What is better than dessert? Well, dessert served in a mason jar, of course. These three fruity desserts are fast and easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser because who doesn’t want their own cute little jar of sweet deliciousness after dinner.
When planning what to make for a party, I always try to lean towards simple.. minimal ingredients, quick preparation time and preferable something I can make in advance. These three mason jar recipes check all those boxes and I highly recommend making one (or all) for your next get together.
Mason jars really makes these desserts stand out and, thankfully, it’s currently canning season so they are likely plentiful in your local hardware store. Play with jar sizes.. I’ve found smaller jars work better for richer and creamier desserts (cherry cheesecake and banana cream pie) while larger options are better for more light and airy desserts (peach trifle). Once you purchase your jars, be sure to clean them all (covers included). If you don’t have or can’t find mason jars, all of these desserts can also be made in larger containers like a pie dish (cherry cheesecake and banana cream pie) or bowl (peach trifle).
Alright, let’s get into these recipes, shall we?
Cherry Cheesecake
Ingredients:
2 sleeves graham crackers
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup heavy cream
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 can cherry pie filling
Directions:
- Place graham crackers in a plastic gallon size bag and crush until fine (I used the bottom of a jar). Dump crushed crackers into a bowl and mix with granulated sugar. Once combined, add melted butter and mix until cracker mixer begins to stick together.. it will still be crumbly. Scoop graham cracker mixture into the bottom of jars and pat down using a spoon.
- Pour heavy cream into large bowl and beat until hard peaks. Then, add cream cheese and vanilla and mix just until smooth. Finally, add confectioner’s sugar to cream mixture and mix until combined. Spoon desired amount of cream mixture into mason jars on top of graham cracker bottom.
- Spoon a dollop of cherry pie filling on top of cream mixture.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Peach Trifle
Ingredients:
6 peaches, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
1 pound cake or angel food cake, store bought
Directions:
- Wash and chop peaches to slightly smaller than bite size. In a bowl, combine peaches, cinnamon, granulated sugar, brown sugar and lemon juice. Allow to sit for 20 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream into a large bowl and beat until hard peaks. Add vanilla and confectioner’s sugar and beat until just combined.
- Cube pound/angel food cake and arrange a layer at the bottom of your jar. Add peach mixture followed by whipped cream mixture.
- If using larger jars or a trifle bowl, repeat these layers until filled.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients:
2 sleeves graham crackers
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
2 ripe bananas, sliced
Directions:
- Place graham crackers in a plastic gallon size bag and crush until fine (I used the bottom of a jar). Dump crushed crackers into a bowl and mix with granulated sugar. Once combined, add melted butter and mix until cracker mixer begins to stick together.. it will still be crumbly. Scoop graham cracker mixture into the bottom of jars and pat down using a spoon.
- Pour cold milk into a bowl and add vanilla pudding powder. Whisk for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Pour pudding mixture into jars over graham cracker bottom.
- Pour heavy cream into a large bowl and beat until hard peaks. Add vanilla and confectioner’s sugar and beat until just combined. Scoop a dollop of whipped cream into jars over pudding mixture.
- Top with sliced bananas. You’ll be surprised how much banana flavor a few slices brings to the entire dish.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Love, Jessica 