Nightmare Before Christmas Dessert: Jack Skellington Pudding Cup Recipe

If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and looking for a creative and easy way to bring some of that spooky magic into your kitchen, these Jack Skellington Pudding Cups are the perfect treat. Whether you’re hosting a Nightmare Before Christmas movie night, planning a themed party, or just want to surprise your family with a fun Nightmare Before Christmas dessert, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Plus, I’ve included a free download for a Jack Skellington cupcake topper to make your desserts even more festive!

Jump to Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Nightmare Before Christmas Dessert

There’s something truly special about The Nightmare Before Christmas. The combination of Halloween and Christmas, the unforgettable characters, and the incredible visuals make it a favorite for many. These Jack Skellington pudding cups are a fun way to celebrate the movie with a treat that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.

This Nightmare Before Christmas dessert is:

• Simple to Prepare: With just a few ingredients and some creativity, you can have these ready in no time.
• Kid-Friendly: Little ones will love helping decorate the Jack Skellington faces.
• Customizable: You can switch up the pudding flavors or add extra toppings to suit your taste.

Jack Skellington Pudding Cup Recipe

These cute Jack Skellington pudding cups are easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. Here’s everything you need and the instructions to make them!

Ingredients

• 1 Small Vanilla Pudding Box
• 2 Cups Milk
• 3 Drops Purple Gel Food Coloring
• Whipped Cream, Blue Sprinkles, and Purple Sprinkles for topping

What You’ll Need

• Hand Mixer
• Large Spoon
• 5.5 oz Cups

Instructions

1. With a hand mixer, blend the vanilla pudding and two cups of milk.

2. Add in the purple food coloring and mix well until the pudding is thickened.

3. Scoop the pudding into the cups. I used 5.5 oz cups and made 3 servings. Smaller cups can be used to have a higher quantity, or just double up the recipe if you need more of the larger size.

4. Allow cups to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before topping and serving.

5.. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Tips for Making Perfect Jack Skellington Pudding Cups

Creating these Nightmare Before Christmas pudding cups is simple, but here are a few tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time:

• Chill the Pudding: Make sure your pudding is fully set and chilled before assembling the cups. This will keep the pudding from becoming too runny.
• Prep Ahead of Time: You can prepare the pudding in advance. Store the pudding in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the cups.

Variations on Jack Skellington Pudding Cups

Want to switch things up? Here are some fun variations to this Nightmare Before Christmas dessert that will keep things interesting:

• Different Pudding Flavors: While vanilla pudding is a classic choice, you can use other flavors like cookies and cream, or even a green pistachio pudding for a different twist. Layering different flavors can also add visual interest.
• Add Layers: Create more layers in your pudding cups by adding a layer of crushed cookies between two layers of pudding.
• Candy Toppings: Incorporate Halloween-themed candies like gummy worms, candy corn, or chocolate chips into the layers or on top of the pudding cups for extra texture and fun.
• Healthier Option: If you’re looking for a lighter version, use sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat whipped topping.

Jack Skellington Pudding Cup Variations

• Having an adult-only get together? Add 2 ounces of silver rum to the pudding mix!
• Crushed up Oreo cookies would be great added to the pudding mix or crushed on top.

Jack Skellington Cupcake Toppers

Want to make your own Jack Skellington cupcake topper for your pudding cups or cupcakes? Grab your free download and follow these instructions!

What You’ll Need

• Printer
• 1 Sheet of Heavy Cardstock
• Lollipop Sticks
• Hot Glue
• Hot Glue Gun
• Jack Skellington File

Instructions

1. Download the Jack Skellington file (sign up above).

2. Add the file to a Word document, Canva document, or something similar. Add the number of images needed and move to fit onto one page.

3. Change the background color to add some more fun!

4. Print on heavy cardstock and cut out.

5. Use your hot glue gun to attach the lollipop sticks to the back. If you want Jack to show on both sides, just double up the number of images you print and glue the stick in between two cutouts.

Tips for a Spooky Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Night

Planning a Nightmare Before Christmas movie night? These Jack Skellington pudding cups will fit right in! Here are a few more tips to make your night extra special:

• Decorate Your Space: Add some black and white decorations, twinkling fairy lights, and a few pumpkins to set the mood.
• Serve Other Themed Treats: Alongside your Jack Skellington pudding cups, consider serving other Nightmare Before Christmas desserts like “Oogie Boogie” popcorn (green-tinted popcorn with candy eyes) or “Sally’s Potion Bottles” (colorful drinks with creative labels).
• Create a Playlist: Play the movie’s iconic soundtrack before and after the film to keep the spooky vibes going.
• Costume Contest: If you’re hosting a party, encourage guests to dress as their favorite characters. You can even offer a prize for the best costume!

Looking for other spooky movie night ideas? Check out these Hocus Pocus crafts and recipes!

Creating these Jack Skellington pudding cups is a fun and easy way to celebrate The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether you’re hosting a movie night, planning a party, or just want to whip up something special for the family, this Nightmare Before Christmas dessert is sure to impress. Don’t forget to download your free Jack Skellington cupcake topper to add that extra touch of magic!