Applesauce Cake Baked in a Jar

Yes, cakes and quick breads baked in a jar. You did read the title correctly. These cakes are baked in a hot oven right in the sterilized jars. 

Then sealed in the jars by the heat in the oven from baking. When you are ready to serve the cake/bread just open the jar and the bread will slide right out. 

A properly sealed quick bread will stay safe for up to 3 months some say longer. It sure is hard to wait that long to pop that jar open and eat that wonderful bread. 

These makes such a pretty gifts . I have heard of dry mixes in a jar but never cakes or breads baked in a jar. So imagine my surprise when I heard about this technique a few years back.

 I can honestly say I have made these cakes a couple times around the holidays and everyone is always pleased and a bit surprised.

No one really believes that the cakes will come back out, but they do. Just do not use a jar with a neck on it or it wont come out. 

I have personally made the applesauce cake, pumpkin bread and banana bread using this method all the recipes have turned out fantastic. 

To make these breads you will need to use the Pint Size Wide Mouth Jars with no necks. (very important). 

Sterilize jars in boiling water for 15 minutes, remove and allow to air dry. Place your lids and rings in hot water until you are ready to seal your jars. 

Now your ready to get started on your recipe. While your cakes are baking add the lids and rings to a bowl of hot water so they will be at hands reach when ready to seal the jars. 

This is really a quick and easy process and will be over before you know it. You will wonder why you haven't tried this sooner. If you want to wow someone this is the perfect gift.

To start prepare one of the following recipes of your choice.

Grease pint size jars really good. I use a pastry brush to make sure to get all the little spots at the bottom. Do not use baking spray. Some people have tried this with success, but I have only done as the recipe stated and used shortening. (do not flour jar just grease)

Pour batter half way into the jar,

Just like this!!! I know it doesn't look like much but, it will rise.

I usually place all my jars on a cookie sheet and then place them in the oven. This particular day I prepared just one to show everyone this really does work. Usually a full recipe will yield at least 7-9 jars depending on your recipe.

bake and remove from oven. Don't be alarmed if the cake rises higher then the rim of the jars. When removed from the oven they will shrink down. quickly wipe the rims of the jar to remove any batter or crumbs.



take out one of the lids from the bowl of hot water and dry with a dishcloth. Place the lid on the hot jar,

then dry the ring and place that on the jar.

as the cakes cools the jars will seal. They usually seal pretty quick after adding the lids and rings. You will start to hear a ping and another and another. Then they are sealed.


after the cakes have cooled and the jars are sealed, decorate with some pretty fabric rounds, ribbon and a pretty tag

See how the cake moves in the jar. When opened it will slide right out.

Just like this, slice and eat. I dusted mine with a bit of powdered sugar.

I have also used my banana bread recipe and baked it the jars as well. There are so many recipes that can be baked in jars. Chocolate Cake, Pumpkin Bread and more. Just remember to only fill the jars half full with what ever batter you choose. I have also added a Pumpkin Bread recipe below that can be used.

Applesauce Cake Baked in a Jar

 

2/3 - cup shortening
4 - eggs
2/3 -  cup water
1/2 - teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 - teaspoon salt
1 - teaspoon ground cloves
2 2/3 - cups sugar
2 - cups applesauce (16oz Jar)
3 1/3 - cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 - teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 - cup nuts or raisins

Cream together shortening and sugar, beat in eggs one at a time. Add applesauce and water. Sift flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices. 

Add to mixture and stir in nuts. Pour into well greased (Pint Size Jars with no necks) I use a pasty brush to add the shortening in the jars. (do not use baking spray) 

Make sure you grease them really well. Fill jars half full with batter. Place jars on a baking sheet and bake for 325 for 45 minutes. 

Don't be alarmed if the cake rises above the rim of the jar it will go down when removed from the oven. 

When the cakes are done remove from the oven. Wipe rims clean. while still hot add a lid and then screw on the jar ring. 

The jar will seal as it cools down. Store in cupboard. Recipe yields 9 pint size jars.

Wrap a pretty fabric and ribbon around the jars and a tag and they are ready to give as gifts.

When the recipient opens the jars the cake will slide right out.

Pumpkin Cake Baked in a Jar

2 2/3 - cup sugar
3 1/2 - cup all purpose flour
2/3 - cup shortening
4 - eggs
2/3 - cup buttermilk
2 - cups canned pumpkin (15oz can)
1 tsp baking powder
2 - tsp soda
1 - tsp salt
1-1/2 - tsp pumpkin-pie spice
2/3 - cup chopped nuts

Cream sugar, shortening, then add eggs, mix. Add buttermilk, mix. 

Add pumpkin, mix. Add dry ingredients, stir in nuts. 

Place 1 cup batter into 7 well-greased 1 pint wide-mouth jars. Wipe batter from rim. 

Put jars on baking sheet and bake @ 325 for 55 min, till toothpick comes out clean. 

Wipe rims, put hot seals & rings on hot jars. 

Will last several months without refrigeration.

For more recipes for cakes baked in a jar click on the link below.
http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/BakedJar.htm