23 Delicious Jar Desserts You Can Grab and Go

Jar desserts are perfect for parties, meal prep, or when you want something sweet that’s portion-controlled and portable. They look fancy but most are actually pretty simple to make. The clear jars show off all the pretty layers which makes them Instagram-worthy too. These 23 recipes range from no-bake options to more involved desserts, but all can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Jars

These have layers of edible cookie dough (made without eggs), whipped cream, and sometimes chocolate chips or crumbled cookies. The cookie dough is safe to eat because it doesn’t have raw eggs and the flour is heat-treated. Some recipes add a layer of chocolate ganache too. These are basically childhood dreams come true – eating cookie dough without getting in trouble! Perfect for kids’ parties or when you want something fun and nostalgic. Get the recipe here.

Strawberry Shortcake Parfait Jars

These layer crumbled shortcake or pound cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The strawberries are usually tossed with a little sugar to make them juicy. Some recipes use vanilla cake instead of shortcake which works fine too. The key is getting the ratios right so you get all three components in each bite. These taste like summer and are perfect for picnics or potlucks since they travel well. Fresh berries are best but frozen work in winter. Get the recipe here.

Tiramisu in a Jar

These have all the flavors of traditional tiramisu but in individual portions. Ladyfinger cookies get soaked in coffee, then layered with mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa powder. Some recipes cheat and use whipped cream mixed with cream cheese instead of pure mascarpone which saves money. The coffee-soaked cookies get soft and creamy which contrasts with the fluffy cream. These need to sit overnight to develop the right texture and flavor. Get the recipe here.

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Jars

These start with a graham cracker crust in the bottom, then a layer of lemon cheesecake filling, and topped with blueberry compote. The cheesecake layer is usually no-bake made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped cream. The blueberry topping can be fresh berries or cooked down into a sauce. These are tangy and sweet and look really pretty with the yellow and blue layers. Great for spring and summer when berries are good. Get the recipe here.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Layered Jars

These alternate layers of chocolate pudding or mousse with peanut butter cream. Some recipes add crushed peanut butter cookies or brownies for texture. The combo of chocolate and peanut butter is always a winner. These are super rich so the small jar portions are actually perfect. Great for peanut butter lovers or when you want something decadent without making a whole cake. These keep well in the fridge for several days. Get the recipe here.

Key Lime Pie Jars

These have a graham cracker crust on the bottom and a tart key lime filling on top. The filling is usually made with condensed milk, key lime juice, and whipped cream for a no-bake version. Some recipes add a layer of whipped cream on top and maybe a lime zest garnish. Regular lime juice works if you can’t find key limes. These are refreshing and perfect for summer or anytime you want something citrusy and light. Get the recipe here.

Banana Pudding Mason Jars

These layer vanilla pudding with sliced bananas and vanilla wafers or Nilla cookies. The cookies get soft from the pudding which is part of the charm. Some recipes add a layer of whipped cream or meringue on top. The trick is using ripe but not overripe bananas so they don’t get mushy. These taste like the classic Southern dessert but in convenient individual portions. Perfect for barbecues or potlucks. Get the recipe here.

Red Velvet Cake Jars

These start with crumbled red velvet cake (homemade or store-bought) layered with cream cheese frosting. Some recipes add white chocolate shavings or berries for extra flavor and color. The cake gets a little moist from sitting with the frosting which makes it even better. These look fancy with the red and white layers and are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Way easier than making a whole layer cake. Get the recipe here.

Salted Caramel Brownie Jars

These layer chunks of brownies with salted caramel sauce and whipped cream or vanilla pudding. The salt in the caramel balances the sweet brownies perfectly. Some recipes add chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra texture. The brownies can be homemade or from a box – nobody will judge you! These are super rich and decadent. Perfect for chocolate lovers or when you want something that feels really indulgent. Get the recipe here.

Peach Cobbler Jars

These have a layer of cinnamon-sugar crumble on the bottom, then cooked peaches, then more crumble and sometimes whipped cream on top. The peaches can be fresh in summer or canned the rest of the year. Some recipes add a drizzle of caramel sauce which makes them even better. These taste like traditional peach cobbler but you can eat them with a spoon. Great for summer parties or anytime you want comfort food in a jar. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle Jars

These layer chocolate cake with peanut butter pudding and whipped cream. Some recipes add chopped peanut butter cups or Reese’s pieces for extra peanut butter flavor and crunch. The cake can be homemade or store-bought – chocolate box mix works fine. These are a crowd pleaser since most people love the chocolate-peanut butter combo. Perfect for birthdays or when you need a dessert that serves a lot of people. Get the recipe here.

