What are jar cakes?
Jar cakes are a great way to make a cake that looks like it came from a bakery but is made in the comfort of your own home. You can use jars for everything from cakes and frostings to confections and relishes.
In case you're not familiar with them, let's take a look at what makes jar cakes so special:
They're portable. It's easy to bring a jar of cake with you on vacation or take it along when you go out of town with friends. Just pack it in your suitcase!
They're easy to make. Jar cakes are usually very simple to put together—just mix ingredients in a jar, add hot water and cover the top of the jar with foil. Once the mixture has cooled down, remove the foil and enjoy!
They're perfect for parties or events where food may be limited (like picnics or tailgates). No need to worry about how much food will be served; just make your little snack!
Two jar cakes recipes you'll love
• Chocolate Jar Cake
• Red Velvet Jar Cake
Chocolate Jar Cake
Preparation: 15 mins
Cooking: 10 mins
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 glasses
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake:
cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the buttercream frosting:
1 (1 pound) box of powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Steps
- Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Line a 15 x 10-inch rimmed baking sheet with non-stick foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, combine vegetable oil, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until well mixed.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined and the cake batter is smooth.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking sheet pan and spread it into an even layer. The cake will be thin. Bake in a 350-degree F oven for 10 minutes. The cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and springs back when pressed lightly. Allow cooling completely before slicing and layer in glasses.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the powdered sugar and butter. Add just enough milk to achieve desired consistency and mix in vanilla extract.
- Fill the prepared frosting into a piping bag.
- Using a 2 1/2 inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut circles out of the cake. Reserve the rest of the cake.
- Place a circle in the bottom of each 4-ounce mason jar. Top with a swirl of icing. Continue layering until you reach the top of the jar. Scatter some of the cake scraps on top. Continue until all glasses are assembled.
- Close the jars with the lids and put them in the fridge until ready to serve. Decorate the glasses with ribbons or gift tags as you wish. Bring the glasses to room temperature before serving.
Red Velvet Jar Cake
Ingredients
1 box of red velvet cake, prepared
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Sprinkles for Valentine's Day
6 wide mouth pint glasses
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Line a 10" x 16" baking sheet with parchment paper and grease the sides of the pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the cake batter evenly on the pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely, then use a 2 ½ inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cake. Each glass has three round pieces of cake.
- To prepare the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, extract, and butter until smooth and well blended.
- Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Place a round of cake at the bottom of each glass.
- Using a piping bag, pipe a layer of frosting onto the cake.
- Continue layering the cake and icing until the jar is full. Repeat the process with the remaining glasses.
- Sprinkle each glass with sprinkles, if desired.
Tips for making jar cakes at home
Jar cakes are a popular dessert that can be made at home. They are easy to make and they look great. The most important part of making a jar cake is the frosting. It is important to use buttercream frosting because it is the base of the cake. It is also important to choose a jar that you know will be airtight when you are finished so that the cake does not dry out. To get a nice even layer, it is best to use a rubber spatula to spread the frosting on the cake, then place the cake in the jar. When you are done, put the lid on and gently shake the jar to level out the top of the cake.
Conclusion
Jar cakes are fun and easy to make and are an excellent way to make a cake on the fly. They are perfect for a potluck or when you are having a party and don’t have time to bake. The best part is that they are easy to transport and can be eaten without any utensils. All you need is a jar and some cake mix. You can also use a canning jar and a cake mix to make a pumpkin pie.
