St. Patrick’s Day No-Bake Lime Cheesecake in a Jar: Your Ultimate Green Dessert Guide

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect occasion to infuse your celebrations with vibrant green, and what better way than with an irresistible dessert? Forget the hassle of baking; this adorable, layered no-bake lime cheesecake in a jar is the ultimate festive treat. Get ready to toast to the Emerald Isle with a dessert that’s as delicious as it is visually stunning!

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a no-bake cheesecake, especially when it saves you time and effort without compromising on flavor. Every March, as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, I eagerly bring out this beautiful recipe for a no-bake lime cheesecake. It’s not just a dessert; it’s a celebration in itself – a super cute, perfectly layered treat offering a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and citrusy flavors.

Stop searching for complex ways to honor the Emerald Isle! This delightful green dessert brings good luck and great taste to any St. Patrick’s Day gathering. Its vibrant hue and refreshing lime flavor make it an instant hit, and the individual jar portions are perfect for easy serving and a touch of elegance.

Beyond its festive appeal, this no-bake cheesecake is incredibly practical. No need to worry about oven space, water baths, or unsightly cracks often associated with traditional baked cheesecakes. This recipe simplifies the process, making it accessible even for novice bakers while delivering a consistently smooth and creamy result. Plus, serving individual cheesecakes in jars means less mess and more fun for your guests!

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🥘 Essential Ingredients for Your Green Cheesecake

Crafting these delectable no-bake lime cheesecakes requires a few simple ingredients that come together to create a symphony of textures and flavors. Each component plays a crucial role, from the crunchy base to the smooth, tangy filling and the vibrant lime topping.

• Graham Crackers: These form the foundation of our cheesecake, creating a perfectly crumbly and subtly sweet crust. Plain graham crackers work best, or you can opt for similar digestive biscuits.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted unsalted butter is essential for binding the graham cracker crumbs together, forming a firm and flavorful base that holds its shape beautifully.
• Cream Cheese: The heart of any cheesecake! Use full-fat, plain cream cheese for the richest, creamiest texture. Remember to take it out of the fridge in advance to allow it to soften to room temperature, which is crucial for a smooth, lump-free filling. Low-fat cream cheese can also be used if preferred, though it might alter the texture slightly.
• Mascarpone: This Italian cream cheese elevates the filling with its luxurious richness and a delicate, tangy sweetness, contributing to the cheesecake’s indulgent profile.
• Icing Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar, icing sugar not only sweetens the luscious cheesecake filling but also helps stabilize its texture, ensuring it’s silky smooth.
• Vanilla Extract: A common yet vital flavoring that adds a layer of warm, silky sweetness, balancing the tanginess of the cheeses. For an extra special touch, you could use pure vanilla bean paste or experiment with other flavor extracts.
• Lime Jell-O and Boiling Water: The key to the vibrant green color and the delightful tart, yet sweet, top layer. The gelatin not only adds flavor but also helps set the final layer perfectly. Be sure to have a kettle or pot ready for boiling water before you begin the recipe.
• Green edible glitter (optional) – For an extra festive touch and a gorgeous, sparkling green effect that truly captures the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day!

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

🍀 Crafting Your St. Patrick’s Day Cheesecake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these festive cheesecakes is a simple, enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to assemble your stunning layered desserts, perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Step One: Begin by preparing the crust. Add your graham crackers (or preferred biscuits) to a food processor and process until they are finely broken down into uniform crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Step Two: Melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, pour it evenly over the graham cracker crumbs. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix everything thoroughly until the crumbs are uniformly moistened and coated with butter.

Step Three: Evenly divide the crumb mixture among your chosen preserving jars – approximately three teaspoons per jar works well. Use the back of a spoon or a small tamper to press down firmly on the crumbs, creating a compact and stable base. Once the bases are formed, chill the jars in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. This helps the crust set and prevents it from crumbling when you add the next layers.

Step Four: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mascarpone, icing sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the mixture on medium-high speed for two to three minutes until it becomes wonderfully creamy, smooth, and fully combined. This step is crucial for achieving that signature velvety cheesecake texture.

Step Five: Carefully transfer the creamy cheesecake filling into a pastry bag. Using a pastry bag allows for precise and neat piping into the jars, creating beautiful, even layers. Remove the chilled jars with their set graham cracker bases from the refrigerator.

Step Six: Pipe or spoon the cheesecake batter evenly into each jar, layering it over the graham cracker crust. For a clean look, spread the cream gently with a small spoon, ensuring it reaches right up to the edges of the glass. This creates a neat barrier for the Jell-O layer. Once all jars are filled, return them to the fridge to chill while you prepare the final layer.

