::::::::Thwacking self on head::::::::for not saving the message I sent to Cat.....didn't realize y'all would want it...so typing it out again....LOL Just do not store it like canned food. USE RIGHT AWAY
BASIC Cake in a Jar
Makes 6 to 7 cakes
2 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour'
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and mix well. Ad water and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Pour one cup batteri n each pint jar. (use the straight sided, wide mouth type) Bake at 325 for 55 to 60 minutes. (When you bake them put the jars on a baking sheet, make sure they don't touch each other. I put mine on a heavy broiler pan so I can lift them all out of the oven at once easily.) Be sure that you don't drip batter onto the top of the jars, if you do, wipe it. I use the canning funnel to avoid this. DO NOT SEAL THE JARS. Cool, cut up, put on platters. Or, store in the fridge. You can use those plastic canning jar lids to keep them fresh once they are cooled. These are not airtight. And, you could give these as a gift that way, but make sure people know to eat the cake right away.
Chocolate Amaretto variation:
Omit water and vanilla from basic recipe.
Add:
1/2 cup almond flavored liqueur
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped almonds
Mix and bake same as basic cake mix
Rum Raisin variation:
Omit water and add 1/2 cup dark rum
1 cup raisins
Mix and bake same as basic cake
Orange or Lemon Poppy seed variation:
Omit water and add
1/2 cup of orange OR lemon juice
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup poppy seeds
1 Tablespoon of grated orange OR lemon peel
Mix and bake same as basic mix...
And the Banana nut version:
To the basic recipe add:
2 cups mashed bananas
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup chopped pecans
mix and bake as above...
Also, for a nice polka dot cake, add cup of the mini M&Ms candies to the basic mix.
These recipes are from an old book called "Jazzy Jars" Glorious gift ideas by Marie Browning. It came out before the canning guidelines were updated.
I have edited this to take out references to sealing the jars with canning lids while they are hot. THIS SHOULD NOT BE DONE.