Has anyone ever baked a cake or cupcake in a clay pot before? Im wondering if there is anything special besides washing it and it being a new pot. I know they make those "dirt" recipes in it with the cool whip and oreo cookie crumbs. But I was wondering if anyone has tryed baking in it?

I haven't, but I've had bread baked in flower pots before and it worked fine. As long as you're using a clean unglazed terracotta pot it should work fine.

My mother-in-law gave me a little kit for my birthday last year and I made it not too long ago. It has to be a new pot as well as unglazed. The directions for the kit said to wash out the pot (just use water and a sponge, no soap) and soak it in a bowl or pan of water for 10 or 15 minutes. They then said to grease and flour the inside of the pot. If there is a hole in the bottom of the pot, cut a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to the size of the bottom of the inside of the pot. The weight of the batter should keep the paper flat in case it's curled from being on a roll. Bake it on a cookie sheet in case any batter does leak out. I don't remember what temperature (I think it might have been 350 degrees F) or for how long to bake it. Hope that helps!

I have my cupcake in the gallery. I just back my cupcakes the regular way and then place them in the little pots. Much easier I think and maybe it will give you the same affect.

Thanks for everyones help! Im going to be trying it out later today and will post the picture. I came up with the idea of doing these as favors for a babyshower. I think it would be cute with the "flower" I have in mind!! Check back later!

I baked a cake in a clay pot and it was very easy but it took ages to bake!! That was for a full size cake to make it look like a bucket but I imagine that even cupcakes would take longer to heat through the clay. I would do what the others suggest and bake elsewhere then put in a pot.

I have used clay pots to make fruit cakes many times. I've made all different sizes from little tiny ones up to about a 6 inch diameter pot.
I use unglazed washed pots...wash with warm soapy water and rinse well then leave to dry.

Brush a little oil on the inside of the pot, then line with parchment paper with a ring of paper to fit the bottom (to cover the hole). You'll find the oil helps the paper to stay in place. I make sure that the parchment paper comes up above the collar of the pot in case the mixture needs support to rise.
Another thing to watch is put the pots on a tray to cook in the oven because the oil will seep through while cooking.

I fill my fruit cakes to 3/4 full of mixture.
I leave mine in the pots to cool till warm then remove and cool on a cake rack.

Hope this helps.

I saw thyterrell's photo this morning and just searched it to make sure it's the right one. She did wonderful small pot cakes. Do check it out www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_41121.html[/url]