Drool-Worthy, No-Bake Mason Jar Desserts

Written by
Joan Hodges 

Mason jars are on-trend big time right now, and they’re just perfect for miniature, no-bake desserts.

Whether it be a picnic-ready treat or after-dinner sweet, these recipes are easy to prepare and will delight your family’s taste buds.

Learn how to make these mini versions of your favorite desserts with these easy recipes.

Key Lime Pie
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With summer on the horizon, who doesn't absolutely love the lightness of key lime pie?

Ingredients:
1 pack of graham crackers
2 tbsp. butter
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
7 oz. condensed milk
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
Key lime juice (to taste)
Whipped topping
Limes (garnish)

Directions:
Crush up your graham crackers and mix with butter in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together cream cheese, condensed milk, yogurt and key lime juice. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes. Layer in graham cracker mixture, then pie filling, back and forth until the jar is almost full.

Add whipped topping and serve with lime on top!
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Banana Split
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Nothing says nostalgia like a delicious banana split – no messy ice cream required! You can either make your own chocolate sauce and whipped cream for this treat or use already-made condiments for convenience. The best part? Add in whatever favorite fruits you'd like—try pineapple for a Dairy Queen-style banana split.

Ingredients:
Whipped cream
Chocolate sauce
1 cup strawberries
1 cup bananas (sliced)
1/2 cup walnuts (crushed)

Directions:
Layer all ingredients one after the other in the jars. Top with walnuts as your last layer. Voila!
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Lemon Cheesecake
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This tart twist on cheesecake is to-die for and is sure to make the kiddos smile.

Ingredients:
For the Curd
7 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
1 cup and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup lemon zest
Salt (to taste)
4 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. cream

For the Cheesecake
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup granulated sugar
16 oz. cream cheese (softened)

For the Crust
14 graham crackers
4 tbsp. butter

Directions:
For the curd layer, whisk the egg yolks and whole eggs in a saucepan. Add sugar, lemon juice, zest, salt and butter. Cook on medium heat, whisking together constantly until thickened (10 minutes). Pour over mesh into a bowl. Add cream and whisk. Cover with plastic wrap (touching the curd) and refrigerate until chilled.

For the cheesecake, combined heavy cream and sugar in a bowl. Beat on high until mixture thickens. Beat in cream cheese on low until smooth.

Crumble up the graham crackers and combine with melted butter in a bowl. Layer in, starting with graham cracker mixture, then cheesecake and then curd. Top with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbles.
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Strawberry Shortcake
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The strawberry shortcake is the original no-bake dessert, but this Mason jar twist makes it all the better.

Ingredients:
2 3/4-inch slices of angel food cake
Fresh strawberries
2 oz. heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
In a bowl, whisk heavy whipping cream with sugar and vanilla until fluffy (like whipped cream). To fit the Mason jar, cut a circle in each slice of cake and layer in strawberries, then whipped cream. Repeat until full, with the last layer being the whipped cream.
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Mud Pie
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The kids will love the name of this one – and the taste! It's so easy to make that even the little ones can pitch in, just be careful with the caffeine intake.

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup strong coffee, chilled
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Oreo cookies

Directions:
Mix all ingredients with an ice cream maker according to the particular machine's instructions. Pour into mason jars and freeze and then top with whole or crushed Oreos.
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About the Author

Joan Hodges ACTIVE.com Contributor
Joan Hodges writes nutrition articles for ACTIVE.com. As a health and wellness blogger based in Dallas, Texas, she has been inspired by her own journey of full mental and physical recovery. Joan is a devout yogi, dog lover and self-love advocate. You can read about her health journey here.