Deliver cupcakes in a jar to a friend on their birthday! Such a cute and easy-to-customize gift! Make whatever cupcake flavor you'd like, layer in a jar, add a lid and deliver!
Sending a gift to a friend? Try our Birthday In a Box gift idea!
Watch Our Step By Step Video!
We first made cupcakes in a jar in 2009, and sent them to school with Dallin to give to his teachers. They were a hit! A sweet treat in a reusable jar. We made more this year and gave them out at the drive by birthay parties that we were invited to. How many drive-by parties have you been to during Covid?
Cupcakes In a Jar Flavor Combinations
The flavor combinations are endless. Here are some of our favorites!
- German Chocolate with Coconut Frosting
- Red Velvet With Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon With Vanilla Frosting
- Funfetti With Vanilla Frosting
- Carrot With Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate With Chocolate Frosting
More Easy Gift Ideas
Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cupcake Baking Tips
99% of the time I make my cakes and cupcakes from boxed mixes. I really don't notice a difference, and there are a couple of tricks to making ANY cake mix taste incredible. You don't need to do all of these--- just pick one! My go-to is tip #1. This really creates a moist cupcake.
- Add 1 cup of sour cream to the batter. Just stir it right in.
- Use whole milk instead of water.
- Substitute melted butter for the oil and double the amount.
- Add an extra egg for a richer cupcake.
You can bake the cupcakes in a greased cupcake pan without cupcake liners, but I like using liners and peeling them off after the cupcakes have cooled. It makes for a softer cupcake without a crust.
Freezing Extra Cupcakes
One package of cupcakes usually makes 24 cupcakes. Extra cupcakes can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. So make a batch, and save the rest to make these quick gifts another day!
Packaging Tips
- Tuck a plastic fork under the ribbon if or tape one on with washi tape.
- Send one in the mail! If you are already mailing out a package, slip one of these into the priority flat rate box.
- Only using 1 cupcake? Use a small jelly canning jar.
How To Assemble Cupcakes In A Jar
Cupcakes In a Jar Gift Idea
Deliver cupcakes in a jar to a friend on their birthday! Such a cute and easy-to-customize gift! Make whatever cupcake flavor you'd like, layer in a jar, add a lid and deliver!
Pin Recipe
Yield: 1 Jar
Cost: $2
Equipment
- half pint jars with lids
- ribbon
- plastic forks
Materials
- cupcakes baked and cooled
- frosting
- frosting bag with tip
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Place one cupcake in the bottom of a half pint sized jar.
- Pipe frosting over cupcake. If you don't have a frosting bag, use a ziploc plastic bag and cut the corner off.
- Add sprinkles.
- Repeat with second cupcake.
- Add a lid, and tie with ribbon.
Video
Notes
You can freeze extra cupcakes for up to 6 months.
Dianne says
Oops! Guess I have one more question...or I'd like the answer to Carol's question about a plastic alternative. At my house, if something CAN be broken, it WILL be broken. I'm not a big fan of plastic use, but in this case it would certainly be handy and wise too.
Dianne says
I love the idea but have a question for you. You mention (in the ingredients list) a 1/2 pint jar. Then in the instructions, you mention a pint-size jar. Will two cupcakes fit into the half-pint? Or do you need the full pint size for two cupcakes and icing to fit into?
Brandy says
It’s should say half-pint. I’ll go in and change it! Two cupcakes will fit into a half pint (8 oz) jar. Thanks!!
Chris says
What a fun gift idea! Thanks for sharing.
Carol says
Such a cute idea! Has anyone thought of a plastic alternative? It would be cheaper to ship and if little ones dropped it no breakage...
Keep Calm and Decorate says
I absolutely love this idea!
Shayna @ Texas Monkey says
Just wanted to let you know I featured these today on our link up so feel free to come by and grab a button and link up this week to while you're there.
http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/2010/09/all-about-you-monday-fall-decorations.html
Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says
Super cute and fun idea! Love these. I'll be featuring this tomorrow - Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks for linking up to the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a fabulous week. Stephanie Lynn
LambAround says
What a fun idea! This would be a great way to get cupcakes to a picnic. If you have a free moment, I have a new weekly (I hope!) Linky on my blog called Not “Baaad” Sundays with LambAround. I’d love for you to post this 🙂
Creative Flair says
Such a great idea. I wanted to just take a few friends to the museum for my son's birthday. Now I can just send home dessert. Yeah!!