Delicious & Easy No-Bake Blueberry Cream Pie Jars with Probiotic Kefir
Prepare to fall in love with these delightful Blueberry Cream Pie Jars! This recipe offers a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a rich, vibrant blueberry pie filling made with either fresh or frozen berries, a customizable crunchy crust, and an incredibly creamy vanilla pudding. What truly sets this dessert apart is the inclusion of gut-healthy Lifeway Organic Kefir in the pudding, adding a subtle tang and beneficial probiotics. Best of all, these charming individual desserts are surprisingly easy to make and perfect for serving at any gathering, or simply enjoying as a guilt-free treat!
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Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert to impress guests or a simple, satisfying treat for yourself, these pie jars offer convenience without compromising on taste. Their no-bake nature makes them ideal for warmer months, and the individual portions are not only appealing but also perfect for portion control and easy transport. Repurpose old jam or mason jars to make these eco-friendly and Instagram-worthy.
The Magic of Kefir: A Healthier Twist on Classic Pudding
The star ingredient in our velvety vanilla pudding is Lifeway Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir. If you’re not familiar with kefir, it’s a fermented milk drink, similar to yogurt, packed with beneficial probiotics. These live and active cultures are fantastic for gut health, aiding digestion and boosting immunity. Unlike many traditional puddings, incorporating kefir adds a delicate tang that perfectly complements the sweetness of the blueberries and vanilla, creating a more complex and refreshing flavor profile.
Beyond its probiotic power, Lifeway Organic Whole Milk Kefir is up to 99% lactose-free, making this dessert a friendlier option for those with lactose sensitivities (provided you choose a gluten-free crust). It’s an excellent way to enjoy a decadent dessert while also nourishing your body with good bacteria. This simple swap elevates a classic dessert, turning it into a treat you can feel good about indulging in.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Customizable Crust Options
One of the most exciting aspects of these Blueberry Cream Pie Jars is the freedom to personalize your crust. While a traditional graham cracker crust is always a hit, don’t limit your creativity! The recipe calls for 3-4 cups of your favorite pie crust, chopped, opening up a world of possibilities:
- Graham Crackers: The classic choice for a reason. Simply crush them finely and mix with a touch of melted butter for a buttery, sweet base that pairs perfectly with blueberry.
- Pretzels: For a delightful sweet and salty contrast, crushed pretzels offer an unexpected crunch that balances the richness of the pudding and filling. A fantastic option for those who enjoy a more adventurous flavor profile.
- Granola: A healthier and heartier option, granola adds texture, subtle sweetness, and often a hint of nuttiness. Choose your favorite flavor – honey almond, cinnamon pecan, or even a fruit-and-nut blend.
- Baked Pie Crust Scraps: If you’ve recently made a pie, don’t let those delicious scraps go to waste! Bake them until crisp, then crumble them for a truly homemade touch.
- Cookies: Think beyond graham crackers! Crushed vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or even gingersnaps could create unique and delicious flavor combinations.
- Gluten-Free Alternatives: For those with dietary restrictions, many gluten-free graham cracker or cookie alternatives are available that work wonderfully as a crust. Just ensure the rest of your ingredients are also gluten-free.
Experiment with different crusts to find your favorite, or even mix and match for an extra layer of complexity. The key is to have a textural component that provides a delightful crunch against the smooth pudding and fruit filling.
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What You Need to Make This Recipe
Creating these delightful pie jars requires a few simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools. Most items you might already have on hand, making this a convenient recipe to whip up whenever a dessert craving strikes.
Ingredients:
- Lifeway Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir: The star of our creamy, probiotic-rich pudding. Its slight tang beautifully balances the sweetness.
- Lemon juice: Essential for brightening the blueberry filling and providing a touch of acidity.
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen): The heart of our delicious pie filling. Both work perfectly, making this a year-round treat.
