When it comes to Cream Pies, one, in particular, stands out for me. That would be a Banana Cream Pie. My Mom loved bananas, so it made perfect sense that she would make Banana Cream Pie at any opportunity.
While perfecting my homemade vanilla pudding recipe, I thought it would be fun to recreate that pie but in a jar. But then my creative gene took over and I wound up making three different Cream Pies in a Jar – Banana, Coconut, and Cookies & Cream. They are so simple and fun to make.
Cream Pies In A Jar Three Ways
Let’s start with my favorite. My Mom would have loved these. I so wish I could share these with her.
#1 – Banana Cream Pie In A Jar
Ingredients: Makes approximately 6 servings
- 1 recipe of Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Using banana extract in place of vanilla)
- ¼ cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
- 1 to 2 bananas sliced
- Vanilla wafers
- 6 to 7 8 oz. wide-mouth jars
- Garnish: vanilla wafers halved & slices of banana
Directions:
Break up a few of the vanilla wafers and place in the bottom of the 8 oz. wide-mouth jars. Place slices of banana and vanilla wafers around the walls of the jars, alternating as you go. In a medium bowl, fold the whipped cream or Cool Whip into the banana pudding.
Carefully spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into the jars up to the top of the vanilla wafers or about 1 inch from the top of the jars. Push one or two slices of banana into the center of the pudding. Pipe on the whipped cream or Cool Whip. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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#2 – Coconut Cream Pie In A Jar
Ingredients: Makes approximately 6 servings
- 1 recipe of Homemade Vanilla Pudding (Using coconut extract in place of vanilla)
- ¼ cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup crushed shortbread cookies
- 6 to 7 8 oz. wide-mouth jars
- Garnish: shredded coconut
Directions:
Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crushed shortbread cookies in the bottom of the 8 oz. wide-mouth jars, enough to cover the bottom. In a medium bowl, fold the whipped cream or Cool Whip and shredded coconut into the coconut pudding.
Carefully spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into the jars on top of the crushed shortbread cookies filling the jars to about 1 inch from the top. Pipe on the whipped cream or Cool Whip and garnish with shredded coconut. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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#3 – Cookies & Cream Pie In A Jar
Ingredients: Makes approximately 6 servings
- 1 recipe of Homemade Coconut Pudding
- ¼ cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
- 1 + cup crushed chocolate wafers
- 6 to 7 8 oz. wide-mouth jars
- Garnish: crushed chocolate wafers
Directions:
Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the crushed chocolate wafers in the bottom of the 8 oz. wide-mouth jars, enough to cover the bottom. In a medium bowl, fold the whipped cream or Cool Whip into the pudding until blended. Add the remaining crushed chocolate wafers (reserving a little for garnish) to distribute throughout the filling.
Carefully spoon or pipe the pudding mixture into the jars, filling the jars to about 1 inch from the top. Pipe on whipped cream or Cool Whip and lightly garnish with crushed chocolate wafers. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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Beverage Pairing Suggestions: Coffee and tea are always a good choice with simple desserts like these. How about a nice dessert wine such as IPSUS Pantelleria Passito to add some fun.
Cream Pies Notes: You can add up to ½ cup of whipped cream or Cool Whip for a more mousse like consistency. If you prefer not folding in any whipped cream or Cool Whip, no worries. Without the whipped cream the pies have more body and won’t be as light, however, they taste just as good. I’ve made these pies leaving off the toppings, placing a lid on top to store in the refrigerator. That way they’re easier to transport or give away.
These three recipes are just a few of my “Cream Pies In A Jar” ideas. There were so many versions that I lost count. All I can say is put on that apron, get cooking, experiment and have some fun.
Time to eat…
If you enjoyed my “Cream Pies In A Jar Three Ways,” check out my Chocolate Mousse Pies In A Jar, Lemon Meringue Pies In A Jar, Pumpkin Pies In A Jar and of course my Homemade Vanilla Pudding. Enjoy.
P.S. Take a moment to check out some of the tools I used for this “Cream Pies In A Jar Three Ways” below. 🙂