I'm thinking of using a wide--mouthed Ball canning jar to bake a cake (it's the size/shape I'm looking for). Anyone know if that's possible? Was thinking they would withstand the heat of boiling water but perhaps dry heat is a bit different?

Yes you can! search cakes in a jar for details... I know a few years back, there was sorta a craze where you could get at craft fairs, cakes in a jar- they'd even have a type of icing on them- Then you boil the canning lids and seal them! It was a neat idea-

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cake-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx
hth

Wow - I had no idea! *chuckle* that is too cool! thanks so much for the info, all! Much appreciated!

that is the coolest gift idea! did you see the link in the top left where you can "mug" the gift too?

thanks for this find...i'm excited to try this!

I can my banana nut and zuccini breads in my jars. You just fill the jar about 2/3 full and bake like normal then as soon as they come out of the oven put the lids on. The only problem I would forsee is that it is very difficult to remove the bread in one piece even with the wide mouth jars. Cake might be easier to remove i would only let it cool about 10 minutes.

HTH Val

Since it's sealed hot out of the oven, does the cake get gooey from being sealed like???

I've had cake in a jar before and they are wonderful. The cake stays so moist. I was told you just eat it out of the jar instead of trying to remove it.

I too am thinking about holiday gifts and you get 8 of a regular box mix! I think that's pretty good K'ly

I think I'd like to try doing that. If the stores aren't sold out of those special jars by now!!

This is such a cool idea! Kinda reminds me of the cake dry mixes I used to put in jars as gifts. Also used to use cookie and brownie mixes.

Hey think we can bake brownies in these?
Wouldn't the cake stick to the jar? Need greased?

http://members.nuvox.net/~zt.proicer/recipes/jarcakes.htm

This link has a brownie recipe along with many others but at the very end it has information on sealing and how long the cakes will keep in the jars. I thought it might answer some of your questions.

Thanks for listing the website, there's alot of information on it!

Thank you so much for posting the link's!
This sounds like a fantastic and fun idea for gift's and for having on hand for my family. I am going to town tomorrow and will be looking for the straight sided jars. Hope to find some before they are gone.

Jenlg: If you read the recipe's to the link it does state to grease the inside of jar really well with pastry brush before adding batter.

Thank's again

Ooooooooh, BROWNIES in the jar! Now that's even better! hehehe... ok, this is what my neighbors can expect this year. Might have to do a couple for myself at the same time

Thanks so much for posting this! I always give homemade treats as Christmas gifts to my kids teachers, but that time of year seems to get crazier every year! This will let me be able to do it a couple weeks early, and sounds simple and fun! Thanks!

Christie

I think I'm going to test it out early - as in, this weekend I think the weather is supposed to be cooler (fall has arrived) - what a better time for a test drive!?

I was browsing through magazines at Books A Million and Paula Dean's Christmas magazine has the cake in a jar. Big Lots and Walmart still had jars.