Groundhog Day Pudding Cups

How cute and easy are these "groundhog" pudding cups I found on simplegirlathome.

February 2 is Groundhog Day each year.  Tradition has it that it began in the 1800's. According to an article by Angela Verges found on AnnArbor.com, a group of hunters in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania loved a story that the Germans who settled in Pennsylvania began predicting the end of winter after observing the habits of the local groundhog. A local newspaper editor, Clymer H. Freas, loved the folklore created about the groundhog so much, he began to promote Punxsutawney as the official home to the groundhog.  If the groundhog emerges from his burrow and stays out of his burrow, it is believed Spring will arrive early.  If he returns to his burrow, prepare for six more weeks of Winter.  Thus Groundhog Day was born.

One of our favorite traditions on Groundhog Day is to watch Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott in the movie Groundhogday.  A funny and sweet movie featuring Bill Murray playing a weatherman covering the Groundhog Day event, when he gets caught in a blizzard and finds himself in a time warp, reliving the same day over and over again.

Make the pudding cups featured above and enjoy during movie watching (along with your other favorite movie foods...popcorn or nachos).

I recommend using store bought pudding or jello instant pudding for the cups and crush oreos on top of the pudding for "dirt".  Use pepperidgefarm Milano cookies for the body.  I like to melt chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave for a minute or two (stir a couple of times), and spread the melted chocolate between two cookies.  Put a little on top of the cookie to attach ears that are half almond slivers.  Place melted chocolate in a ziplock bag, squeeze the chocolate into a corner and snip a small hole with scissors.  Place little eyes and a nose on the front of each groundhog.  Give him teeth using peanut butter or butterscotch chips.
After the chocolate has hardened, place a groundhog in each pudding cup and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Happy Groundhog Day!