How to Make a Tub of Edible Wriggly Worms

While there are cuisines that do use the real worm, it's a lot more appealing to most people to eat a candy version of worms as Halloween or party treats. Here is what to do to make your own tub of edible wriggly worms.

Ingredients

• 2 packs of raspberry flavored jello
• 3 packages/ 3/4 oz gelatin (unflavored) or agar
• 3/4 cup cream, suitable for whipping
• 3 cups boiling water
• 10-15 drops green food coloring
• Brown cookies (for dirt), Oreos with the cream center removed are good

Steps

1. 1
   Prepare the jello. Place the package of jello and gelatin or agar into a bowl and fill with boiling water. Set aside to cool for about 15-20 minutes but not long enough to set. The gelatin or agar will soften and blend in; either of these will add more strength to the setting of the gel.
   
   
2. 2
   When cooled enough, add the cream and the green food coloring. Only add the food coloring bit by bit until you're happy with the color; you may want less or more than advised here. Stir through thoroughly.
   
   
3. 3
   Place the straws upright in the milk carton, with the flexible bend end facing down. The flexible part of the straw helps to make the worms appear realistic and will definitely be filled if this end of the straw is facing downward. The fit of all the straws together should be very tight, so that the straws point straight up without sagging. If the straws seem to sag, put a rubber band around them to hold them in place tightly. Finally, make sure that each straw sits absolutely flat on the base of the container.
   
   
4. 4
   Pour the jello mix into the straws. Pour the jello mix from the bowl over the tops of the straw ends. You don't need to fill completely to the end, just enough to make decent worm lengths.
   
   
   • If your bowl doesn't have a pouring lip, it may be easier to transfer the mix to a pitcher that allows for pouring precisely.
   • An even more precise, albeit fiddly, method is to inject the mixture in: Use a clean syringe with a thin rubber tube attached to it. Fill the syringe with the jello mix, attach the tube and squirt into each straw, refilling as needed.
5. 5
   Refrigerate to set firm. This is best when left overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Do not place in the freezer or you'll get a mushy consistency and no worms.
   
   
6. 6
   Crumble the cookies. Place them in a bag and crush with a rolling pin. Tip the crumbs into the base of the container. This becomes the dirt underneath the worms.
   
   
7. 7
   Remove the worms. This part is a bit tricky and the method may need to be trialed before you get the right one:
   
   
   • Tap them to see if they'll simply slide out. Try a gentle squeezing action of the thumb and forefinger run up and down each straw to see if this helps.
   • Run warm water over each straw for a second or two and let the worm slip straight into the bowl. Do not get water into the tip of the straw or it can affect the worm inside.
   • Use the end of a bike pump's nozzle to "shoot" the worms out the other end with the force of the air being expelled.
   • Gently roll the rolling pin over the straw to expand the straw. Tip the worm into the bowl.
   • Place half of another straw over the top of one end and blow (provided you're in healthy condition, nobody wants cold germs).
8. 8
   Serve. Place the clear bowl filled with worms and dirt on the table. Sprinkle a few additional crumbs here and there to continue the impression of dirt.