Mason Jar Strawberry Cheesecake (no baking)

Is there anything cuter than a dessert in a mason jar?

We love strawberry cheesecake!  Last week I wanted the taste of it without the time involved or the baking of it.

So what did I do?  I googled it of course ;-)  Most what I found called for butter in the graham cracker crust and lots more sugar added to the cream cheese.  So, my head got busy thinking of ways to create this a little easier, yet keeping it delicious.  Here's what I came up with...

I created this one night for supper.

It was such a hit, I made it again the next day also!  

This is so easy to put together, and...no baking required.

I didn't even dirty up the food processor.  To crush the graham crackers, I put them in a baggie, sealed it, and used a rolling pin to get the crumbled consistency.

I used a potato masher on the strawberries.  Oh my, the sweet juice and the berry chunk in this dessert is divine!

It stores in the fridge and transports easy too ...just screw the lid on.

I'm thinking ahead to summer picnics and cook-outs...this will definitely be a hit.

Maybe I'll try some other berries too.

Mason Jar Strawberry Cheesecake (no baking)
makes 4 half pints (jelly jars)

Ingredients:
6 graham crackers
1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound strawberries
1/4 cup sugar

Directions;
Put the graham crackers in a baggie.  Use a rolling pin to smash them into crumbs.
Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Using a potato masher, smash the strawberries.  Stir in some sugar.
Into the mason jar, layer the graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese mixture, strawberries.
Repeat one more time.

Notes:
We like the strawberries chunky and juicy.  The juice seeps into the other layers, making it more decadent.  If you don't want juicy strawberries, just dice up the berries instead of using a potato masher.
Also, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries, adjust the sugar amount up or down to your liking.


Sharing with Metamorphosis Monday, The Art of Home Making Mondays