- Cornstarch: Our go-to thickener for both the pudding and the blueberry filling, ensuring a smooth, stable texture.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramelized sweetness to the blueberry filling.
- Granulated sugar: Provides the classic sweetness for the vanilla pudding.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the vanilla pudding with its aromatic and comforting flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a silky mouthfeel to the finished pudding.
- Egg yolks: Crucial for the rich texture and stability of the vanilla pudding, acting as an emulsifier and thickener.
- Your choice of crust: Whether it’s graham crackers, pretzels, granola, or a traditional pie crust, this layer provides a delightful crunch.
Equipment:
- Clean empty jars: Ideally 6-8 ounce jars for individual servings. Repurpose old mason jars or jam jars for an eco-friendly touch.
- Medium-sized saucepan: For preparing both the creamy vanilla pudding and the luscious blueberry filling on the stovetop.
- Whisk: Essential for smoothly combining ingredients and preventing lumps, especially when working with cornstarch and egg yolks.
- Spatula: Perfect for scraping down the sides of the saucepan and ensuring everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Mixing bowls: You’ll need a couple of these for preparing the separate pudding and filling components.
- Measuring spoons & cups: Accurate measurements are key for consistent results in baking and no-bake desserts.
Essential Recipe Notes for Perfect Pie Jars
These personal dessert jars are a delightful assembly of layers: a crunchy pie crust, a smooth vanilla pudding, and a sweet-tart blueberry pie filling. The beauty of this recipe lies in its no-bake simplicity, with both the pudding and blueberry filling coming together quickly on the stovetop. While straightforward, paying attention to a few critical steps will ensure a flawless, creamy, and clump-free dessert:
- Gentle Heat for Kefir: When combining the kefir and sugar, always use low heat and stir continuously. Kefir contains live active cultures which can curdle if heated too rapidly or to too high a temperature. While curdled kefir is perfectly safe to eat, it will result in a less smooth pudding texture. More importantly, excessive heat can kill the beneficial probiotics that make Lifeway Kefir so gut-healthy, defeating one of the key benefits of using it in this recipe. Aim for just warm, not boiling.
- Dissolve Cornstarch Completely: Before adding cornstarch to any warm mixture (whether it’s with egg yolks for the pudding or lemon juice for the pie filling), ensure it is dissolved as thoroughly as possible. Cornstarch activates and thickens with heat, but if it enters a hot liquid in clumps, those lumps will “cook” and become nearly impossible to smooth out afterward. A little bit of liquid (like egg yolks or lemon juice) helps create a slurry, preventing this issue and ensuring a silky, even consistency.
- Temper Your Egg Yolks: When combining the warm kefir mixture with the egg yolks, it’s crucial to “temper” the yolks. This means gradually incorporating a small amount of the hot liquid into the yolks first, while whisking constantly. Pour slowly and stir vigorously to gently raise the temperature of the yolks. If you add the cold egg yolks directly to the hot kefir, the sudden temperature change will cause them to scramble and harden, ruining the pudding’s smooth texture. Gradually bringing their temperature up prevents this unfortunate outcome.
- Preventing Pudding Film: As your vanilla pudding cools, it’s essential to cover it properly. Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding, ensuring it touches the entire top layer. This prevents a thick, rubbery “skin” or film from forming on top. If a film does form, it will break into unappealing thick clumps when you later mix the pudding, compromising its smooth, luxurious texture. Direct contact with the plastic wrap keeps the surface moist and smooth.
Pro Tips & Storage Solutions
Making these Blueberry Cream Pie Jars is a breeze, and a few expert tips can make the process even smoother, ensuring the best taste and texture. Proper storage also guarantees you can enjoy these treats at their peak freshness.
This recipe is designed to yield enough pudding and pie filling to comfortably fill approximately eight 6-8 ounce jars. These are ideal for individual portions, making them perfect for picnics, potlucks, or personal indulgences. Of course, you can certainly use larger jars if you prefer, but keep in mind that this will naturally result in fewer overall dessert jars. For presentation, clear glass jars allow the beautiful layers to shine through!