Step Seven: In a separate bowl, whisk together the lime Jell-O powder and boiling water until all the gelatin crystals have completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth. It’s important that no crystals remain to ensure a clear, even Jell-O layer. Allow this mixture to rest at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. This cooling period is vital to prevent the warm Jell-O from melting the cream cheese layer when poured.

Step Eight: Take the cheesecake jars out of the fridge. Carefully and evenly divide the cooled lime Jell-O mixture among the jars, pouring it over the cream cheese layer. The previously chilled cream cheese layer will help keep the Jell-O from seeping into the layers below, ensuring distinct, beautiful strata.

Step Nine: Return the filled jars to the fridge and let them chill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, or preferably longer. This extended chilling time is crucial for all the layers to set completely, ensuring a firm, delicious cheesecake that’s easy to enjoy.

Step Ten: Just before serving, take your perfectly set St. Patrick’s Day cheesecakes out of the fridge. Garnish each one generously with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. This adds another layer of creaminess and a beautiful finish.

Step Eleven: For an extra dash of magic and to truly embrace the festive spirit, lightly dust the whipped cream with green edible glitter. This sparkling touch will make your cheesecakes shine and delight all your guests!

🍰 Delightful Variations for Your No-Bake Cheesecake

This versatile no-bake lime cheesecake recipe offers plenty of room for customization. Here are a couple of exciting variations to make your dessert even more special:

• Grown-Up Green Cheesecake: Transform this sensationally simple dessert into an adults-only treat by infusing the Jell-O layer with a spirited kick! To make this tasty take, simply swap out up to one-half of the boiling water in the recipe for your favorite vodka. This adds a subtle, boozy warmth that complements the tangy lime beautifully, perfect for a sophisticated St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
• Double the Dairy Delight: For those who love an extra touch of creamy indulgence, consider adding more dairy to your garnish. Top your finished cheesecake jar with a generously flavored whipped cream! Try my Vodka-Flavored Whipped Cream for a continuation of the adult theme, or opt for my bright and delicious Orange-Flavored Whipped Cream for a family-friendly finish that adds a zesty, citrusy complement to this Irish-inspired dessert.
• Zesty Lime Boost: For an even more pronounced lime flavor, grate some fresh lime zest into your cream cheese filling. This adds an aromatic, intense citrus kick that truly makes the lime stand out.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Easy Preparation

Having the right tools can make all the difference in preparing this charming dessert effortlessly. Here’s a list of equipment you’ll need:

• Preserving Jars: The star of this all-in-one jarred dessert! I particularly love using cute jam jars or small Mason jars as the vessel for these individual cheesecakes. They make serving a breeze and look incredibly appealing.
• Mixer with Whisk Attachment: An electric mixer (stand or hand-held) with a whisk attachment is indispensable for beating together the thick cream cheese and mascarpone batter until it’s perfectly smooth and creamy.
• Food Processor: This kitchen gadget is ideal for quickly and efficiently breaking down the graham crackers into fine crumbs for the crust. If you don’t have one, a sturdy bag and a rolling pin will do the trick!
• Saucepan: For melting butter and boiling water for the Jell-O.
• Mixing Tools and Bowls: A set of various-sized mixing bowls and sturdy mixing spoons or spatulas will be useful throughout the process.
• Piping bag with a Russian ball tip (optional but recommended for neatness): While you can spoon the cheesecake filling, a piping bag creates neat, even layers and makes the process much cleaner.

🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions About St. Patrick’s Day Cheesecake Jars

More Irresistible Cheesecake Recipes for You to Try

If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of this no-bake cheesecake, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delightful recipes from my collection:

• No-Bake Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake
• No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
• No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake {Halloween}
• No-Bake Eggnog Cheesecake with Ginger Spiced Crust
• Fig Cheesecake in a Jar {no-bake}
• 5-Ingredient Mini Oreo Cheesecakes
• No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
• No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake with Blueberry Topping
• No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake
• No-Bake Valentine’s Raspberry Cheesecake

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for National Cheesecake Day on July 30th!

If you make this irresistible St. Patrick’s Day no-bake lime cheesecake, I would absolutely love to hear from you! Let me know how you liked it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is truly awesome and helps others discover delicious recipes! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly homemade recipe inspirations, or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I don’t miss it!

📖 Recipe

St. Patrick’s Day No-Bake Lime Cheesecake in a Jar

Nora

These no-bake jar cheesecakes are quick and easy to make, and have a gorgeous look and amazing taste. They are made with a graham cracker base, layered with cream cheese and lime Jell-O, and topped with a delicious whipped cream topping dusted with green edible glitter.

