it's like a virus

I started with an e-mail containing this link. From eggplant, where many new obsessions start and are shared. Cupcakes in a jar. Huh? I saw the link and didn't really think about it again. . . but then it crept into my brain. Slowly at first. Before I realized it, I knew I had to try and make something baked in a jar. It became an obsession. The potential for gift giving seemed endless. They are perfect. Small, portable, weird, dessert-y and mildly trashy, yet have the ability to be quite cute and elegant. A cupcake in a jar google search didn't turn up much info, but a cake in a jar search was a goldmine. There is a ton of info out there about baking in jars. What a wonderful world it is.
 

These are 1/2 pint jars of pumpkin spice cake (the recipe is from from mailorder last year.) I called eggplant the next day—she had been researching it too and we both had this bug real bad. About 5 calls and several e-mails later I told Grammie and like some sort of crafting angel she busts out with a case of these jars, brand new, she happened to have on hand and gave me 8. Awesome. I filled them in the next 12 hours. If you want to frost them you have to fill them less then I did, which was about 3/4 full. I just pressed the lid on and squished the cake down before they cooled. The result was a tender cake, almost like a pudding, because it steamed a bit. Heavenly.

If you get a jar with straight sides and don't frost it, the cakes will slide out whole. No kidding. Just oil the jars first. I didn't flour mine and they still came out fine, but eating them out of the jar with a little spoon was more fun. The girls totally freaked out, and they don't even eat cake. Well, they do now.

These actually seal when you close them up hot. Some sites say you can keep them, sealed, up to 6 months on a shelf. Of course boil the lids and all that—and no frosting, of course. I am keeping them in the freezer, they can thaw in a day, ready to be given out with holiday fanfare. My mind is racing now. . .cakes on picnics, in the mail (but they are heavy, that shipping would be expensive) and in lunch sacks, or you could keep one in your jacket pocket! And then Mariko and I discussed different jar contents; brownies, pound cakes, gingerbread, oh good lord. I am thinking some sort of pie type thing now, a graham cracker crust layer with fruit on top, or a creme pie. I mean, if I freeze them, I can fill them with whatever, right?

We are both on a crazy cake in a jar train going in different directions. Mariko is going the light cake and frosting route, she dropped off a pint size which was an amazing chocolate cake with an espresso frosting. I am more about the dense cake, without frosting, and exploring packaging potential. We both agree the 1/2 pint size, which is so easy to accidentally overfill, is definitely the way to go for the cute factor.

We both used our normal recipes, watched the baking time, (bake these on a rimmed sheet for easy removal) and then just winged it from there. 1/2 of a cake recipe easily filed 8 1/2 pint jars (about 8 oz) with some left over.

I have calmed down, sort of. But really, there will be more of these. Baking in a jar. . . pure genius.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Just a note about baking in a glass jar at home - canning jar manufacturers do not recommend it due to the possibility of bacterial growth. I've seen the etsy store (Fat Daddy Bake Shop) and also been drooling, but remember that they are a licensed bakery and can use preservatives not available to the home baker.

[Carla]

It has been years since I did this but I used to make Boston Brown Bread, steamed in a kettle. We always gobbled it down immediately, but I can see where it might be sealed and given as a gift. Delicious.

[Virginia]

The ONLY thing that's keeping me from screaming with excitement is that I'm at work.

I make fruitcake every year, and this might be a brilliant method for that: no more soppy cheesecloth! No more cherry brandy leaking from the cake mummies all over the pantry shelf!

[KK]

Jars can be found relatively inexpensively at Target, Walmart, & most Grocery Chains. I think I'll add this to my list of things I must try. It'll be an ideal gift for the neighbors--preferably hot! Please tell us how to make the labels.

[Liz]

I made Banana Nut Bread in a jar last year. I thought I was so cool. :D Pumpkin Spice sounds even better though! Love your lids too!!

[Cass W]

Great idea. Sticky date pudding in these would be great too.

[Ingrid]

I love this idea. It's brilliant. I'm trying it as soon as I can find some cute, little jars.

[~ Junkyard Jennifer]

Amy ~ Thanks for sharing this! This is one of the coolest ideas I've seen lately! ~ Jennifer

[shawn]

One word: AWESOME!!

[Stacy]

well slap me and call me happy. too cute but dang, i gotta have one!

[Kim]

what can i add that has not been already. i need to print this post and search for these type jars. i have a 1yo son's bday party coming up HOW PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cannot add enough exclamations.

[samantha w.]

freaking adorable. if you need any other testers, i'll send you my address pronto. :)

[Emma]

I've never heard of this before. Adorable!!

[Joanna]

OK. I have an idea. If it works, it could be just too good. I have a recipe for the most awesome "molten" chocolate cakes. You know the kind that have the pudding-like center? What if you could bake it, give it, and have them re-warm it in the microwave before eating...in a jar!Yum!! I wish I had the time to test my theory, but I do know my flourless chocolate cake recipe would be perfect for this-thanks!

[Dawn]

Sounds like a yummy idea! So many possibilities!

[theolivepapaya]

This is fantastic!! How come I didn't get the memo on this sooner? My secretary is sooo fired.

[Melissa H]

You're bringing back memories of Girl Scouts and pumpkin cake baked in cans. It would slide out with ridges on the sides and you could serve slices. Fun times!

[Basil]

Your enthusiasm is infectious! Thanks for sharing...

[amy k.]

hey thanks!! you gotta try these-

and regarding baking in jars and food safty-I think if they are eaten/given right away or put in the freezer, think bacteria wouldn't be an issue. . .

and the labels are paper cut into circles and glued to the tops (with a glue stick) and then the text labels are just from my printer.

The paper is from the martha crafts line at michaels. . .

