Picnic Pudding Jars

Picnic Pudding Jars make the perfect ending to a summer picnic or outdoor date! This simple, make ahead, no bake dessert is a delicious dessert that is light, creamy and refreshing with notes of sweet summer lemon and fresh berries. Made with layers of my 60 Second Lemon Pudding, cookie crumbs and homemade whipped cream, this easy summer treat comes together beautifully and is best enjoyed al fresco.

A dessert in a jar, like these Picnic Pudding Jars, emphasizes convenience and ease of preparation, making it an appealing choice for any occasion.

Now that we’re entering warmer months, one of the things that my husband and I love to do is have a relaxing picnic at one of the parks nearby.

It’s a great way to get out of the house, reconnect with nature and enjoy some great food.

Surprisingly, I’m always in charge of dessert.

When I got around to making my 60 Second Lemon Pudding, I instantly knew that it would work great for picnic pudding jars.

Introduction to Mason Jar Desserts

Mason jar desserts have become a popular trend in recent years, and for good reason! These adorable desserts are perfect for individual servings, making them ideal for parties, picnics, and special occasions.

Mason jar desserts are also a great way to get creative with your dessert-making skills, as you can experiment with different flavors, ingredients, and presentation styles.

Whether you’re layering chocolate pudding with whipped cream or creating a graham cracker crust topped with fresh berries, the possibilities are endless.

What is a Pudding Jar? 

I think a pudding jar can be interpreted in many ways, but for the recipe in this case, I’m essentially talking about layered pudding, crushed cookies, whipped cream, and berries.

In a sense, it’s a super simple dessert. There’s hardly any work involved, but what makes this great are the layers of texture and freshness!

You’ve got the light and airy whipped cream, creamy and tangy lemon pudding, cookie crumbs (I used vanilla wafers) and the pop of fresh, tart berries.

This recipe is not overly sweet, which I love. The pudding is on the sweeter side so I opted for a minimally sweet whipped cream to lighten it up with a hint of vanilla extract.

Mason jar desserts are also a great option for this recipe, offering convenience and are so Instagramable!

Ingredients and Supplies

To make these picnic pudding jars or any mason jar desserts, you’ll need a few basic ingredients and supplies. Here are some essentials to get you started:

• Mason jars (small or medium-sized)

• Graham crackers or other cookies for crust ingredients

• Melted butter to mix with the cookie crumbs if you want to make a binded crust or no-bake crumble
• Lemon pudding, or any flavor pudding you'd like

• Whipped cream, sweetened, unsweetened or blended with cream cheese for extra creaminess

• Fresh fruit, such as berries or cherries

• Chocolate pudding or other dessert mixes

• Pudding mix or instant pudding

• Lemon juice or other extracts

• Shaved chocolate or other garnishes

Having these ingredients and supplies on hand will make it easy to whip up a delicious dessert in a jar whenever the picnic mood strikes!

Benefits of Individual Desserts

Individual desserts, like those served in mason jars, are such a great dessert option!

For one, they’re perfect for portion control, allowing each person to enjoy a single serving without feeling overwhelmed.

Individual desserts also make it easy to customize flavors and ingredients to suit different tastes and dietary needs too! Additionally, mason jar desserts are easy to transport and store, making them ideal for outdoor events or potlucks.

Finally, they can be a fun and creative way to present your desserts, adding a personal touch to your gatherings. With mason jars, you can create visually stunning layers that showcase the delicious ingredients inside.

How to Make Picnic Pudding Mason Jars

The process for making these pudding jars is so super easy. Better yet, this recipe is completely adaptable to suit your tastes or to use what you currently have in your pantry. I’ll share some more swaps/combination ideas below!

Here’s what you need to make these pudding dessert jars:

• Glass jars with lids that can seal tightly. You’re going to be transporting these so you want to ensure the lids can go on tight!
• I chose to use a combination of Mason jars and these large Weck jars. They make a hefty serving for one person, but it’s a good size to share with your picnic partner. You can definitely use smaller jars too.
• Cookies. I used vanilla wafers.
• Homemade whipped cream.
• Pudding. I used my 60 Second Lemon Pudding. You can also use instant boxed pudding for a quicker option.
• Fresh berries. I used raspberries and blackberries, but any berry will do!
• Don’t forget to bring spoons with you on your picnic! I chose these eco-friendly disposable wood spoons which were fantastic.

To make the dessert, all you need to do is layer the pudding, whipped cream, crushed cookies, and berries in the jars.

Once your full sized jars or mini jars are done, seal them up and store in the fridge until you’re ready to go on your picnic! The jars can be made up to 2 days in advance.

Assembly and Layering

Assembling and layering your mason jar desserts is where the magic happens. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Start with a crust layer, such as graham crackers or cookie crumbs, at the bottom of the jar.

• Add the layer of lemon pudding or other filling ingredients on top of the crust.

• Next, add a layer of whipped cream or other topping ingredients.

• Repeat the layers as desired, ending with a layer of whipped cream or other topping.

• Garnish with fresh fruit, shaved chocolate, or other toppings.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and delicious dessert in a jar that will impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Notes on Graham Cracker Crust or Cookie Crust

• Texture Matters: For the best crust, crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin. Larger crumbs may cause the layers to be uneven.

• Butter Ratio: Mix melted butter with the crumbs (about 4 tablespoons per 1 cup of crumbs) to help the crust hold together - this is an easy no bake crust option!

• Optional Sweetness: Add 1–2 tablespoons of sugar (granulated or brown sugar) for extra flavor if desired.

• Pressing the Crust: Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to gently press the crumbs into the bottom of the jar for a compact layer.

• Alternative Cookies: Swap graham crackers for Biscoff cookies, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, or Oreos for a different flavor.

• Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the crust layer up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.

Substitutions/More Flavor Combo Ideas

Summer makes me think of fresh, tangy and tart desserts. I chose to go with a combination of lemon, vanilla and berries for this recipe.

Here are some other flavor ideas that would work great for these jars!

• Bananas / Vanilla pudding / Nutter Butters
• Kiwis / Lemon pudding / Coconut cookies
• Blueberries / Lemon pudding / Vanilla wafers
• Cherries / Vanilla pudding / Shortbread cookies
• Strawberries / Vanilla pudding / Biscoff cookies
• No fruit - Marshmallows / Chocolate Pudding / Graham crackers
• Cherries / No bake cheesecake filling / Graham crackers
• Mini cheesecakes / Cherry pie filling / Whipped cream
• Lemon pudding / Vanilla wafers / Shaved chocolate
• Vanilla pudding / Sour cream frosting / Pound Cake Pieces
• Whipped cream combined with cream cheese / Angel food cake pieces / Fresh Fruit

Happy Picnicking! 

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