Co-worker and Home & Garden Assistant Editor – Digital, Danielle Calkins, loves to bake in jars. She shares her expertise for this fun and delicious food project.
There’s something special about homemade gifts. As someone who has created homemade birthday cards for my family since I was a little girl (yes, markers, glitter, folded paper; the whole shebang), I never get tired of crafting that perfect present.
So when my friend asked if I wanted to make homemade holiday gifts with her this past winter, I agreed willingly. And so our search began, for designs, inspiration and that aha! moment when we’d find just the right idea. That’s when we discovered “cupcakes in a jar”.
Sure we’d seen it done before; in fact, we’d found bakers who sell their own baked goods in jars. But we wanted to prove we could make ours just as good (and not to mention, cheaper).
So without further ado, here’s how our first jars turned out. To make unwrapping more fun for everyone, I placed the finished jars on top of one another in this patterned container:
My family loved the cupcakes, so I went on my merry way, considering our gift-endeavor a success. Then, just a few weeks ago a co-worker was holding a fundraiser, so I offered to make another set of cupcakes for her to give away. It was simple, fun and they were a huge hit. Here’s how I did it.
What you’ll need:
- Box cake mix & ingredients (or homemade if you’d like)
- Cooking Spray
- Baking sheet
- Frosting
- Fabric, Ribbon, etc.
- Ball Mason jars (any size)
1. To start, wash and dry your Mason jars. Spray thoroughly with cooking spray. Set aside. In my case, I placed them on a large baking sheet to make moving them in and out of the oven easier. Preheat oven.
2. Prepare the cake mix. Sure, you can jazz up your mix however you’d like or make homemade, but if you’re pressed for time, box mix tastes yummy too.
3. Fill your jars. Make sure to only put a small amount into each jar, depending on jar size. As a general reference, keep the batter below the “Ball” logo on the jar. And remember- less really is more. Once your tray is full, put them into the oven. Carefully watch your jars as they cook to make sure they’re not overflowing.
4. When done baking, let the jars cool completely before decorating. Frosting your cakes is easiest with a pastry bag, or for a simple alternative, purchase frosting cans, with nozzles already in tact. (That’s what I did—and it was fantastic.)
5. Once frosted, decorate with sprinkles, chopped candy canes, chocolate chips, etc.
6. When closing up your jarred cupcakes, place fabric between the two Mason jar lid pieces, and screw on tightly. Use ribbon to decorate.
Since I’m all about presentation, I jazzed my jars up by placing them neatly in a wicker basket. And voila!
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How long can you store the cupcakes? do they keep in the freezer with the frosting already on them?
Koehn –
The cupcakes will only keep a couple days – just like normal cupcakes. I wouldn’t store them in the freezer with frosting. If you are going to freeze, let them cool completely, cover the tops with plastic wrap, loosely screw on the lid, then freeze. Add the frosting when you’re ready to eat or serve.
Hi Charli –
I wouldn’t recommend using baby food jars – they’re not necessarily oven proof safe.
This is a great idea! Can you use another type of jar (jelly, peanut butter, etc?)
Awesome idea! Can we do brownies too?
I have made nut breads in a jar. As soon as they come out of the oven, you put the lid on and they seal, which means they keep indefinitely. I filled the jars about 2/3 full.
I’ve froze cakes already iced and they did ok. Only you will have to let them completely cool before closing up or they will get condensation on/in them.
What oven temp. did you use for the glass jars?
I love the idea. Thanks for sharing.
I have not done the jar ones, but I keep my frosted cupcakes in the freezer so when the kids want one I can just pull out and thaw.
IT IS MUCH EASIER TO MAKE CUPCAKES THE ORIGINAL WAY AND THEN CUT THEM IN HALF AND PLACE 1/2 CUPCAKE IN JAR THEN ADD SOME TYPE OF FROSTING OR FILLING THEN ADD THE OTHER HALF OF THE CUPCAKE AND TOP WITH FROSTING. VERY EASY AND VERY FUN!
I have made the jar cakes which will last for more than a year. Just fill 2/3 of the way. There will be no room for decorating. Put steralized lids on tightly immediately after removing from the oven so they will seal.
I have also made pie in a jar!!! they r great and fun to do!!!
This seems odd…I’ve never heard of eating cake out of a jar/cup. It looks really cute, but is it awkward to eat?
