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! 

 

   I originally made this recipe as a special brunch for my Mom on Mother’s Day. I was on a cream cheese kick during the Real Women of Philadelphia cooking contest that I participated in two years in a row. Then as a member of the recipe sharing site Just a Pinch, they chose this recipe as a Blue Ribbon winner. 

I thought I would share this recipe today during Valentine’s week since it is a decadent and delicious meal perfect for your sweetheart! Whether you serve it as a romantic brunch or even a chocolate- lovers dessert, this is sure to be a hit with your special someone this Valentine’s Day !

Oh man, my nesting instincts have kicked in and since my baby girl should be here any day now all I’m doing is cooking and baking! So last night I decided I would recreate this recipe I found on Pinterest via the www.newlyweds-blog.com . My husband LOVES red velvet so I knew these would be a big hit. And I pretty much will eat anything right now

 

 

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9 X 13 clear glass baking pan.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. 

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

 Stir in food coloring and vanilla, mix until the color is fully incorporated.

  I used a whole mini bottle of red food coloring to get the rich red color.

 

  

   Slowly add in the flour mixture being very careful not to over mix. The batter will be very thick.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir up the batter with a rubber spatula once or twice just to ensure all of the flour has incorporated from the sides of the bowl and there isn’t anything stuck on the bottom of the bowl.  You’ll want one uniformly colored (red) batter.

 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes. 35 minutes for a thin crust on top and gooey underneath.  Set aside to cool, cut into bars and serve.

Check out my vintage apron I found on ebay! So cute!