Mason Jar Cupcakes

I wanted to make an easy and inexpensive gift for
all of the amazing people that I love at Christmas time! 

Thankfully I had just enough left over jars from the last time I made them.

I have found that this particular size works best.

They are the exact same diameter as my standard cupcake pan.

Each one fits two cupcakes and plenty of frosting.

I mixed the cake while Janey assisted.

Usually when I make cupcakes I like to use paper liners and only make 18 per box because bigger cupcakes are better, right?

But for the mason jars, I skip the liners (then I don't have to take them off and there
are no ridges showing in the jars), nd I spray the cupcake pans with Pam.

I also make 24 cupcakes which work perfectly for the dozen jars that I am using, as well as the size that fits best inside.

While the cupcakes were baking I made the frosting.

I am an admitted frosting snob and can't resist a good buttercream.
But for these I needed something special. I had no chocolate in the house,
(It has been recently devoured by post-Lent-sugar-deprived yours truly)
so I grabbed my iced blended powder and dissolved one scoop into the milk before mixing.

This happy accident might just be my new favorite version.

Butter Cream Icing

1 box powdered sugar
1 stick salted butter at room temp.
1/4 cup milk
1 tea. vanilla

Combine and beat until creamy.

Now you have no excuse to by frosting at the store again!

When the cupcakes have cooled, place one with the bottom side down, into each jar.

I have found it easiest to put the frosting in a ziploc bag,  snip a hole and pipe it into the jars.

Put another cupcake on top of the first layer of frosting, add even more frosting,
screw on the lid.

In my mind I wanted to use oilcloth for the toppers like these, but that would require me actually having it.

Instead I cut 5 inch squares of cupcake fabric, ironed Heat 'n Bond to each one to make them sturdier, used my pinking shears to add cuteness, cut notches, wove ribbon through, tied bows, done for only about $1.50 each.

Read more: http://www.joyshope.com/2009/04/mason-jar-cupcakes.html#ixzz0vTrPEqX5