Cherry Cheesecake Jars – Best Cheesecake in a Jar Recipe for Valentine’s Day and More!

Last Updated on January 16, 2023 by Alaina Bullock

With a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy, no-bake cheesecake filling, and tart cherry pie filling in the shape of a heart make these Cherry Cheesecake Jars a delicious dessert!

Looking for a unique homemade Valentine’s day treat? I have one that you are going to love. Cherry Cheesecake in a jar topped with a cute little cherry-topping heart!

Sweet treats always make for a great gift idea — and even more so when they are homemade. With this made-from-scratch recipe for no-bake cherry cheesecake jars, you can prepare a delicious homemade dessert for your friends and family without ever touching the oven.

CHERRY CHEESECAKE JARS VALENTINE’S DAY DESSERT IDEA

While this quick dessert-in-a-jar recipe is a great dessert for any occasion, it’s especially perfect for Valentine’s Day. That’s because these Cherry Cheesecake Jars feature an adorable cherry-filling heart on top surrounded by fluffy whipped topping.

And while they might look complicated, you’re gonna love how easy it is to make these desserts-in-a-jar!

Learn how to make cheesecake in a jar with this simple Cherry Cheesecake in a Jar recipe below.

Easy dessert-in-a-jar recipes are SO much fun! Try these other recipes: Easy Raspberry Shortcake in a Jar and No-Bake Lemon Meringue Pie.

Too busy to make this tasty treat right away? Pin it for later! Pin this easy dessert recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be waiting there when you’re ready.

HOW TO MAKE CHERRY CHEESECAKE IN A JAR FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

This no-bake easy cherry cheesecake jars recipe is a quick and easy cheesecake-in-a-jar recipe that you can make with just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes of prep. All you need is a few ingredients and a couple of simple baking supplies to prepare this adorable Valentine’s Day dessert.

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services I think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. By the way, I only recommend products that I use and love.

KITCHEN TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• half-pint mini mason jars
• toothpick
• small heart cookie cutter
• piping bag
• rubber spatula

CHERRY CHEESECAKE JARS RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you’ll need to make this no-bake cherry cheesecake-in-a-jar recipe:

• cream cheese
• powdered sugar
• vanilla extract
• whipped topping
• graham cracker crumbs – you can use premade crumbs for easier prep work, or add some graham crackers to a bag and gently crush them using the bottom of a jar or a rolling pin.
• cherry pie filling

CHERRY CHEESECAKE IN A JAR INSTRUCTIONS

Making these fun individual desserts couldn’t be easier or quicker. In less than 30 minutes you can have them ready to chill. The longest part of the entire recipe is waiting for the cherry cheesecake jars to chill!

STEP ONE: COMBINE CREAM CHEESE, VANILLA, AND SUGAR

• Using either a spoon, an electric mixer, or a stand mixer, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until the mixture has a smooth and creamy texture.

STEP TWO: ADD WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING

• Next, use the spatula to fold in the whipped topping and mix well, again until the cheesecake mixture is creamy and smooth.

Pro Tip – to avoid the whipped topping from separating, it is best to fold it in instead of using a mixer.

• Once mixed together, spoon the cream cheese mixture into the piping bag.

STEP THREE: ASSEMBLE THE CHEESECAKE JARS

• Next place a small amount of graham cracker crumbs in the bottom of each half-pint jar. I used a cup of graham cracker crumbs which meant each jar got ¼ cup apiece.

• Now add the cheesecake layer by piping the filling into each jar, but DO NOT fill the jars all the way to the top. Instead, be sure to leave about one inch of space at the top of each jar for the cute cherry heart and the lid.

STEP FOUR: ADD THE CHERRY HEART

• To create the cherry pie-filling heart, lightly place the heart-shaped cookie cutter in the center of the jar. Do not push it down into the cheescake mixture, just set it gently on top of it.

• Then pipe some more of the cream cheese mixture around the outside of the cookie cutter almost to the top of the jar – leaving just a tad bit of room for the lid so it doesn’t smush anything.

• Next, fill the inside of the cookie cutter with the cherry pie filling taking care not to let the filling go over the top of the cookie cutter.

• Once the heart is full, slowly and carefully lift the cookie cutter up to remove it. It’s okay if you need to wiggle it slightly to help loosen it from the cheesecake filling.

• If the edges of the heart are a bit rough, use the toothpick to carefully smooth them out.
• Repeat with the remaining jars until all of the no-bake cheesecake jars are finished.

STEP FIVE: CHILL

Lastly, place the lids on the jars and put the Cherry Cheesecake Jars in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour before serving.

HOW LONG CAN CHEESECAKE JARS LAST?

If you store them correctly, cherry cheesecake jars can last up to five days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container then place them in the fridge. Don’t leave them out at room temperature.

HOW LONG DOES CHERRY CHEESECAKE IN A JAR LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

If covered and refrigerated, cherry cheesecake in a jar can last up to five days in the fridge.

CAN YOU FREEZE CHERRY CHEESECAKE IN A JAR?

Yes, you can freeze these no-bake cheesecakes in a jar for up to 3 months. Just make sure you cover them tightly.

When you are ready to serve them, thaw the cherry cheesecakes in the refrigerator overnight, then serve and enjoy.

SUBSTITUTIONS, ADDITIONS, AND VARIATIONS

Easy to make, mouth-wateringly delicious, self-contained, and already at the ideal serving size, cheesecakes in a jar come pretty close to being a perfect dessert.

And while these cherry cheesecakes are delicious as-is, there are lots of ways you can change these individual desserts up for other tastes, holidays, occasions, or just because.

Substitutions

Instead of graham crackers, try using other types of cookies to make amazing treats like these Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake in a Jar. Gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, butter cookies, and even Oreos, are all tasty options.

Additions

Try adding a little bit of flavoring to the cheesecake mix to make different flavors. Add some fruit extract such as orange, strawberry, or raspberry. Or add a few drops of fresh lemon juice or lime juice.

You could also add dollop of whipped cream on top and then garnish with fresh fruit or even a mint leaf or rosemary.

Variations

Here are a few ways you can change up these mason jar cheesecakes.

• If making a heart on top of each jar is too much work, or you want to use this Cherry Cheesecake Jars recipe for a different occassion, no worries! Omit the use of the cookie cutter and spoon the cherry pie filling on top of the cheesecake layer until the jar is full.
• Use homemade pie filling with fresh fruit instead of canned cherry filling.
• Swap out the cherries for different fruit such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or even peach. YUM!

MORE DESSERTS IN A JAR

Looking for even more desserts in a jar? Here are some of my favorites:

• Peppermint Cocoa Cupcakes in a Jar
• Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes in a Jar
• Mint Chocolate Triffles

MORE DESSERTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Here are some more sweet desserts for Valentine’s Day that I know you will love!

• Homemade Rainbow Hearts Candy
• Valentine’s Day Fudge Recipe No-Bake
• Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Whoopie Pies (with free printable card)

VALENTINE’S DAY CHERRY CHEESECAKES JAR RECIPE