Easter Cake In A Jar always seems to appear right when spring gatherings start to feel a little hectic. This year, it began in my kitchen on a quiet afternoon before Easter weekend, with jars lined up like empty canvases and food coloring bottles scattered across the counter.
A friend stopped by to drop off Easter grass for the kids’ baskets and stayed long enough to help divide cake batter into bowls, each one turning a different pastel shade. Later, my niece wandered in after school and immediately claimed purple as her favorite, insisting it had to go on the bottom of every jar.
As the cupcakes baked, the kitchen filled with that soft vanilla aroma that signals something cheerful is on the way. The real fun started once everything cooled and the crumbling began.
Bowls of pink, yellow, teal, and purple cake sat side by side, and the jars slowly filled with layers that felt almost too pretty to eat. The frosting slipped neatly between colors, pressing gently against the glass so each stripe stayed visible from the outside.
Easter Cake In A Jar fits perfectly into moments like this. It’s playful without being complicated, easy to transport, and feels personal when handed to someone with a ribbon tied around the lid. Every jar looks slightly different, which somehow makes them even better.
Short Description
Easter Cake In A Jar is a layered dessert made with colorful vanilla cake, creamy frosting, and festive Easter toppings, all assembled in individual jars for easy serving and gifting.
Key Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix, prepared according to package directions
- 1 can white frosting
- Food coloring in pink, yellow, teal, and purple
- Edible Easter grass
- Jelly bean Easter eggs
- Optional Easter sprinkles
- 4 jars, 4 to 6 oz size
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Cupcake pan
- Cupcake liners
- Cooling rack
- Spoon or small scoop
- Plastic sandwich bag for frosting
- Scissors
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Color and Bake the Cake
Prepare the cake batter according to package directions. Divide evenly into four bowls and tint each with a different food coloring. Scoop batter into cupcake tins, making four cupcakes of each color.
Bake according to package instructions until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Crumble the Cake
Once cooled, remove cupcakes from liners and crumble each color into separate bowls. Keep the colors distinct for clean layering later.
Step 3: Prepare the Frosting
Transfer the white frosting into a plastic bag and snip off one corner to create a simple piping bag.
Step 4: Assemble the Jars
Add a small scoop of purple cake to the bottom of each jar. Pipe a thin layer of frosting over the cake, making sure it touches the glass. Add another color of cake followed by frosting.
Repeat with the remaining colors, finishing with frosting at the top edge of the jar so layers are clearly visible.
Step 5: Decorate and Finish
Top each jar with edible Easter grass and a few jelly bean eggs to resemble a nest. Alternatively, sprinkle with Easter sprinkles. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Individually portioned and easy to serve
Fun and colorful presentation
No special baking skills required
Perfect for gifting or parties
Kid friendly and interactive to assemble
Easy to customize with flavors and colors
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Warm cake crumbling poorly
Cake can become gummy if warm.
Solution: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before crumbling.
Layers not showing clearly
Frosting may pull away from the glass.
Solution: Pipe frosting so it touches the sides of the jar.
Overfilling the jars
This can make lids messy or hard to close.
Solution: Leave a small gap at the top for decorations.
Colors blending together
Rough handling can smear layers.
Solution: Add layers gently and avoid pressing too hard.
Dry cake texture
Too little frosting can make jars dry.
Solution: Keep frosting layers thin but consistent.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve chilled or at room temperature
Pair with coffee, milk, or herbal tea
Display on a dessert table for Easter brunch
Tie with ribbon for party favors
Serve as a light dessert after Easter dinner
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store jars covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days
Bring to room temperature before serving
Keep toppings separate if storing longer
Do not freeze assembled jars
Best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade cake instead of a mix?
Yes, any vanilla or white cake recipe works well.
2. How far ahead can I make these?
They can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance.
3. Can I use different frosting flavors?
Yes, cream cheese or vanilla buttercream both work nicely.
4. Are plastic jars okay to use?
Yes, as long as they are food safe and clear.
5. Can I make fewer colors?
Absolutely. Two or three colors still look festive.
Tips & Tricks
Use gel food coloring for brighter pastel shades
Crumble cake finely for clean layers
Wipe jar rims before decorating
Chill jars briefly before serving for neat presentation
Let kids build their own jars for a fun activity
Recipe Variations
Chocolate Easter Cake Jars
Use chocolate cake mix and pair with vanilla frosting. Add chocolate eggs on top.
Lemon Spring Cake Jars
Use lemon cake and vanilla frosting, topped with yellow candy eggs.
Strawberry Shortcake Style
Replace frosting with whipped cream and add fresh strawberries between layers.
Confetti Cake Jars
Use confetti cake mix and simple vanilla frosting for a colorful twist.
Gluten Free Option
Use a gluten free white cake mix and follow the same assembly steps.
Final Thoughts
Easter Cake In A Jar brings together color, simplicity, and a little creativity in one small package. From mixing the batter to layering the jars, each step feels lighthearted and flexible, which suits the season perfectly. These jars invite conversation and curiosity before anyone even takes a bite.
Once the lids come off and spoons dip in, the layers disappear faster than expected. They feel thoughtful without being fussy, festive without being overwhelming. For busy holidays or casual spring gatherings, this dessert earns its place every time, quietly turning simple ingredients into something worth sharing.
Easter Cake In A Jar
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix prepared according to package directions
- 1 can white frosting
- Food coloring in pink yellow, teal, and purple
- Edible Easter grass
- Jelly bean Easter eggs
- Optional Easter sprinkles
- 4 jars 4 to 6 oz size
Instructions
- Divide cake batter into four bowls, color each, bake cupcakes by package directions, and let cool completely.
- Crumble cooled cupcakes into separate bowls, keeping each color apart.
- Place white frosting into a plastic bag and snip the corner to use as a piping bag.
- Layer colored cake and frosting into jars, pressing frosting to the glass and finishing with frosting on top.
- Decorate with edible Easter grass, jelly bean eggs, or sprinkles, then serve or chill until ready.
