Whiskey Cake in the Jar-O!

Have you tried this yet?  I’m not sure what took me so long to jump on the cake-in-a-jar bandwagon, but I’m fully on board now.  I guess I was a little skeptical that it would work, but it does!

I can see how convenient these portable cakes would be to take to parties and get-togethers.  When my parents stopped by for a sample to-go, there was no looking for tupperware or fiddling with plastic wrap, I just handed them each a lidded jar of cake and that was that.

This cake has long been planned for a St. Paddy’s day post, and after reading the recipe in full, I felt that it was a perfect candidate to “jar”.  It is so very moist, and it has a butter-whiskey sauce that gets poured over the cakes after baking.  If the jar method isn’t exactly your thing, then
make it the way it was originally intended – in a bundt pan (instructions w/recipe).

Everyone loved this cake.  Mr. Baird, who has never spared my feelings when it comes to my food endeavors said it was “perfect”!  

Occasionally, I do a little canning, so my jar funnel came in handy during this project.  I used both 8 oz. and 12 oz. canning jars.  I like that the 12 oz. jars have more room for icing, but the 8 oz. jars are my favorite, especially for this cake.  This cake does not need an overly sweet icing, so I topped it with whipped cream instead.

Poke holes in the baked cakes with a skewer and pour in the butter whiskey sauce.  

Note: I used the jars for presentation purposes only.  The cakes are not meant for long-term storage, but apparently,  it can be done with other recipes.

Irish Whiskey Cake

Serves 10                                                                                                              [click to print]

This cake can be made in 10 – 8 oz. or 12 oz. glass canning jars  -or- a 10″ bundt pan, greased and lightly floured.

Cake:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups strongly brewed coffee

1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp. Irish whiskey

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups sugar

2 eggs1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl; set aside.

In a medium saucepan, add coffee, whiskey, butter, cinnamon, and cocoa powder.  Place over moderate heat and whisk until butter has melted.  Remove from heat and add the sugar.  Whisk until incorporated.  Pour mixture into a large bowl and let cool slightly. 

Whisk together eggs and vanilla extract and gradually pour into chocolate mixture.  Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.  Mixture will be very thin.

Place canning jars on a cookie sheet or roasting pan and pour batter in each by the level 1/2 cups full; OR pour batter into a greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake for 45-55 minutes (for both jars and bundt pan). 

Whiskey-Butter Sauce:

1/4 cup Irish whiskey

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup water

Prepared whipped cream (for jar cakes)

When the cake(s) are almost ready to come out of the oven, begin to make the sauce.

Combine all ingredients (except whipped cream)  in a small saucepan, and cook very gently over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.  Remove from heat.

When cake(s) are done, let them cool for 10 minutes.  With a skewer, poke holes in the jarred cakes and pour a little sauce into each cake -dividing it evenly until it has all been used.  Top with prepared whipped cream.

If making a bundt cake, turn the cake out and place it upside down (as it baked in the oven). Poke holes all over the surface and VERY SLOWLY drizzle sauce over the cake until it has completely absorbed all of the sauce.  Wrap in foil and let cool completely.  Store in an air-tight container.

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Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
13 years ago

OH my gosh. I think I love you even more now.

Rhea
Rhea
13 years ago

The longer I subscribe to your blog, the more I hate you. 🙂 LOL This looks SO yummy and so clever. I love cakes in jars! Definitely trying this one.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I love this idea! I bet this tastes amazing! Drool…

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

What other option might you suggest as a frosting for jar cakes? I don't think whipped cream will travel well for shipping.:…

The Blue-Eyed Bakers
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
13 years ago

Um hi adorable?! Where have we been for this whole cake in a jar business?! This stuff looks amazing…and er whiskey butter sauce? Yeah, we're fans of that!

Heather
Heather
13 years ago

What a great post! I wondered if other cakes can be made in a jar? I usually do Bailey's Irish Cream cake each year and what fun it would be to do in the jar this year? Any suggestions?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Right you are Anonymous!

Vanilla Swiss buttercream is not terribly sweet and would work well on this cake. I don't have a plain recipe on my site, but Smitten Kitchen has a recipe in three serving sizes.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/project-wedding-cake-swiss-buttercream/

If you use the 12 oz. jars, you'd probably need to make the 9" cake size recipe (and you'd almost certainly have icing left-overs). The 8 oz. jars hold very little icing, and you could probably get away with the 4" cake size.

