How to Make a Cake in a Jar - a Beginner's Guide to Success
Posted by The Wares Team on 12th May 2023
Jump onto Pinterest and search for parties and entertainment ideas and you'll inevitably see images of cute cakes and cheesecakes in jars. These fun and creative cake in a jar recipes are beautiful to look at, fun to gift, and often very easy to make. They help make any table arrangement special and they're perfect for anyone who loves to decorate!
Even kids can make their own cakes in a jar if they are old enough to handle glass jars, follow a recipe and use an oven, where appropriate. So let's take a look at what you'll need to get started and some great recipes for inspiration.
Equipment needed to make cakes in a jar
Mason jars are always a popular choice for creative cake in a jar recipes. You can use any kind of glass jar, but one with a lid is useful if you want to transport your creation. A 12 oz capacity is about right for an individual portion. Depending on the recipe you choose, you might also need baking paper, a sheet cake pan, cookie cutters, icing piping materials, and decorative items. Some cakes involve layering up sponge and icing whilst others are baked as a batter in the oven or microwave before topping with cream, ice cream, or delicious sweet toppers! Whatever you need, we stock a full range of baking equipment at Wares (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/baking/).
How to make a cake in a jar
There are two main ways to make these beautiful little treats. The first is to take your usual preferred sponge cake recipe and make it in a flat tin. You then cut out circles of the baked sponge with a cookie cutter and then layer them up in your glass jar with alternating layers of icing, ice cream or whipped cream to suit. Alternatively, make your cake batter and then spoon it into your prepared glass jar before baking it in the oven as usual.
It's also easy to make a wonderful cheesecake in a jar. Here's an easy recipe that you can use as inspiration and a starting point for your own creation:
1. Heat 150g of mixed berries with a tablespoon of caster sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice in a pan. Stir the ingredients well until the sugar dissolves and the berries become jam-like. Let the mix cool.
2. Place four ginger biscuits into a plastic food bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into crumbs.
3. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a pan over a low heat, and add the crushed biscuits to make a well-combined mixture.
4. Spoon the biscuit and butter mix into the bottom of your glass jar.
5. Place 125g of mascarpone cheese into a large bowl and fold in two tablespoons of sugar and a little lemon zest to taste.
6. Spoon the sweetened mascarpone over the biscuit base, then spoon over the berries and their juice.
7. Serve the treat immediately!
Easiest ever microwave cake in a jar recipe
You can even make a fast mug cake if you've only got a couple of minutes and need a sweet treat. Here's a good basic outline recipe to begin with for a white chocolate and raspberry microwave mug cake:
1. Pour 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, butter or vegetable oil into a glass.
2. Add three tablespoons each of caster sugar and plain flour, together with a beaten egg and a pinch of baking powder.
3. Use a fork to mix the ingredients until they form a smooth batter.
4. Add a few raspberries, a little white chocolate and a few flaked almonds if you wish.
5. Pop the filled jar in the microwave and cook on high for a minute until the cake puffs up. Remember to undercook it as it will continue to set as it cools down.
6. Serve with your favourite topping and enjoy this fastest-ever hot pudding!
There are plenty of great cake in a jar recipes online (you can also use a mug if you don't have a glass jar to hand), such as these from the BBC: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/hacks/easiest-ever-microwave-mug-cakes-video.
Gifting cake mixes in a jar
Remember too, that a layered cake or cookie mix in a glass jar also makes a great gift. You simply layer up the dry ingredients, add a hand-written label with instructions and a pretty fabric topper and ribbon to complete the gift. A cake with coloured Smarties or marshmallows could be a fun treat for a child.
Stock up on what you need
From glass jars, jam jars (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/jars/jam-jars/popular-jam-jars/) through to glass diffuser bottles, Wares of Knutsford has all the glassware you need for a busy kitchen and a beautiful, eco-friendly and affordable home. Glass is recyclable, inexpensive and beautiful, and it can be used for a huge range of things. Enjoy our low prices, great ranges and superb customer service at Wares of Knutsford today. Please do share your creative creations on social media and tag us in, and sign up to our newsletter too for the latest news, promotions and special offers (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/special-offers/) at Wares!