Thursday, February 9, 2012

cupcake in a jar- a perfect valentine gift

The grandmas got together to make cupcakes in a jar. I thought it sounded quite clever and besides I have so many canning jars that I have collected over the years. I'm not doing much canning these days so why not cupcakes in a jar. Some of the reviews were quite negative...why bother...whats wrong with a cupcake liner.....who wants to take the time to go to all that trouble.
It was no trouble and in fact it was quite easy. A great idea for a valentines gift for someone you love.
There are several web sites you can go to to get all kinds of inspirations. Martha Stewart even has a cheese cake in a jar. It was my favorite.
For a cupcake in jar you will need one cake mix prepared according to directions. Icing of your choice and a canning jar. You can bake the cupcake in the jar in the oven which takes about 45 minutes at 350 or you can pop it into the microwave for 2 mins. The microwave version helps to retain the color of the cake mix and still remains moist and delicious. I prefer this method.
After the cupcake cools slightly scoop out about half of the cake. Spread icing inside the jar on top of the cake and then add the scooped out cake back in. Spread again with icing and then decorate.
This cupcake has a layer of nutella and a layer of cheese cake frosting over red velvet cake.
Attach a spoon to the side and cover with cellophane. Add a bow and you have a sweet treat for a friend.
Cupcakes can actually be mailed if they arrive in 3 days.

To make a cheese cake in a jar you need :
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temp
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temp
  • 4 oz. sour cream, room temp
  • 1 tbl lemon juice fresh
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup preserves
  •  graham topping- 4 graham crackers ground and 1 1/2 tbl. butter melted
Preheat oven to 325. Beat cream cheese til smooth,add sugar. Beat on high for 3mins.
add one egg at a time on low speed. Add sour cream, lemon juice, and salt. Beat for 3 mins.
Divide batter in 6- 6oz jars. Put jars in deep baking dish and add boiling water to the baking dish about half way up the jar. Put a piece of aluminum foil with 8 slits on top over jars and baking dish.
Bake for 25 mins or until center is set. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight to set.
Stir grahams and butter together and spread on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Cook at 325 for 10mins and let cool.
Top each cheesecake with a little more than a tbl of preserves, then graham topping. Can be refrigerated up to 4 days.

 My grandma friend "YaYa" tried making a pie in a jar. Ya Ya is an expert pie maker and suggested not to waste your time making it in a jar. Reasons why....manipulating the dough too much makes for a tough crust and not much room for the filling which makes it a crusty pie. Thanks Ya Ya for saving thousands of "ya ya's" from "pie in a jar" frustration!

All in all cupcakes in a jar are a fun way to give a unique gift to someone you love. Hey your kids and grandkids can help make them too!