We’re so lucky to have amazing neighbors, and every Thanksgiving we love making them a little something to say “thanks for being awesome.” Our go-to? Mini layered desserts in mason jars! It’s a little treat that’s up there with some of our favorite thankful activities for kids (and families) because it’s one of those traditions that’s something small but full of meaning.
These tasty little jars are easy for kids to help with (or even make on their own with supervision) and it involves using all of their senses. It’s a great activity for ADHD kids who crave hands-on projects that keep them moving and engaged. Plus, it’s a gift people actually want to receive!
Every year my daughter, Emily, helps create and assemble the desserts by alternating layers of crumbly crust, flavorful filling, and whipped cream. Her favorite parts of the process are smashing up graham crackers and making sure the whipped cream is still good.
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Then we tie each jar with a bit of ribbon or twine, attach a homemade gift tag, and she proudly delivers them to our neighbors.
Why We Love This Activity
Around here, anything that mixes sensory fun with food is an instant win. My daughter gets to smash graham crackers, stir creamy fillings, breathe in all the yummy smells, and watch her little creations come together in the cutest mini jars. And of course, there’s always a little taste testing along the way… for quality control, obviously.
We also love how these jars make it easy to brighten someone’s day. A tiny dessert surprise goes a long way with neighbors, delivery drivers, friends, or grandparents who might need a little extra love this season.
Plus, these come together fast and work for pretty much any occasion like family dinners, random cozy weekends, parties, sleepovers, you name it. Since everyone can pick their favorite mix-ins, they’re kid-approved, customizable, and downright delicious.
So let’s walk through how simple (and seriously fun) these mini desserts are to put together.
What You’ll Need to Make Mini Desserts in a Jar
You don’t need anything fancy for these, just some simple ingredients and a few mason jars. Half-pint or quarter-pint sizes work best for individual desserts.
This particular recipe made about 9 half-pint size jars and since there’s no measuring involved, feel free to adjust any of the ingredients to fit your needs.
Here’s what you’ll want to grab:
- Mason jars with lids (half-pint or quarter-pint)
- 1 box of (plain honey) graham crackers
- Butter (we like using our own homemade butter because it’s tasty and makes another great gift!)
- Pie filling of your choice: pumpkin, apple, cherry, berry (we used pumpkin and apple for this post)
- Whipped cream or frozen whipped topping
- Cinnamon for sprinkling (optional)
- Festive ribbon or twine
- Homemade or printable gift tags – you don’t have to go full Hallmark with this (unless you want to). A simple “You’re the best!” or “We appreciate you!” note works fine, with a little note about what’s in the jar.
Directions
1. Wash and dry your jars. Start with clean mason jars and matching lids.
2. Smash the graham crackers. Open all packages and dump them in a zip-top bag. Then hand them to your kiddo. This is their time to shine. Let them mash away until the crackers turn into crumbs. They can use whatever you trust them with: their hands, a rolling pin, a meat mallet (flat side), potato masher, or even one of their toys. It might get silly and loud but it’s totally worth it.
3. Make the crust. Pour the crumbs into a bowl and stir in a little melted butter until it’s the texture of damp sand.
4. Start layering.
- Spoon a bit of crust into the bottom of each jar and press it down as best as you can.
- Add a layer of pie filling.
- Top with whipped cream.
- Repeat the layers until you reach the top.
- You can make as many layers as you want but the final layer should be whipped cream.
5. Add a sprinkle. Dust with a pinch of cinnamon if you’re making pumpkin or apple pie jars.
6. Seal and decorate. Screw on the lids, tie each one with ribbon or twine, and attach a gift tag (and maybe a spoon). Then deliver and enjoy those proud neighbor and kiddo smiles. I also put a layer of parchment paper over our jars before tying the twine to make them look a little more decorative (and I think I ran out of the metal lid tops), but you don’t have to do that.
A Few Tips
- These jars are best made fresh and enjoyed immediately or within a day or two (stored in the fridge). If you need to prep ahead, just wait to add the whipped cream on top until right before serving or delivering. Frozen or homemade whipped topping holds up better if you won’t be delivering immediately.
- Use clear plastic cups with lids or plastic wrap if you don’t have mason jars. They still look cute, and cleanup is a breeze!
- Add a spoon to the ribbon for a complete treat-to-go!
Mix & Match Mini Desserts
If you’ve got a picky eater or food allergies, or pumpkin or apple isn’t your thing… or maybe you just need a little more chocolate in your life (same), these are super easy to tweak. You can totally mix and match ingredients to make your own yummy dessert combo.
Step 1: Choose a Crust
- Graham crackers (classic, chocolate, or cinnamon)
- Vanilla wafers (so good for banana or birthday cake)
- Oreos (perfect for chocolate lovers)
- Gingersnaps (amazing for fall flavors!)
Step 2: Pick a Filling
- Fruit: pumpkin, apple, cherry, berry, peach
- Instant pudding (vanilla, chocolate, banana, butterscotch)
- Premade cheesecake (or make your own cream cheese filling)
- Chocolate mousse or whipped ganache (for something richer)
- Layered fresh fruit (strawberries, berries, bananas,
Step 3: Add Some Toppings
- Whipped cream (you can never have too much)
- Crumbled cookies, crushed candy, or chocolate shavings
- Fruit, caramel drizzle, or mini marshmallows
- A sprinkle of something festive: crushed peppermint, nuts, cinnamon sugar, or colorful sprinkles!
Here are a few of our favorite flavor combinations:
Strawberry Dream Jars
Use the graham cracker crust, then layer sliced fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top for extra crunch.
S’mores Jars
Start with graham cracker crust, add a layer of marshmallow fluff mixed with whipped cream, then a layer of chocolate chips or chocolate pudding. Repeat, and top with extra fluff, mini marshmallows and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.
Cookies & Cream Jars
Swap the graham crackers for crushed Oreos, then alternate layers of chocolate or vanilla pudding, whipped cream and Oreo crumbs. Top with an extra cookie because, why not?
Banana Cream Pie Jars
Make a crust using crushed vanilla wafers and butter. Add layers of banana pudding, fresh banana slices, and whipped cream. Sprinkle with extra wafer crumbs for a classic touch.
Birthday Cake Jars
Use a vanilla wafer crust, then layer vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and colorful sprinkles. It ends up looking like a funfetti party in a jar!
Chocolate Cream Pie Jar
Use the graham cracker crust (classic honey or chocolate flavor), then layer chocolate pudding and whipped cream for a rich, no-bake dessert that feels fancy but takes minutes.
Love From Our (Chaotic) Kitchen To Yours
As you’re whipping, layering, sampling, and tying on ribbons, remember: a small homemade gift can mean the world to someone. Whether it’s your neighbors, teachers, friends, or the delivery drivers who practically live on your porch this time of year, a simple jar of dessert is a pretty sweet way to say “thank you.”
If your kids loved assembling and decorating these jars, they’ll have a blast making homemade butter in a mason jar. It’s one of our favorite sensory activities for ADHD kids, and it makes an easy, thoughtful gift too.