Apple Crisp Jars

These have a layer of cinnamon-sugar oat crumble on the bottom, then cooked cinnamon apples, then more crumble on top. Some recipes add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream when serving. The apples can be cooked ahead which makes assembly easy. These taste like fall in a jar and are perfect for apple season. The oat crumble gives nice texture against the soft apples. Great with coffee for an afternoon treat. Get the recipe here.

Oreo Dirt Cake Jars

These look like little potted plants but taste like cookies and cream. They layer chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos and sometimes gummy worms for a fun presentation. The “dirt” is just crushed chocolate cookies which looks surprisingly realistic. Kids love these because they’re fun and adults love them because Oreos. Some recipes add a layer of whipped cream which lightens them up a bit. Perfect for kids’ parties or when you want something playful. Get the recipe here.

Lemon Curd Tart Jars

These have a shortbread cookie crust crumbled in the bottom with lemon curd on top and maybe whipped cream. The lemon curd can be homemade or store-bought depending how much time you have. Some recipes add fresh berries on top which looks pretty and adds another flavor. These are bright and tangy and perfect for spring and summer. The individual portions make them feel fancy even though they’re simple to make. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Mousse Jars

These are just good chocolate mousse in individual jars, sometimes with whipped cream on top and chocolate shavings for garnish. The mousse can be made from scratch or you can cheat with instant pudding mix and whipped cream. These feel elegant and fancy but are actually pretty simple. Perfect for dinner parties or when you want something that looks impressive without too much work. The individual jars make portion control easy too. Get the recipe here.

Berry Vanilla Panna Cotta Jars

These have creamy vanilla panna cotta on the bottom with berry compote on top. Panna cotta is easier than people think – it’s just cream, sugar, and gelatin. The berry topping can be any berries you like cooked with a little sugar. Some recipes do layers of different colored panna cotta which looks really pretty. These are light and refreshing and perfect for summer dinner parties. They need time to set so plan ahead. Get the recipe here.

Caramel Apple Pie Jars

These layer graham cracker or pie crust crumbs with cooked cinnamon apples and caramel sauce. Some recipes add whipped cream or vanilla pudding too. The apples taste like pie filling and the caramel makes everything better. These are like apple pie but easier to eat and serve. Perfect for fall when apples are good or anytime you want comfort food. The individual portions mean everyone gets their own personal pie. Get the recipe here.

Nutella Banana Parfait Jars

These alternate layers of Nutella pudding or mousse with sliced bananas and sometimes crushed hazelnuts. The Nutella and banana combo is always good – like the spread on toast but in dessert form. Some recipes add a layer of whipped cream which lightens up the rich Nutella. These are rich so the small portions are perfect. Great for Nutella lovers or when you want something that feels indulgent but isn’t too heavy. Get the recipe here.

Coconut Lime Bars in Jars

These deconstruct coconut lime bars into jar form with a coconut cookie crust, lime curd filling, and coconut whipped cream on top. The tropical flavors are refreshing and perfect for summer. Some recipes add toasted coconut flakes on top for extra texture and flavor. These taste like vacation in a jar! The lime curd can be made ahead which makes assembly easy. Perfect for spring and summer parties. Get the recipe here.

Cinnamon Roll Cake Jars

These layer pieces of cinnamon roll cake with cream cheese frosting and sometimes a cinnamon sugar swirl. The cake can be homemade or you can cheat and use cinnamon roll mix from a tube. These taste like breakfast dessert which is the best kind! Some recipes add a drizzle of glaze on top just like real cinnamon rolls. Perfect for brunch or when you want something that feels like a treat but isn’t too fancy. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Raspberry Trifle Jars

These layer chocolate cake with raspberry filling and whipped cream. The raspberry can be jam, fresh berries, or raspberry pudding depending what you prefer. The chocolate-raspberry combo is classic and always works. Some recipes add chocolate shavings on top for extra chocolate flavor. These look elegant with the dark chocolate and bright red raspberries. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any romantic occasion. Get the recipe here.

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée Jars

These are individual crème brûlées made in jars instead of ramekins. They have the same creamy custard and caramelized sugar top but in a more portable format. You still need a kitchen torch to get that crispy sugar top which is half the fun. These feel really fancy and restaurant-quality. Perfect for impressing dinner guests or when you want to try making something challenging but elegant. Get the recipe here.

S’mores Layered Dessert Jars

These have all the flavors of campfire s’mores in jar form. They layer chocolate pudding with marshmallow fluff and crushed graham crackers. Some recipes torch the marshmallow on top for that authentic s’mores taste. These taste like childhood summer memories but you can make them in your kitchen any time of year. Perfect for kids’ parties or when you want something fun and nostalgic that adults will love too. Get the recipe here.