Thanks for your question!

Beth(anonymous above)
Beth(anonymous above)
13 years ago

I love making "cupcakes in a jar"! I typically make them for friends and family that I want to share with, but they live far away….There has only been a few of my cupcakes that didn't work out so well in the jars, normally because of the frosting not being able to travel from texas to illinois…..

This is why I'm looking for suggestions on a different frosting for this one that can travel…

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi MagaliesGarden!

Most any cake batter could be baked in a jar. I would put no more than 1/2 cup of batter in each jar though – or else it will run over. And they would need to bake at a decreased temperature.

I'd say any standard cake batter could be used and baked at 325 for 45 minutes. I'd suggest keeping a close eye on them, just so they don't over-bake.

Hope this helps!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi again Beth,

Unfortunately anything with butter or shortening in it has the opportunity to break down-especially in heat.

Let me look around and see if I can find something more stable. I'll post it here in the comments if I happen upon something perfect.

emily @ the happy home
emily @ the happy home
13 years ago

why, hello! another thing to add to my boozy baking spree of late.

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
13 years ago

You know…since it's in a jar that makes it portable…and I can think Of a good taste tester out here in Colorado! 😉

Lili
Lili
13 years ago

Oh my word, I just can't get over how perfect your baking, presentation and photography are. I really have not even seen the cake-in-a-jar idea before either. But I have a fresh pack of canning jars, so I just may have to try this out. Those green sprinkles and striped green twine are just so delightful looking! xo ~Lili

Nifty1
Nifty1
13 years ago

I have been contemplating baking a cake-in-a-jar for sometime now but was somehow unclear on the concept. For some reason, I saw your post here and it finally clicked!

Thanks for the aha moment of inspiration!

Kathryn
Kathryn
13 years ago

You most likely would have posted this, but do you do a bain-marie with those jars in the pan, or just stick the jars in the pan? Sincerely, Kathryn

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi Kathryn,
I didn't do a bain-marie. Some family members asked me the same question, because it seems like maybe you would need that. I just spaced them evenly on a pan. They do bake very slowly… mine took 55 minutes and I was almost sure they'd be dry and inedible, but they were perfect – even without the sauce.

I was very surprised- pleasantly surprised!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
13 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous! Those are to die for.

Cheers,

Rosa

snippets of thyme
snippets of thyme
13 years ago

How fun! How adorable! How unique! How creative! How, How, How! 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

These look ridiculously yummy. I'm definitely making them VERY soon.

linda
linda
13 years ago

thank you heather… on many levels!
i so enjoy your posts & this one is no exception…you take "cake in a jar" to a new level!
& i love all these comments & replies…as i find them interesting & i learn.

Paula
Paula
13 years ago

The first thing I saw baked in a jar (4oz) were pies and I thought they were the cutest little things. Your cakes look amazing and the fact that you can gift them this way is perfect. Great sounding recipe too. Thanks for posting.

MJ
MJ
13 years ago

Beautiful! But could you please clarify (1/4 plus 3tbsp. Irish whiskey) in the ingredient list for the cake? Is this 1/4 cup? Thanks!

Nam @ The Culinary Chronicles
Nam @ The Culinary Chronicles
13 years ago

This is just adorable and functional! Win-Win Pastry!

We Are Not Martha
We Are Not Martha
13 years ago

Perfect St. Patty's Day recipe!! If only I had time before the big day to make these… I might have to find it!! They look amazing!

Sues

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

Heather, I love the jar desserts so much, but have never made any:( It's time for me to join you on the bandwagon:)

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi MJ!

Yes, it is 1/4 cup. Thanks for catching my mistake!! It has been changed on the recipe.

NiamhG
NiamhG
13 years ago

That is absolutely fantastic. Have to try that today. I'm on our market stall on St. Patrick's Day Balbriggan (north county Dublin, Ireland) and I'm going to have to bring one of these along. Wow, knew I was collecting all those jam jars for a reason. The many bottles of Jameson in the cabinet is a different story. Thanks Heather.

