My husband Ashton is gone on his first deployment and I am always trying to think of fun and creative things to send in his care packages. After searching on Pinterest for care package ideas I came across numerous cake in jar recipes. I loved the clever idea of baking a cake in a jar and then sealing it so it stays moist and fresh for a month plus. So I decided for this month’s care package for Ashton I would make his favorite cake, Red Velvet, and bake and send it in a jar!
Don’t be intimidated. This recipe is super simple. However, you can also use any box mix and bake in a jar too! Or think “out of the box” and bake brownies, pie, or bread in a jar!

View my how to video here!

My grocery store was out of large bottles of red food coloring so I bought the assorted pack with a smaller bottle. One of these small bottles is only 1 tbsp so if you want a bright red cake you will need 2 bottles.

Combine softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix on medium until creamed.

Add eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl mix flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

Sift together and combine back in a bowl.

In a small cup mix buttermilk and red food coloring

 (1-2 tbsp depending on how bright of red you want).

Finally, in a small bowl mix white vinegar and baking soda. It will fizz up. 

Add it immediately to the batter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mix the batter together and now you are ready to bake!

I pour my batter into a measuring cup so it is easier to pour into the jars.

Spray jars with non stick spray 

Fill each jar halfway with batter.

Place jars on a baking sheet, about 6 on each sheet. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 min (I baked mine for closer to 30 min).

While the cakes bake, place lids (tops only) in a small saucepan

 filled with water and bring to a boil. After the water boils, turn off heat, and let the lids sit in the hot water the entire time the cakes bake.

I used the leftover batter to make mini cupcakes!

Cakes in jars fresh out of the oven! Don’t worry about them baking higher than the rim of the jars. When you seal the lids on, the cakes will go down.

As soon as the jars come out of the oven, remove the hot lids out of the hot water with tongs and dry off with a towel. Place on top of jar and screw on ring tightly.

Let jars cool, and in about 30 minutes, they will seal and the lids will pop. 

Your cakes will stay fresh and moist!

Ava helped me wrap up the jars in bubble wrap and

 pack the care package up for her Daddy.

I decorated the jars with ribbon, patriotic gift tags and included a jar of cream cheese frosting!