy pudding and fun toppings, making it truly your own “brew.”

Absolutely! While cheesecake pudding creates a rich and creamy base for our “brew,” feel free to experiment with other flavors. If you’re aiming for that signature green “witches brew” look, I suggest sticking with lighter-colored puddings like vanilla, French vanilla, or white chocolate, as they take green food coloring best. However, if you’re open to a different spooky theme, chocolate pudding combined with crushed Oreo cookies creates a fantastic “dirt bag” effect, perfect for a graveyard treat!

The beauty of these snack bags lies in their versatility, especially when it comes to toppings. I understand that specific candies might not always be available, so feel free to get creative! Beyond gummy worms, candy eyeballs, and candy bones, consider adding: gummy spiders or bats, candy corn for a pop of color, pop rocks for a fizzy surprise, brightly colored sprinkles (orange, purple, black), mini chocolate chips, or even pretzel sticks to look like witch brooms. Use what you love and what fits your Halloween theme to make each bag uniquely eerie and delicious.

For individual “walking treats,” we recommend using the mini-sized snack bags of cookies. These typically weigh around 1 ounce each and are perfectly portioned for single servings, making them ideal for parties or trick-or-treating alternatives. You can usually find them in multi-packs in the snack or cookie aisle of most grocery stores, making it easy to prepare a batch for a crowd without needing to portion out cookies yourself.

Absolutely! If you’re short on time or simply prefer the convenience, pre-made pudding snack packs are an excellent alternative to preparing instant pudding from scratch. To achieve the signature green “witches brew” color, you’ll want to either stir a few drops of green food coloring directly into each individual pudding cup, or for more consistent coloring, empty all the pudding into a larger bowl, mix in the food coloring, and then spoon it back into the snack bags. This shortcut significantly speeds up the preparation process without sacrificing flavor or fun!

These Witches Brew Snack Bags are undeniably at their best when served freshly prepared, offering the perfect contrast of crunchy cookies and creamy pudding. However, if you need to prepare them a few hours in advance, they will hold up well. I recommend storing them upright in a baking dish or a sturdy container in the refrigerator to prevent them from toppling over. This also makes for an attractive presentation when serving. Aim to assemble them no more than 1-2 hours before serving for optimal texture and freshness, as prolonged storage can cause the cookies to soften too much.

The name “Witches Brew” perfectly captures the fun and spooky essence of these Halloween treats! The vibrant green pudding gives the impression of a bubbling, mysterious concoction, while the assortment of candy “ingredients” like gummy worms, candy eyes, and bones adds to the magical, slightly gross-out, witchy theme. It’s designed to evoke the imagery of a witch’s cauldron, brimming with strange and wonderful (but delicious!) components, making it an imaginative and fitting name for a Halloween dessert.

Adapting these snack bags for dietary needs is certainly possible with a few smart substitutions! For a dairy-free version, choose a dairy-free instant pudding mix (often made with almond or soy milk) and a plant-based whipped topping like coconut whip. Ensure your cookies (such as Oreos) are dairy-free; many accidentally are, but always check labels. For gluten-free, opt for gluten-free sandwich cookies (many brands offer GF versions similar to Oreos) and verify that your pudding mix and candies are certified gluten-free. Always double-check ingredient labels for specific dietary concerns.

Begin by preparing your cheesecake pudding. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the instant pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk. Whisk thoroughly for about 2 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken and is completely smooth. This forms the creamy, flavorful base for your spooky brew.

Once the pudding is prepared, gently fold in about half of a 4-ounce tub of Cool Whip whipped topping. This addition makes the pudding lighter, fluffier, and even more delicious. Next, add drops of green gel food coloring, stirring it in until you achieve your desired “witches brew” shade. I opted for a lighter, more mystical green to give it an ethereal glow, but feel free to go as vibrant or as subtle as you like!

Carefully open each mini Oreo cookie snack bag. For easier filling and a neater presentation, gently roll down the tops of the bags a bit, creating a wider opening. Then, using a spoon, generously fill each bag with approximately three large spoonfuls of your vibrant green pudding mixture. Make sure to distribute it evenly among the cookies, creating a delightful layering effect.

Now for the fun part: spooky toppings! Once the pudding is in place, adorn each bag with an assortment of eerie delights. Carefully place gummy worms so they appear to be wriggling out of the brew, add a few candy eyes to give your snack bag a watchful gaze, and sprinkle in some candy bones for a truly ghastly touch. These toppings not only add incredible flavor but also bring the “witches brew” theme to life.