Please tell us at what temperature to bake these – and for what length of time!
The oven temp and baking time is not given?
What temp and how long do you bake? Thanks!
Would like to try this but you did not state what degree you should set the oven at, please advise.
Thank You Linda
How do you test for doneness? Surely a toothpick is too short. Is there a time?
Asking what the cupcakes sold for?
I’m a farmwife of 50 years. During planting season and harvest season, my husband will some days ask me to pack a cooler with sandwiches, fruits, veggies and snacks. I don’t like buying snack cakes to send in cooler because of the fats & sugar. I like to bake cookies and now can bake cupcakes in a jar for him. Also, would be great to gift for elderly widowed friends. Thanks
Hi Kathleen –
Long bamboo kebab skewers work perfectly!
Hi everyone!
Follow the recommend temperatures on the back of your box mix – generally 350 degrees. Because the length of time will vary due to the size of jars you are using, check the centers with a toothpick or bamboo skewer.
Hi Suzie –
Brownies would work well too!! Really, you could bake just about anything in the jars.
Hi Judy –
You’re going to want to use jars that are oven safe. You’d have to check to make sure that your jelly and peanut butter jars are oven safe. Most of them are not.
Hi Verna -
Be careful with putting the lids on once you remove from the oven. Condensation can build creating the perfect environment for mold. We’re not suggesting you use this method for food preservation. It’s just simply another way to bake cupcakes and enjoy them – with in the standard 2-3 window.
Hi Jan –
Be careful with putting your lids on after removing your cakes from the oven. Condensation can form creating the perfect environment for mold. This shouldn’t be used as a method for food preservation – simply a fun and creative way to bake and enjoy cupcakes.
I have baked bannana nut bread in pint mason jars. They make the cutest and most tasty gifts! Just follow the direction on temp in your receipe. Let the bread cool for a little while, when it is still warm put the seal lid and ring and as it cools it will seal. It will keep for about a week.
Pam –
Danielle never sold these cupcakes – so if you’re planning on selling feel free to set your own price.
Does the cup cake slide out of the jar easily? Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina – You eat the cupcake in the jar! It’s easier than tipping the cakes out.
Love, love love this new idea and all the comments!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
This is an interesting idea. I was just about to sell a whole box of jars at my yard sale for 5 cents each, since I don’t can. Maybe I will save out a few and try this baking idea.
Wilhelmina- You could make these in a wide mouth jar if you want to be able to dump it out. Upside down cake!
I would like to try these but you did not put at what degree to bake them. Please e-mail me to let me know. Thank You Linda Kopp
I have made scratch cakes, brownies and cupcakes in a jar for years. If the jar is sprayed well the cake item will pop right out. My family, friends and coworkers love them and they make great gifts for christmas baskets. I have even done cobbler and a double stuffed choc chip cookie in jars. Give it a try.
o what a neat way to present a gift. will have to try this even tho i dont cook much any more.
To send these jar cakes overseas, make sure you boil the lids while the cakes are baking. When the cakes come out, remove the lid from the water, tap it on a towel to remove excess water, and put the lid on while the cake is still hot. (The cakes can cool for 5-10 minutes and still be okay). While the cake cools, the jar seals itself and you hear the lid “pop.” These cakes last for MONTHS and are still moist and tasty
My husband loves them! He sends back the jars and asks for more. ***I would NOT put icing on the cake before you seal it. Send a separate jar of icing that can be added to the cakes upon their arrival.***
Thank you for the idea. I am going to make these for my husband’s bday while he is deployed on a ship.
Dear Sarah and Beverly (and others who store these cakes for long periods of time in sealed jars)
WARNING WARNING WARNING!!!!
Even though the cakes may keep for long periods of time when the jar seals (and oxygen is removed), it is not a safe method. Sure they won’t go stale, but botulism is a risk (a far deadlier risk than mold) for canned baked goods. They are not hot enough for a long enough period of time to kill the spores. This information is actually mentioned as a tip on my local (Utah State University) canning extension on one of their handouts of deadly mistakes. Feel free to google their number and call them with further questions or contact your own local canning extension.
Do you spray the outside of the jar for baking purposes? Not sure if “spray thoroughly” meant all of jar. Not to smart.
Thanks for this info. My son is in Afghanistan and hoping for something homemade.
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