You may be saying Cake in a jar? Why? But I say, Cake in a jar, why not?
I thought Hubby might have thought I’d gone bonkers when I decided to make cake in a jar after spotting it on Babble over the weekend. Lacey had been pestering to make cake for days on end, so I thought this would be a novel way to entertain her.
Early Sunday morning I started raiding the fridge for perfectly shaped & sized half-empty jars, and then started soaking them ready for a bit of baking fun.
After the jars were soaked, cleaned and dried, we whipped up a batch of Donna Hay’s patty cakes {recipe below}. We then divided them into batches. In the first batch we tossed in some broken up Lindt caramel milk chocolate and then filled the jar two-thirds full.
Whilst this one was made for Hubby, I did have a taste-test and I can assure you after topping with some icing it’s deliciously delectable. The perfect mix of golden on the outside, and soft & just cooked in the middle.
For Lacey’s little creation we wanted to go a little more colourful, so it was rainbow all the way. We separated the batter into 5 small bowls and coloured them each green, yellow, red, blue {with sparkles} and purple.
Unfortunately the vibrant colours don’t look as beautiful once cooked from the outside, but once Lacey dipped her spoon in the brightness was just being shy and hiding inside. We topped it with some neon yellow icing to finish it off.
I am thinking they’d be great for parties served in little Heinz baby food jars with plain icing, letting the kids decorate them as a party activity.
Donna Hay Patty Cakes
1 1/2 cups SR flour
2/3 cup caster sugar
155g butter, at room temperature
3 eggs lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
♥ Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until well combined.
♥ To make cake in a jar, create your fillings and place into the jar until two-thirds full. Place in an oven at 160 degrees celcius and watch carefully. I knew our cakes were ready once they were golden on the outside and risen to the top. Be careful not to overfill or it will spill. If it does, simply scoop out a little and put icing on top.
♥ Eat with a spoon & a smile on your face.
What creation do you think you’d be tempted to put into your cake mix? Choc-chip? Brownies? Something else?
these are adorable! the perfect alternative if you don't need an entire cake. although, who doesn't need an entire cake? (:
i love the chocolate carmel bar. i bet you could also put in some sprinkles and make your own confetti cake!
thanks for sharing!
sarah
such a clever idea! and a good use for all those charming jelly jars that i can't seem to part with! Chocolate cake with chocolate bits! What could be better?
I love the idea of this! I saw an apple streusle-style cake in a jar not long ago, and that looked pretty great to me!
Heidi xo
This is a wondeful idea. Hubby's birthday is coming up and rather than making a full cake for 2 people I'll now make this. Thanks for sharing! x
I love the baby food jars idea! I am now going to save all my jars in preparation. I will send my husband to your blog when he hassles my hoarding ways.
Loving the colourful cake idea, my kids would love this.
We often make Cake in a mug (Chocolate mud cake) Via the microwave. Adding all the colours make this one look so much more fun!
Thanks for sharing. xx
What a interesting idea, I like it xo
what a great idea! Now I know what to do with all my jars 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Such a cute idea! I will have to try the multi-coloured cake with Mr 2, he is obsessed with cooking at the moment. Love the baby food jar idea too, I have a whole box of empties in the pantry just waiting to be used for something…
Oh my giddy aunt – what an AMAZING idea!
I noticed that at the op-shop around the corner, they had a big box of jars – I am going to go and get me some. What a great idea for dessert when people come for dinner – do ahead, quirky and … CAKE!
Clever you! Thanks!
How you find time in the day to keep being so bakery and creative is beyond me! Feel bit inadequate…my daughter saw this post over my shoulder and I know what I'll be doing come Saturday…
XJH
Cute idea! I have a whole heap of empty jars that have been sitting in the bottom of my pantry waiting for me to accomplish my ambitious plan of making my grandmother's pickles. Maybe I'll change my mind – I can always be tempted by a little sugar…
Such a cute idea. I have a stash of cute glass jars that I couldn't bring myself to throw away, so I guess I now have a use for them.
A few months back, I made a rainbow cake and to tell you the truth, I wouldn't give it to my wee ones again. I had a huge headache after eating it and I'm sure it was to do with all the colouring. (Sorry to be a party pooper.
@Anon: I'm pretty lucky because Lacey doesn't really like cake, only making it – and tasting the batter. So that poor little rainbow cake actually ended up being tossed out!
Oh no, sooooo didn't need to see these!! x
Such a great idea! I'm off to find some pretty jars and cook cake in them!
How did they bake up?
LOVE!!
I like to add a little spice to my cakes.
What is the beautiful font you've used for your CAKE in a JAR writing on the top photo?
I have a real *thing* for mason jars and cake… so this looks like just about the greatest baking adventure ever! I`m thinking sliced apples or dried cranberries would be a great seasonal twist right now (for those of us in mid-winter Australia, that is). So happy to have stumbled across your blog!
– Catherine at The Spring
http://www.thespringblog.com
You need to use gel food colouring to get the colour to stay, I have just started baking a rainbow cake, they have worked great.. These look delish!!