Have I mentioned that I love jars? They are so cute and inexpensive and have so many uses beyond jams and jellies and canned foods.
One of my favorite ways to use jars is to use them as serving containers when feeding or entertaining a large group.
Not only are jars cute and functional, they are also inexpensive to buy in bulk. You can easily find a dozen jars either at your local store or pick them up used at garage sales and thrift stores.
The other thing I love about serving food in jars is portion control. This works great when it comes to dessert. Now, I am not talking about starving your guests, or offering a very minimal amount, but it does help control serving sizes when feeding a large group and usually allows you to stretch your dessert a little further.
And my favorite dessert to serve in jars is homemade pudding of course. Now really you could easily use regular boxed pudding here, but I am all about the real stuff when it comes to pudding.
Our favorite kinds of homemade pudding are double chocolate, vanilla, lemon, coconut, and butterscotch. (And if you have not tried making your own pudding you might find my video on how to make homemade pudding helpful.)
If you are serving a large group it is easy to make a few different homemade puddings to place in small jars. Top them with whipped topping and let everyone choose the flavor they want.
I did this recently when I made lunch for my husband’s staff and everyone loved it.
I like to place lids on the jars and mark them using a dry erase marker. This works well for making them ahead and for transporting to a picnic or other event.
What is your favorite way to use jars?
LOL……..have to laugh seeing your post, I just bought a box of these same jars tonight! A 4-pack, I thought they would be nice to freeze single servings of GF foods for me.
Thanks for the ideas.
Moe
I like to put jello in them and if you layer the jello you can turn out some really pretty desserts. Add whipped topping and it looks great. Another is breakfast parfaits with yogurt, granola and fruit. Yummy!! Even make individual layered lettuce salads when I don’t want a larger salad.
Those are all great ideas. Thanks for sharing them!
Oh, I LOVE this idea! We don’t have pudding all that often but may start soon! I especially love that the little jars should satisfy my kids’ desire to have their own indiviual servings like the pre-bought kind (and help with portion control too!) Thanks for the tip!
Yes, this would work great for kids and individual servings.
That is such a cute idea! I love Mason jars *and* I love homemade pudding so I will definitely have to do this sometime for a party. I never seem to have enough of those small (1/2 cup) jars – I use them for so many things, including storing all my spices.
I love the spice idea. I have seen that several times now and I may just have to start using them for that.
Love this idea! I am going to get me some jars!!
What size are the jars in the picture? 4 pints? Love this idea!
They are small jam jars, maybe 1/2 pint or a little smaller.
Ha! Ha! I meant to say 1/2 pint. It was late. 🙂 Thanks for the info!
I love this cute idea!!! I am trying to make the puddings in the same way… But where can I buy these lovely jars? Which stores? I don’t like online shops… Can u tell me? thx!! 🙂
Those are jam jars and I am pretty sure I got them at Wal-mart in the canning section. Any store that sells canning jars and supplies should sell similar ones, or at least a similar size.
thx a lot!!! 😀
Love this …
I just bought these little jars, they are 4oz. It’s the perfect size for a dessert.
I’m trying to make rice pudding and put it on them. Wish me luck lol
I hope you enjoy them! I love the jars.