Better Homes and Gardens

Mason Jar Desserts That Leave Bowls Behind

By Kristy Alpert

Leave the bowls in your cupboard—these make-ahead desserts are best served in Mason jars. With trifles, pudding, and even pie, these picture-perfect Mason jar desserts make great gifts for friends and neighbors or sweet treats on the go. Check out our favorite desserts-in-a-jar recipes.

Strawberry Rhubarb Cheesecake Parfaits

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

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Strawberry and rhubarb are a classic combo, and this easy Mason jar dessert recipe lets the ingredients shine by turning this trifle into individual desserts in a jar. Just layer strawberries and rhubarb with easy cheesecake cream for a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for picnicking.

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Apple-Berry Pie in a Jar

Apple-Berry Pie in a Jar

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

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Mini Mason jar pies? Yes, please! This adorable Mason jar dessert recipe is baked directly in Mason jars so everyone can have their own portion for a delicious dessert in a jar.

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Peppermint Fudge Pie with Peppermint Chantilly Cream

Peppermint Fudge Pie with Peppermint Chantilly Cream

CREDIT: KARLA CONRAD

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Crushed peppermint candies and crushed chocolate wafer cookies add a satisfying crunch to these festive Mason jar treats. Make these Mason jar desserts for Christmas or keep the season bright all year long by swapping out the peppermints for your favorite candies.

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Fresh Strawberry-Rhubarb Parfaits

Fresh Strawberry-Rhubarb Parfaits

CREDIT: MATTHEW CLARK

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This 20-minute Mason jar dessert recipe features layers of vibrant strawberries and fresh rhubarb for a sweet treat that’s so fun to eat. This make-ahead dessert can stay in the fridge for up to 24 hours, making it a great pick for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks.

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Toffee Blondies in a Jar

Toffee Blondies In A Jar

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

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These tasty toffee blondies make great Mason jar desserts for Christmas or anytime of the year. Simply layer the dry ingredients and your friends or neighbors can add in the wet ingredients and bake these themselves.

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Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

Strawberry Shortcake Parfaits

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These adorable parfaits are perfect little picnic desserts in a jar. Layer the shortcake in a Mason jar with additional layers of fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream and top it all with a single strawberry for a picture-perfect parfait.https://3636b1fbeefb20c22783f9fe971481ee.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.htmlADVERTISEMENT

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Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Pudding

CREDIT: ANDY LYONS

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Everybody loves individual desserts in a jar! This classic Mason jar dessert recipe uses Dutch cocoa powder for a rich chocolaty pudding that’s easy to love.

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Strawberry-Poppy Seed Cheesecake Jars

Strawberry-Poppy Seed Cheesecake Jars

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Tiny poppy seeds make these pink desserts in a jar each look like a strawberry in a jar. Garnish each 4-ounce Mason jar with fresh mint leaves to resemble the leaves on a strawberry and make these mini desserts really pop.

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Mason Jar Lid Pie

Mason Jar Lid Pie

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Making blueberry pie has never been easier—or cuter! Purchased pie dough makes the assembly a snap. Use the lids from Mason jars to make these delicious mini desserts.

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Affogato Trifles

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For an Italian twist on classic trifles, try this delicious dessert jar idea that layers crushed biscotti, vanilla ice cream, and shots of espresso. Serve in individual jars to take these Mason jar treats on the go.

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Hot Chocolate Drink Base

Hot Chocolate Drink Base

CREDIT: BLAINE MOATS

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There’s nothing powdery about this decadent dessert jar idea. This hot chocolate drink base is stored in a Mason jar and can act as a rich and fudgy topping for ice cream, but it is best when mixed with hot milk.

Related: How to Make Delicious Ice Cream from Scratch Using Only a Mason Jar

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Easy Chocolate Trifles

Easy Chocolate Trifles

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Simply layer chunks of pre-made brownies and generous scoops of chocolate sauceinside individual Mason jars for these simple make-ahead desserts. Chocolate trifles are great picnic desserts in jars but are also great to store in the fridge for whenever those chocolate cravings hit.https://3636b1fbeefb20c22783f9fe971481ee.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.htmlADVERTISEMENT

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Harvest Pumpkin Trifle

Harvest Pumpkin Trifle

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For a trifle that’s packed with fall flavors, try this Mason jar dessert recipe that layers pound cake, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin. Make these individual trifles in Mason jars for a cute make-ahead dessert for a party.

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Individual Brownie Cheesecakes in Jars

Individual Brownie Cheesecakes in Jars

CREDIT: JASON DONNELLY

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Snowman hats and scarves are optional for these little individual desserts in a jar, but they do make these chocolaty cheesecakes perfect little Mason jar desserts for winter. Layers of sweet cream are topped with honey-roasted peanuts and caramel corn just before serving with a drizzle of caramel topping.