Drop of Disney

Hakuna Mataka! The new live action The Lion King releases today and to celebrate I’m excited to share these adorable grub cups! Timon and Pumbaa are one of favorite parts of The Lion King and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the new movie than making their favorite grubs.

Filled with chocolate pudding, Oreo crumb dirt, gummy worms, and homemade candy grubs, these fun grub cups are the perfect dessert or afternoon treat!

Pudding cups have always been one of my favorite snacks and while this homemade pudding is a little bit different than the Jello cups I usually have, it’s super creamy, chocolatety, and delicious.

For the pudding, you’ll make most of it in a pot on the stove, similar to making a custard. Be careful when mixing the hot milk into the eggs as if you do it too quickly, the eggs will scramble. Once the pudding is mixed together and thickened, place it in the refrigerator to cool for at least a few hours. The pudding will continue to thicken a bit as it cools.

As an added treat, I made colorful white chocolate grubs with orange and lemon cream fillings. These grubs are crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, just like Timon and Pumbaa’s favorites!

To make these candies, I melted colorful candy melts in a disposable piping bag and then piped the candy into silicone bug molds. When making filled candies, use molds that are somewhat deep so that there’s enough room for both the filling and layer of chocolate to cover it. I piped just enough candy melt into the molds to cover all of the sides. I found it helpful to use a small paintbrush to help cover the molds completely.

To make the cream filling, I melted down marshmallows with evaporated milk and sugar. Once it was melted and combined, I divided the filling in half and added a couple teaspoons of oil based lemon and orange extract and a few drops of corresponding gel food color.

Once the candy is set in the molds, pipe in the filling and then cover with another layer of candy melt. Place in the refrigerator to set again. Once everything is cooled and hard, gently pop the candies out of the mold.

To complete the grub cup, spoon some chilled pudding into a small bowl. Top with crushed Oreos to make the dirt and then place some gummy worms and chocolate grubs on top. Enjoy!

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Timon & Pumbaa’s Grub Cups

Rummage up some tasty grubs with these fun grub cups! Filled with chocolate pudding, Oreo crumbs, gummy worms, and homemade candy grubs, these tasty treats are the perfect way to celebrate the release of the new Lion King movie! Hakuna Matata!

Course Dessert

Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings 4 cups

Ingredients

Chocolate Pudding

• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 1 ¾ cups whole milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Grub Candies

• 4 ounces colored candy melts
• 4 ounces white candy melts
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
• 10 regular marshmallows
• 1 ½ teaspoons flavored extract (lemon, orange, raspberry, etc.)
• gel food coloring

Decorations

• gummy worms
• oreos, crushed

Instructions

Chocolate Pudding

1. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks until light yellow. Add cornstarch and ¼ cup milk and whisk until smooth.
2. In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and 1 ¾ cup milk. Bring mixture to just under a boil over medium heat.
3. Remove from heat and slowly pour the milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Once mixed, pour mixture back into the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
5. Once the mixture boils, reduce heat to a simmer and continue whisking until pudding is thickened, 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract.
7. Pour into a heatsafe bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding.
8. Chill for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.

Grub Candies

1. Place colored candy melts in a disposable piping bag. Melt in the microwave, checking every 30 seconds.
2. Pipe just enough candy melts into the bug molds to cover the bottom and sides of the mold. Use a small paintbrush to spread into corners.
3. Place molds into the refrigerator to set for 10-15 minutes. Save leftover candy melts to cover the candies once filled.
4. For the filling, place the white candy melts, and butter in a large heat-safe bowl. Set aside.
5. In a large saucepan, bring the evaporated milk and marshmallows to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once the mixture boils, let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Remove from the heat and pour over the butter and white candy melts. Stir until smooth.
7. Stir in the flavoring and a couple drops of food coloring.
8. When the mixture is cool enough to handle, place into a piping bag.
9. Gently pipe the filling into the candy molds, making sure to leave a little space for a layer of candy melts on top.
10. Re-melt leftover candy melts and pipe over the filling to close off each candy. Gently smooth with an icing spatula or knife if needed.
11. Place in the refrigerator to set, about 30 minutes.
12. Carefully pop candies out of the mold and store at room temperature.

Assembly

1. Spoon chocolate pudding into a small bowl.
2. Top with crushed oreos, gummy worms, and grub candies.

Recipe Notes

adapted from Fifteen Spatulas and Ice Cream Inspiration