These Mason Jar Pudding Desserts combine layers of creamy chocolate and vanilla pudding, crushed cookies, whipped topping, and fresh fruit into one easy no bake dessert.
Served in individual jars, they're fun to make ahead and easy to serve for family gatherings, potlucks, and summer get-togethers.
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Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tips for Perfect Mason Jar Desserts
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage Tips
- Freezing Instructions
- Recipe FAQ's
- 🌟Try these recipes next...
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Mason Jar Pudding Desserts
- Layer, Pack, and Serve — Fun Single-Serve Appetizers & Treats
- 💬 Comments
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 20 min | Chill: 2 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 16 jars
Main Ingredients: Chocolate pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix, Cool Whip, Oreo cookies, graham cracker crumbs, fresh berries
Why You'll Love It: Two different pudding flavors and toppings let everyone customize their own mason jar dessert.
Best For: Make-ahead desserts, family gatherings, potlucks, and summer entertaining.
Equipment Needed:
Tips for Perfect Mason Jar Desserts
- Add whipped topping, fresh fruit, and cookie crumbs just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
- Use clear mason jars to showcase the colorful layers of pudding, cookies, and fruit.
- Choose toppings that complement the flavor of your pudding, such as Oreo cookies for chocolate pudding or fresh berries for vanilla pudding.
- Prepare the pudding ahead of time and refrigerate until fully set before assembling the jars.
- Chill the assembled desserts for at least 1 hour to allow the layers to firm up and the flavors to blend.
Looking for more easy dessert recipes? Try my Chocolate Pudding Parfaits, Weight Watchers Graham Cracker Cool Whip Sandwich or my Easy Chocolate Mousse.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Mason Jars 4 OZ.More InformationMason Jars 8 OZ,More InformationRectangular Basket Lined with GinghamMore InformationServing Tray with HandlesMore InformationBandanasMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use your favorite flavor of pudding. Try banana or cheesecake flavored pudding!
- Add a layer of pound cake or angel food cake in place of the cookies and graham crackers. Check out my Strawberry Shortcake Mason Jar recipe that uses pound cake...yum!
- Layer in chopped nuts or granola!
- Top each trifle with chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce instead of fresh fruit.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Follow the package directions to prepare both pudding mixes. I used 2% milk to prepare the pudding.
Step 2: Then, chill the pudding in the refrigerator for about an hour before assembling your easy mason jar desserts.
Step 3: Start with a layer of cookie or graham cracker crumbs at the bottom of your mason jar. Spoon in some pudding, followed by a dollop of homemade whipped cream or whipped topping. If you're adding fruit, include a bit within each layer. Finally, top off each mason jar with a generous swirl of whipped topping.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO chill the mason jar desserts for at least 2 hours and let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
❌ DO NOT assemble the desserts too far in advance if using fresh fruit, as the fruit can release moisture and make the layers soft.
Storage Tips
- Store the mason jar desserts covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Keep the jars upright and tightly sealed to help maintain freshness.
Freezing Instructions
- I do not recommend freezing these pudding desserts.
- The pudding, fruit, cookies, and whipped topping can change texture after thawing, resulting in a softer, less creamy dessert.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
The best size mason jars to use for pudding desserts are the 4 ounce and 8 ounce size jars.
Yes, you can make the pudding ahead of time when preparing a pudding trifle. In fact, it's often recommended to make the pudding at least a few hours in advance so that it has enough time to set properly before you begin assembling your trifle.
To make sure your layers look neat and even, you can use a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with a corner snipped off to add the pudding or whipped cream layers. This will help you control the amount of filling you add to the jars and make sure the layers stay separate and distinct.
🌟Try these recipes next...
- No Bake Cheesecake Pudding Parfaits with Fresh Berries
- Berry Trifle with Angel Food Cake - also made in mason jars.
- Mason Jar Desserts
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🗒️Shopping List
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📖 Recipe Card
Mason Jar Pudding Desserts
Ingredients
- 2 boxes chocolate pudding mix; 3.5 ounce size each; prepared according to directions on box.
- 12 to 16 Oreo cookies; crushed
- 4 cups Cool Whip Whipped Topping
- 2 boxes vanilla pudding mix; 3.5 ounce size each; prepared according to directions on box.
- 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
- 4 cups Cool Whip Whipped Topping
- Sliced strawberries bananas and blueberries
Method
- Prepare the pudding mixes according to the directions on the back of each box.
- Next, add either the Oreo cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of a mason jar.
- Add a spoonful of pudding, followed by a spoonful of Cool Whip; repeat.
- If you are adding fruit to the cheesecake pudding desserts, add your fruit to each layer.
- Top off each mason jar with the Cool Whip.
- You can also decorate each mason jar with either part of an Oreo cookie or a few pieces of fruit.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tips
- Prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill until fully set before assembling the jars. This helps create neat, defined layers.
- Use clear mason jars to show off the layers of pudding, cookies, and fruit for the best presentation.
- Wait to add the whipped topping and fresh fruit garnish until just before serving to keep everything looking fresh.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store the assembled desserts covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. For the best texture, add the final toppings shortly before serving.
- These mason jar desserts are a great make-ahead option and can be assembled several hours or even a day in advance.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2015 with new instructions and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Layer, Pack, and Serve — Fun Single-Serve Appetizers & Treats
Love mason jar recipes? This eBook is packed with easy, fun ideas for meals, desserts, and gifts — perfect for any occasion!
Gail Yokeley says
How long will they keep in the refrigerator?
Lois says
They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover them with the mason jar lids or use plastic wrap. Thank you for visiting!
Sharon says
For the pudding is it two of the small box (3 oz) or the large boxes?
Lois says
Hi Sharon, I have listed in the recipe card, 3.5 ounce size pudding box. Hope this helps!
Linda Primmer says
We love mini ldesserts. Such an easy and delicious little dessert. Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity.
Linda on Poinsettia Drive says
Hi, love your post. I would like to invite you to come share this on the CLASSY FLAMINGOS BLOG PARTY held each Tuesday evening thru Friday. You'll get large picture exposure and shout outs on all of my social media sites. And if you get PINKED you get even more exposure! I hope you'll come by. poinsettiadr.com
Carrie says
Approximately how many jars does this recipe fill? I’m thinking about using this for a grad party. Thank you
Lois says
I guess that depends on the size mason jars you are going to use and how much whipped cream and cookie crumbs you add into each mason jar as well. One package of pudding will give you four to six servings of pudding in mason jars.
luvcook says
Yummy. Love your receip. Keep writing. I always support you!
Emily Buys says
Everything is cuter in a mason jar! These look yummy.
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
I love all of these ideas! No bake desserts are the best 🙂 Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday!
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) says
I love mason jar desserts... So lovely for picnics.