Easy Christmas desserts in a jar for parties and gifts, from mini cheesecakes, tiramisu and trifles to peppermint cheesecake, gingerbread parfaits, pecan pie jars and red velvet jars.

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Desserts in a jar are made for the holidays. Every guest gets their own portion, there is no cutting or plating, and you can make them a day or two ahead.

These 25 ideas include no-bake cheesecakes, layered trifles, mousse, puddings and warm baked treats like apple crumble and pecan pie jars. Most use simple ingredients and take under 30 minutes of hands-on time.

Each recipe makes 6 small jars (about 8 oz each). Use 4 oz jars for a big party and double the recipe.

Planning holiday treats? You might also like 25 Amazing Gingerbread Dessert Ideas, 30 Christmas Fudge Recipes and 25 Mason Jar Christmas Gift Ideas.

What You Need

• 4 oz and 8 oz mason jars with lids for single servings.
• Disposable piping bags for neat layers.
• Mini wooden spoons to tie onto gift jars.
• Christmas jar labels to list the dessert and storage note.
• A jar carrier or tray to carry jars to parties safely.

Dessert type	Make ahead	Keeps in fridge
No-bake cheesecake jars	Up to 2 days	4 days
Trifles and parfaits	Up to 1 day	2 to 3 days
Mousse and pudding	Up to 2 days	3 to 4 days
Baked jars (crumble, pecan pie)	Up to 2 days	4 days

25 Christmas Desserts in a Jar

Each recipe makes about 6 jars (8 oz) or 12 small jars (4 oz).

1. Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes in a Jar

A graham cracker crust, creamy no-bake filling and any topping you like. The easiest crowd-pleaser on this list.

Top with cherry pie filling, berries or chocolate sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1 can cherry pie filling

Instructions:

1. Mix the crumbs and butter and press 2 tablespoons into each jar.
2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe the filling into the jars.
4. Chill 2 hours and top with cherry filling.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

2. Tiramisu in a Jar

Coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream in neat layers. A party favorite.

Use decaf coffee if kids will be eating it.

Ingredients:

• 12 ladyfingers
• 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
• 8 oz mascarpone
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

1. Beat the mascarpone and sugar, then fold in the whipped cream.
2. Break ladyfingers into pieces and dip quickly in coffee.
3. Layer ladyfingers and cream twice in each jar.
4. Dust with cocoa and chill 4 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

3. Christmas Trifle Jars

Pound cake, vanilla pudding, berries and whipped cream in red, white and green layers.

Use raspberries and kiwi for Christmas colors.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cake, cubed
• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, made with 2 cups milk
• 2 cups raspberries
• 2 kiwis, diced
• 2 cups whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Make the pudding and let it set 5 minutes.
2. Layer cake, pudding, fruit and whipped cream in each jar.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. Chill 1 hour and top with a raspberry.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 2 days in the fridge

4. Banana Pudding Jars

Vanilla wafers, sliced bananas and creamy pudding. A Southern favorite in single servings.

Slice the bananas just before layering so they do not brown.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped topping
• 3 bananas, sliced
• 36 vanilla wafers

Instructions:

1. Whisk the pudding and milk 2 minutes, then fold in the whipped topping.
2. Layer wafers, bananas and pudding in each jar.
3. Repeat and finish with crushed wafers.
4. Chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 2 days in the fridge

5. Chocolate Mousse Jars

Light, airy chocolate mousse made with just a few ingredients.

Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. Whip the cream, sugar and vanilla to soft peaks.
2. Fold a third of the cream into the chocolate, then fold in the rest.
3. Pipe into jars.
4. Chill 3 hours and top with shavings.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

6. Peppermint Cheesecake Jars

Chocolate cookie crust, peppermint cheesecake and crushed candy canes. It tastes like Christmas.

Add a mini candy cane on top for a cute gift.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Mix the cookie crumbs and butter and press into the jars.
2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream. Add the peppermint extract.
3. Pipe the filling over the crust.
4. Chill 2 hours and top with crushed candy canes.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

7. Gingerbread Parfaits

Crushed gingersnaps, spiced cream cheese mousse and whipped cream. All the flavors of a gingerbread cookie.