Rituparna
Rituparna
13 years ago

Oh ! I just love this cake. And my oven is still not working 🙁

Amanda
Amanda
13 years ago

This looks so delicious!!! Do you think using a 9.5" bundt pan makes any difference?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi Amanda!
You should be fine with a 9.5 bundt pan. The cake may have to bake for a full hour, but just keep an eye on it. It's done when a toothpick/skewer comes out clean – or with very few crumbs sticking to it.

Amanda
Amanda
13 years ago

Thanks!

Citygirl
Citygirl
13 years ago

I'm wondering if I can substitute Bailey's for the whiskey as I have the Bailey's on hand.

anna
anna
13 years ago

Ooh this is brilliant, especially with the gooey sauce. I need some jars…I'm doing pies in jars as part of my BFF's wedding spread, shame I'm already committed to cupcakes for the rest or else I'd just stuff everything in jars 😉

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi Citygirl,

I think the cake texture would be a little different (slightly more dense?), and your baking time might be decreased a little(? not 100% on that – you'd need to keep an eye on it while it bakes). But holy cow, I bet the flavor would be out of this world!

Let me know if you try it!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Anna- I'm trying pies next! Best of luck with the wedding!

Simones Kitchen
Simones Kitchen
13 years ago

I love baking cakes in jars! I just think it looks so incredibly pretty and then your jars are pretty too! I sometimes hesitate not knowing if the jar (or cup or other item I pick) for baking in will hold in the heat of the oven, but so far so good! This looks delicious and that sauce that goes in… mmm

Rebecca Troelstra
Rebecca Troelstra
13 years ago

I love this idea! I own a catering company in Vancouver, BC and I'm always looking for original ways to serve desserts. I recently saw a pie in a jar… I guess it's a trend now!

http://www.mizuna.ca

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I love baking in jars! And this is a fantastic St. Patty's day recipe 🙂 I love sneaking alcohol into baked goods!

marla
marla
13 years ago

Heather, this is really the only way I would ever want to have whiskey. Soooo fun girl. I must try baking in a jar asap. Glad to hear your hubs was kind on this one 😉

bunkycooks
bunkycooks
13 years ago

This is a very cool dessert…love the jars. Will definitely have to try this one for St. Patty's.

Darla @ Bakingdom
Darla @ Bakingdom
13 years ago

It sounds cheesy, but I mean it when I say that this post had me drooling! This looks incredible…and that photo where you're pouring the sauce? I died. Can't wait to make this! Thanks!

mitzi @ my nikon eats food
mitzi @ my nikon eats food
13 years ago

i need to get on this bandwagon…

Sprinzette @ Ginger and Almonds
Sprinzette @ Ginger and Almonds
13 years ago

I've just found your blog – these photos and recipe are gorgeous.

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

I would probably get drunk from that since I'm such a light weight. It looks great.

Natalie
Natalie
13 years ago

This sounds amazing! I am having a St Patricks dinner party and was thinking of making this for dessert but I have two questions for you:

1. Do you think this would work in medium sized ramekins? I don't have mason jars but i do have some ramekins that are about 3 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/2 tall…

2. Do you think i could make the cake the night before and store it? If i did this would i wait to pour the sauce on it till before the dinner?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
13 years ago

Hi Natalie! Thanks so much for asking – 1. I think they would be utterly adorable in ramekins! Of course you would have to greatly decrease the amount of batter you pour in. The cake bakes up twice as big as the batter, so you'd want to fill them no more than half full. You'd need a LOT of ramekins. If you don't have enough ramekins for all that cake batter you could bake a few in ramekins and then pour the rest of the batter in an 8×8 tray pan (or smaller, whatever size would fit the remaining batter.… Read more »

Natalie
Natalie
13 years ago

SO helpful!! Thank you so much. I will definitely share my results tomorrow!

<3

asian wedding venues
asian wedding venues
13 years ago

Whiskey cake….. quite a new and interesting stuff, I haven't listened of it really. I would surely love to give it a try, as it contains whisky, which I just cant resist. Great sharing dear

kelsey_the farmer's daughter
kelsey_the farmer's daughter
13 years ago

These are amazing! I love cake in a jar…and yours are so adorable.

beth
beth
13 years ago

I didn't get your veiled reference to the song "whiskey in the jar" so now I'm listening to the youtube version by The Dubliners. ha, so clever!

These are very yummy. I brought 10 jars to work and will dole out sparingly 🙂