Once assembled, these delicious jars are best enjoyed within 2 days when stored in the refrigerator. However, for the ultimate textural experience, particularly to preserve the crunch of your chosen crust, I highly recommend assembling them just before serving. The crust layers will inevitably begin to soften and get soggy after a day or so in contact with the moist fillings. For longer storage, both the vanilla pudding and the blueberry pie filling can be prepared ahead of time and stored individually in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. This makes meal prep (or dessert prep!) a breeze.
Don’t let those egg whites go to waste! They are a fantastic ingredient for many other recipes. My personal favorite way to utilize leftover egg whites is by making macarons! They’re a delicate and delicious challenge. I have several recipes that could inspire you, including s’mores, rainbow, dirty chai, and chocolate cranberry macarons. Alternatively, egg whites are great for meringues, pavlovas, or an egg white omelet for a high-protein breakfast!
Lifeway Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir is a widely available product. You can typically find it in the dairy section of most major grocery stores. If you’re having trouble locating it, or simply want to find the nearest retailer, you can easily use Lifeway’s convenient online store locator tool to find a store near you!
Yes, this recipe can absolutely be made gluten-free! The vanilla pudding and blueberry filling are naturally gluten-free. The only component you need to ensure is gluten-free is your chosen crust layer. Opt for gluten-free graham crackers, pretzels, or a homemade gluten-free pie crust to make this a delicious and safe dessert for those avoiding gluten.
Yes, it is! Lifeway’s Organic Whole Milk Kefir is renowned for being up to 99% lactose-free. This is due to the fermentation process, where the live cultures consume most of the lactose. This makes our blueberry cream pie jars a fantastic dessert option for many individuals who are lactose intolerant. You can read more about the benefits and lactose content of Lifeway Kefir here.
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📖 Recipe
Blueberry Cream Pie Jars
Kayla Burton
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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(8) 6-8 ounce jars (or fewer larger jars)
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Mixing bowls
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Measuring spoons & cups
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Whisk
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Spatula
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Medium-sized saucepan
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 3-4 cups (3-4 cups) your favorite pie crust (graham crackers, pretzels, granola, etc.) chopped
Vanilla Pudding
- 4 large (4 large) egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons (40 g) cornstarch
- 2½ cups (591.47 ml) Lifeway Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (½ stick) (56 g) unsalted butter
Blueberry Pie Filling
- 3 tablespoons (24 g) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
- 4 cups (4 cups) blueberries fresh or frozen
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar packed
Instructions
Vanilla Pudding
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Whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch until they’re a smooth mixture. Set aside.
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Stir the kefir and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat until it’s almost hot. Gradually pour about ¼ cup of the warm mixture into the egg/cornstarch mixture while stirring constantly. Then, transfer the egg/cornstarch mixture into the pan of warm kefir while stirring constantly. Heat on low-medium while stirring until it’s thick and smooth.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter until well combined. Cover the top of the pudding with plastic wrap (so that it’s touching the pudding) and let it cool.
Blueberry Pie Filling
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Mix the lemon juice and cornstarch together. Add a bit of water if needed to help dissolve the cornstarch better.
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Heat the blueberries and light brown sugar in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat until the berries are soft and bursting. Mix in the lemon juice/cornstarch and continue to heat until it’s thick. Let it cool.
Assembling the Jars
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When the pudding and pie filling have cooled to room temperature and the jars are ready to be served, assemble the jars. (See note below to make ahead & assemble later).
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Alternately layer pie crust crumbs, pudding, and pie filling until the jars are full. Enjoy!
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Notes
To make ahead, prepare the pudding and pie filling and refrigerate them separately for up to 1 week. Assemble the jars the day you’ll be serving them.
The provided nutrition information is an estimate, the calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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