A drizzle of molasses on top adds extra flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed gingersnaps
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, brown sugar and spices. Fold in half the whipped cream.
2. Layer gingersnaps and mousse in jars.
3. Top with the rest of the whipped cream.
4. Chill 1 hour and sprinkle with crumbs.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

8. Red Velvet Cake Jars

Red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting layered in jars. Bright red and white for the holidays.

Use a boxed cake mix to save time.

Ingredients:

• 1 baked red velvet cake (from a mix), cooled and crumbled
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
2. Layer crumbled cake and frosting in each jar.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. Top with red sprinkles and chill.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 4 days in the fridge

9. Brownie Parfait Jars

Fudgy brownie pieces, chocolate pudding and whipped cream. A chocolate lover’s dream.

Store-bought brownies work great here.

Ingredients:

• 9×9 pan of brownies, cubed
• 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding, made with 2 cups milk
• 2 cups whipped cream
• Mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Make the pudding and let it set.
2. Layer brownies, pudding and whipped cream in jars.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. Top with chocolate chips and chill.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

10. Pecan Pie in a Jar

Pie crust on the bottom and gooey pecan filling on top, baked right in the jar.

Use oven-safe jars and bake on a sheet pan.

Ingredients:

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Press circles of pie crust into 6 oven-safe 8 oz jars.
2. Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla. Stir in the pecans.
3. Fill the jars two-thirds full.
4. Bake on a sheet pan 30 to 35 minutes until set. Cool before lidding.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

11. Apple Crumble Jars

Warm cinnamon apples under a buttery oat crumble. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Bake in oven-safe jars or make in a pan and spoon into jars.

Ingredients:

• 4 apples, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup oats
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons cold butter

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Toss the apples with sugar, cinnamon and lemon and divide into jars.
2. Rub the oats, flour, sugar and butter into crumbs.
3. Top the apples with crumble.
4. Bake on a sheet pan 30 minutes until bubbly.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

12. Pumpkin Cheesecake Jars

Creamy pumpkin cheesecake over a gingersnap crust. Great for early Christmas parties.

Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. Mix the crumbs and butter and press into jars.
2. Beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and spice. Fold in the whipped cream.
3. Pipe into the jars.
4. Chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

13. Cranberry Cheesecake Jars

Tangy cranberry sauce over vanilla cheesecake. Bright red and perfect for the holidays.

Leftover cranberry sauce works perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. Press the buttered crumbs into the jars.
2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream. Add the orange zest.
3. Pipe the filling in and top with cranberry sauce.
4. Chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

14. Chocolate Pudding Cups

Homemade chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint.

Kids love these at holiday parties.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 3/4 cups milk
• 2 oz chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Whisk the sugar, cocoa and cornstarch in a pot. Whisk in the milk.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick, about 8 minutes.
3. Stir in the chocolate and vanilla and pour into jars.
4. Chill 2 hours and top with whipped cream.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

15. Eggnog Cream Jars

Eggnog pudding with a gingersnap base and nutmeg on top.

Use store-bought eggnog for a quick version.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups cold eggnog
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 cup crushed gingersnaps
• Ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Whisk the pudding with the eggnog for 2 minutes.
2. Fold in the whipped cream.
3. Layer gingersnaps and eggnog cream in jars.
4. Chill and dust with nutmeg.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 days in the fridge

16. Black Forest Jars

Chocolate cake, cherry filling and whipped cream. Classic Black Forest flavor without baking a layer cake.

Add chocolate shavings on top.

Ingredients:

• 1 chocolate cake (from a mix), baked and cubed
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 2 cups whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. Layer cake, cherries and whipped cream in jars.
2. Repeat the layers.
3. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.
4. Add chocolate shavings and chill.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

17. Cookies and Cream Jars

Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies folded into a no-bake cheesecake filling.

Top with a whole cookie for a fun look.

Ingredients:

• 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream.
2. Fold in half of the crushed cookies.
3. Layer the remaining crumbs and filling in jars.
4. Chill 2 hours and top with a cookie.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

18. Winter Strawberry Shortcake Jars

Shortcake pieces, sweet strawberries and whipped cream. Use frozen strawberries in winter.