5 from 29 votes

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Prep Time

40 minutes
mins

Chill

2 hours
hrs
30 minutes
mins

Total Time

3 hours
hrs
10 minutes
mins

Course
Dessert

Cuisine
American

Servings

6
Servings

Calories

597
kcal

Equipment

• Kitchen knife
• Universal Chopper
• Mixing bowls
• Small pan
• Food processor
  or electric mixer
• Tablespoon or wooden whisk
• Piping bag
  with Russian tip
• Preserving glasses for serving
• Whisk

Ingredients

Base

• 3
  oz
  
  Graham cracker
  
  – or Petit beurre biscuits
• 1.76
  oz
  Unsalted butter

Cream Cheese Layer

• 7
  oz
  Cream cheese
• 5
  oz
  Mascarpone
• ¾
  cup
  Icing sugar
• 1
  teaspoon
  
  Vanilla extract
  

Lime Jell-o Layer

• 1
  Pack
  
  Lime Jell-o
  
• 1
  cup
  Water
  boiling

Garnish

• 
  Whipped cream
  
• 
  Green edible glitter
  

Instructions

Step 1 – Graham Cracker Base

• Crush 3 oz Graham cracker using a chopper.
  3 oz Graham cracker
• Empty crumbs into a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt 1.76 oz Unsalted butter in a small pan on the stove or in the microwave (in a microwave-safe bowl).
  1.76 oz Unsalted butter
• Pour the melted butter over the cracker crumbs and mix well.
• Now, take six preserving jars and divide the crumb mixture among the jars. (About three teaspoon per jar). Press tightly together in the jar to form a firm base.
• Once you’ve created the graham cracker base in the jars, please put them in the fridge until you’ve prepared the cream cheese filling and Jell-o.

Step 2 – Cream Cheese Filling

• Add 7 oz Cream cheese, 5 oz Mascarpone, ¾ cup Icing sugar, and 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl.
  7 oz Cream cheese,
  5 oz Mascarpone,
  ¾ cup Icing sugar,
  1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• Whip with the whisk attachment for two to three minutes on medium-high speed until a creamy mixture forms.
• Fill the cream into a pastry bag and take the chilled preserving jars out of the refrigerator.
• Divide the finished cheesecake batter between the jars.

Step 3 – Lime Jell-o

• Fill 1 Pack Lime Jell-o in a mixing bowl and add 1 cup Water (boiling).
• Whisk well until no crystals remain.
• Let the Jell-O sit on the bench for 20 minutes.
• Take the cheesecake jars from the fridge and carefully divide the Lime Jell-o between the cheesecake-filled glasses.
• Place the cheesecakes in the fridge and leave to set for 2-3 hours.

Step 4 – Garnish

• Right before serving, take the small cheesecakes out of the fridge.
• Generously top with (readymade) Whipped cream and dust with Green edible glitter.
• Serve and celebrate.

Notes

If you prefer to have a delightful syrup as a topping, you can prepare it as follows:

Combine the 150 g fig preserves with 70 g brown sugar and 50 g butter in a saucepan. Melt over low heat and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool and pour over the cream cheese before serving.

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Keyword
cheesecake in a jar, Green dessert, no bake cheesecake, no bake lime cheesecake, St. Patrick’s Dessert, St. Patricks Day

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Mention @combinegoodflavors or tag #combinegoodflavors!

Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Serving:
1
Serving

|

Calories:
597
kcal

|

Carbohydrates:
60
g

|

Protein:
7
g

|

Fat:
38
g

|

Saturated Fat:
22
g

|

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

|

Monounsaturated Fat:
7
g

|

Trans Fat:
0.3
g

|

Cholesterol:
100
mg

|

Sodium:
282
mg

|

Potassium:
122
mg

|

Fiber:
0.5
g

|

Sugar:
49
g

|

Vitamin A:
1209
IU

|

Calcium:
114
mg

|

Iron:
1
mg

⛑️ Important Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any delicious treat. Please keep these general guidelines in mind:

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) where applicable for ingredients (though not relevant for this no-bake recipe’s main components, good general practice).
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
• Always wash hands thoroughly after touching raw meat or other potentially hazardous foods.
• Do not leave perishable food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods, especially dairy-based desserts like cheesecake.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds (if cooking is involved in other recipes).
• Always ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove.

For further comprehensive information and guidelines on safe food handling, always refer to reputable sources like the Safe Food Handling – FDA.