[Debra Kay]

I look forward to my aunt's brown bread in a jar every year....mever tried it myself.

[Nicole]

Yes, yes! Genius is the right word. They look ubercute! I will definitely try this.
Thank you!

[SoniaM]

this site has a bunch of food in a bag/jar type things--they have the cupcakes too very cute

http://www1.gooseberrypatch.com/gooseberry/products.nsf/f.categorysearch?openform&definedsearch=food::|strstart=1|linkloc=lhn

[Cara]

Okay - this may end up being a New Years gift, but I have got to try it. Will any cake or loaf recipe work, or is there a trick to picking a good one for jarring?

[Penny]

what a fabulous idea!!!

[gleek]

wow, i'm totally into this whole cake in a jar thing! finding jars around here might be tough. i'd have to buy them online i think.

[Karlee Fuchs]

HI first time commenter... I bake them in the microwave. Spray pam and cook on high for 3-4 min. depending I can did out the recipe but it is a baggie thing and then dump in a ramikin and add water. I did tons a few years back, but try the microwave.

[workingthatpreppy]

very perfect little gift...yum...yum

[Lea]

This is just BRILLIANT!!! My son is stationed in Iraq and he is always commenting how he misses my cakes... I haven't sent any cause it takes a bit to get a package there... but this could work.... like cake for his unit on his birthday... ( like I use to send cupcakes to school !!).. this really opens wide many doors...
... thanks you bunches...
PS... loving your book!!!

[KitchenNut]

I love it! I love it!! I'm always on hunts of how to do more "small-batch" baking, and this is it! Thanks so much, Amy!!

[Erin]

Completely brilliant idea! Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

[LeeAnn]

What a fabulous idea! I am loving the picnic idea. Now where is my warm weather?

[Just Jaime]

I L-O-V-E this idea! I have a pile of canning jars sitting around wondering what they are destined for and I think you've provided the answer to that question. :)
Thanks so much for sharing!

[Just Jaime]

I L-O-V-E this idea! I have a pile of canning jars sitting around wondering what they are destined for and I think you've provided the answer to that question. :)
Thanks so much for sharing!

[Michelle]

I LOVE THE LIDS! I give away jam every year for Christmas, and I still haven't figured out a way to make them look pretty. I can't stand "fabric lid covers" .. they remind me too much of the early 90's Country Decor Era. I've been looking for modern, sophisticated, this is the best jam you'll ever eat kind of a lid. Labels would be perfect. How did you make them?

[Michelle]

I LOVE THE LIDS! I give away jam every year for Christmas, and I still haven't figured out a way to make them look pretty. I can't stand "fabric lid covers" .. they remind me too much of the early 90's Country Decor Era. I've been looking for modern, sophisticated, this is the best jam you'll ever eat kind of a lid. Labels would be perfect. How did you make them?

[Julie Robertson]

Geez, you are so creative!!! I love reading your blog, but you make me feel so inferior!! I wish I had half of your energy. My kids are 15, 13, and 10, very independent and I am a stay-at-home mom. But there is no way that I can keep up with you! Maybe I need to take iron or a multivitamin. You do inspire me with your ideas, when I grow up I hope to be like you (I'm 41, lol). Thank you for sharing your your brain with us.

[cathygaubert]

oh my goodness! this idea is fabulous!! i used supereggplant's gingerbread pudding cake recipe and baked it in taller 8 oz jars + it is so freakin' yummy. as the cakes cool, a deliciously gooey layer is created at the bottom of the jar...pop one in the microwave for about 25 seconds and you will have spoonfuls of heaven (i know that sounds overly dramatic, but seriously, it is true). for the ones that i gave as gifts today, i added a dollop of cream cheese-buttercream icing...so good. thanks again for the link to the recipe and your daily inspiration! merry christmas :) cathy

[gaile]

I wonder - is there a way to divvy up the dry ingredients, and package them in the jar as a prezzie, with instructions on how to mix the wet stuff in and then bake it in the jar? That would get around the bacteria issue while still maintaining the incredibly cute factor. Plus, then they could puff up. like a cupcake in a jar?

[Ally]

Oh, wow. That's just brilliant.

[Tiff @ Three Peas in a Pod]

I have never seen this. I may have to try this with my kiddos!

[Cathy Champion]

Oh my - I can see my husband will love me tonight after I make his favorite cream cheese pie and put it in jars! His style altogether - no muss, no fuss, just open and eat with a spoon!
Mmmm, maybe I'll take it a step further and put cherry pie filling on top sprinkled with some miniature chocolate chips! I just MAY get that embroidery machine I've been hinting for for Christmas after he eats these - thanks!

[Tara]

I love this idea! Also love your blog. Thanks for being great!

[PAM REZNICK]

I got to you from splitcoast stampers. I never heard of this. It sounds like a great weekend project. Is the recipe for the "amazing choc. cake with expresso frosting" available?
Thanks.

[Kajola]

I desperately want to try this, right now! How delicious!

[Rory]

The Paula Deen Holiday baking magazine (which I bought months ago and have been drooling over ever since) has a whole chapter about things you can make/bake in jars.

[a.]

These have a tradition here in Germany. Bahlsen cakes make these (the famous cookies brand), and there's also an online shop: kuchen-im-glas.com (cakes-in-a-jar).

[Bunny]

Nifty Idea! and I am glad to hear my kids are not the only ones who won't eat cake.

[natascha]

WoW I have to try this!! Thanks for the links!

[Brooke]

I teach nutrition to low income familes, and one of the recipes we do for our Holiday Cookbook is a "cake in a mug"(which can be cooked in the microwave for 2 mins, comes out tasty too!)...its nice because they get the yummy yummy cake, but it comes in reusable mug! bonus! :)

[kecia]

so where do shop for the cute little half pint jars?