It is that time of the year again for all the holiday baking. This year, due to health issues, I will not be baking my usual Christmas cookies, but instead will be giving little things that require no kneading, rolling out or things that would require strength that my hands just don't have this year. I will be giving Christmas baskets filled with cakes baked in a jar, fudge and tiny Amish Friendship Fruit Cakes.

My first batch of little jar cakes are all baked and ready for the jar decorations.

 I have my ingredients made for my fruit cakes and they are ready to be baked. The recipe for my little fruit cakes can be found in the main recipe index in the sourdough section although since I am late on posting this year, it is a little too late to begin and complete the process for you to give in time for Christmas. I will be posting another Fruit Cake recipe for you to use though and it is a yummy recipe.

Following is the recipe for my first batch of jar cakes. I will post pictures of my Walnut cakes as soon as I get the get the jars decorated.

Walnut Jar Cakes

3 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 c. brown sugar ( 1 1/2 c. light brown plus 1/2 c. dark brown)

2/3 c. granulated sugar

1 c. butter, softened

4 eggs

2/3 c. milk

1 c. chopped walnuts

Small amount of flour to coat your nuts

8 (1 pint) wide mouth jars (canning jars) washed and sterilized for 15 minutes in a hot water bath

Preheat oven to 350F

Into a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside.

In bowl of your electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition and mix well to combine.

Mix in your milk and vanilla. Slowly add your flour mixture. Remove bowl from mixer. Flour your nuts and fold the nuts into your batter. 

Thoroughly grease each jar with Crisco. Line your jars up on a baking sheet. To each jar add a scant one cup of your batter. Clean the tops of your jars. Should be free of all Crisco and batter.

Place baking sheet with jars into middle rack of your oven and bake for 50 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out clean. (I use spaghetti to test my cakes)

While jars are still hot place lids and rings on jars. Twist tight and wait to hear the 'pop' which means the jars have sealed.

Store in a cool place until ready to be given away. Pass on the info to the person receiving your gift that if the jars become unsealed they are to discard them.

Merry Christmas!

Susan