Mason Jar Lid Mini Pies

Have you seen the latest dessert trend? I have to admit I’m a sucker for presentation and packaging, and these got me right in the heart (AKA stomach). You make tiny little pies in mason jar lids. Brilliant, right?! I know! If you can make a big pie with a graham cracker crust in a springform pan with the pop out bottom, of course you can make a mini one in a mason jar lid.

The bottom pops out the exact same way. Plus it’s cute and you have built in portion control. Unless you make dozens of little pies and have a pie eating contest. As soon as I saw this idea, I had to get to work. Yes, I pretty much jumped up and ran to the kitchen to grab my lids but don’t judge me.

I whipped up a quick protein version because that’s just where I happened to start but don’t stop there. The ideas are endless. You can use a graham cracker for the crust in place of the Weetabix cereal. You can change the filling to chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, cheesecake flavored pudding, greek yogurt and more.

Mason Jar Lid Mini Pies 

• 2 Mason Jar Lids, rings and bottoms
• 1/2 Weetabix flaked wheat biscuit
• 1 tsp (4g) reduced calorie butter spread, melted
• 1/2 scoop (15g) vanilla protein powder
• Toppings of choice like cinnamon, pie spice, chocolate chips, whipped cream

Use a knife and crush the Weetabix biscuit half into crumbs. You can also use your hands to crush it if you’d like. Mix the biscuit in with the melted butter and press the crumbs evenly into the two mason jar lids to form the crusts.

In a small bowl, combine the protein powder with a little bit of water to form a pudding consistency. Spread the filling into the prepared pie crusts. Top with toppings of choice and enjoy.

Makes 2 mini pies at approximately 120 calories for both – 13g protein, 8g carbs, and 4g fat.

I used Smart Balance Original Spread as the “butter” since it’s dairy free, but you can use real butter or margarine as well. If you’d like a sweeter crust, add a pinch of sugar or stevia when you mix the butter and crumbs together. If you’re using a graham cracker, you may not need added sugar.

You can even modify a protein cheesecake recipe into a couple mini cheesecakes. The possibilities are definitely not as mini as the pies. Have fun with this and make it your own. Show me your pies!