Pretty red and white layers for a Christmas table.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cake or 6 shortcakes, cubed
• 3 cups strawberries, sliced (thawed if frozen)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Toss the strawberries with sugar and let sit 15 minutes.
2. Layer cake, strawberries and cream in jars.
3. Repeat the layers.
4. Chill 1 hour.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 2 days in the fridge

19. Hot Chocolate Dessert Jars

Chocolate pudding, marshmallow cream and mini marshmallows. Tastes like a mug of hot cocoa.

Torch the marshmallows for a toasted top.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding, made with 2 cups milk
• 1 cup marshmallow cream
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Mini marshmallows and cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Fold the marshmallow cream into the whipped cream.
2. Layer pudding and marshmallow cream in jars.
3. Top with mini marshmallows.
4. Dust with cocoa and chill.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

20. Lemon Cheesecake Jars

Light lemon cheesecake with a graham base. A fresh option among rich holiday desserts.

Top with lemon curd or blueberries.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup lemon curd

Instructions:

1. Press the buttered crumbs into the jars.
2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream. Add the lemon zest and juice.
3. Pipe the filling in.
4. Top with lemon curd and chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

21. Salted Caramel Jars

Vanilla pudding, salted caramel sauce and crushed pretzels for sweet and salty layers.

Use jarred caramel to save time.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, made with 2 cups milk
• 1 cup salted caramel sauce
• 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Flaky salt

Instructions:

1. Layer pretzels, pudding and caramel in jars.
2. Repeat the layers.
3. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.
4. Sprinkle with flaky salt.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

22. Snowy White Chocolate Cheesecake Jars

White chocolate cheesecake topped with coconut snow. Pretty and wintery.

Add a tiny sugar snowflake on top.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 4 oz white chocolate, melted
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut

Instructions:

1. Press the buttered crumbs into the jars.
2. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream. Beat in the melted white chocolate.
3. Pipe the filling in.
4. Top with coconut and chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

23. Sticky Toffee Pudding Jars

Soft date cake with warm toffee sauce. A classic British Christmas dessert.

Warm in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup toffee or caramel sauce

Instructions:

1. Soak the dates in boiling water and baking soda for 10 minutes.
2. Beat the butter and sugar, add eggs, then flour and the dates.
3. Fill oven-safe jars halfway and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
4. Poke holes and pour toffee sauce over the top.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

24. White Chocolate Raspberry Jars

White chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce swirled through.

Red and white layers look festive.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz white chocolate, melted
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped
• 2 cups raspberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. Mash the raspberries with sugar.
2. Fold the whipped cream into the cooled white chocolate.
3. Layer mousse and raspberry sauce in jars.
4. Chill 2 hours.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 to 4 days in the fridge

25. Christmas Cake in a Jar Gift

Vanilla cake baked right in the jar and sealed for gifting. It stays moist for days.

Add sprinkles to the batter for a funfetti look.

Ingredients:

• 1 box vanilla cake mix plus ingredients on the box
• 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles
• Frosting to serve

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 325°F and grease 6 oven-safe 8 oz jars.
2. Make the batter and fold in the sprinkles.
3. Fill the jars halfway and bake on a sheet pan 30 to 35 minutes.
4. Lid while warm for a tight seal. Add frosting when serving.

Makes: 6 jars | Keeps: 3 days at room temperature

Christmas Desserts in a Jar FAQs

How far ahead can I make desserts in a jar?

Most no-bake jars can be made 1 to 2 days ahead. Add crunchy toppings and fresh fruit just before serving.

Can I bake in mason jars?

Only in jars marked oven-safe. Bake them on a sheet pan and avoid sudden temperature changes.

What size jar is best for desserts?

4 oz jars are great for parties. 8 oz jars work for gifts or a full dessert.

How do I give desserts in a jar as gifts?

Deliver chilled desserts the same day with a note to refrigerate. Baked cake jars and pecan pie jars travel best.

How do I get clean layers?

Use a piping bag, chill each layer briefly and wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel.

Pick one creamy jar, one chocolate jar and one fruity jar, and your holiday dessert table is done.

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