Cake Baked in a Mason Jar

Cakes can be baked in Mason jars.

Cakes baked in Mason jars are made by pouring cake batter into jars and baking them in the oven. These Mason jar cakes are popular to give as gifts at Christmastime.

Ingredients

Basic ingredients for a cake baked in a Mason jar include eggs, cooking oil, vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Other ingredients can be used depending on the type of cake being baked.

Preparing and Baking

Mix wet ingredients together in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix. Grease the inside of the Mason jar. Pour batter into the jar and bake in a preheated 325-degree oven. Quart jars should bake for about 50 to 60 minutes, while pint jars should bake for about 30 minutes.

Bacterial Growth

According to the University of Georgia, bacteria, such as Clostridium botulinum, can grow on cakes baked in mason jars. This bacteria can cause botulism, a fatal illness. For this reason, it is not recommended that consumers bake cakes in Mason jars.

Jar Breakage

According to Penn State, Mason jars are designed for use in hot water baths or pressure canners, not dry ovens. Use in dry ovens can result in jar breakage that is caused by thermal stresses.

Alternative to Baking

Steaming jar cakes is a safer alternative for making cakes in Mason jars. After pouring the cake batter into a jar, cover the jar and place it into rapidly boiling water for about 35 minutes.

References

• Penn State: Jar Cakes and Breads
• University of Georgia: Canning Breads and Cakes?
• Homestead Basics: Mason Jar Cake
• Family Fun: Jar Cakes