Baking in the jar is not for me, that's a whole different thing. For my purposes, I don't need them to last indefinately, just a cute and delicious way to send yummy cupcakes in the mail. I steralize the jars and lids first in a hot water bath like you are supposed to, then when they are dry I layer away, they come out so cute. I do send them to deployed locations that aren't too hot and so long as they get there in 5-7 days they are still fresh and delicious. So it's just a cupcake/layered little cake in a jar for presentation and easy shipping for me. I am going to look at those bakeable fillings though, sounds interesting

rikkijo314: I have a foodsaver, does the mason jar attachment work on regular mason jars or do you need special lids?

blue123: I bake Jumbo cupcakes in Jumbo liners in a Jumbo pan (enough Jumbo for you, lol) then I take them out of the papers, slice them and layer them in the jars with the fillings/buttercream, the Jumbo CC fill the jars perfectly!

anxietyattack: yes they freeze well, don't know a max time to tell you, because they have never lasted that long in my house, but the longest has been about 3-4 weeks and so long as we let them defrost to room temp before eating they were still really good

andpotts: the sealer attachment works on regular lids. If you go to the food saver website they have them for regular mouth and wide mouth. I wouldn't plan on keeping these forever either but for some reason it seems like it would add a little something if you can hear the seal pop when you open up one of these cupcakes

After reading that post on baking in the jars (and googling it too) looks like andpotts you've got the best idea!!! Sometimes saving a step isn't always the best way.
Just wondering, which recipe of buttercream do you use?
Also, a question on the sealer, would that dry out the cake? I've never used one before, so a little clueless.

hubby's deploying soon, definitly have to try this. Thanks!!

7yyrt, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR POST!!! For everybody else, please disregard what I said in my post. I had no idea this was so dangerous and I must admit my idea about cooking and storing these cakes in the jars was idle speculation on my part. That'll teach me to post things I haven't thought through yet or researched adequately. I've just done a regular amount of canning of fruits and vegetables and it occurred to me to use the same technique. After reading 7yyrt's post, all I can say is DON'T DO IT and I'M VERY SORRY FOR HAVING SUGGESTED IT.

Don't feel too bad, Marianna;
Many, many posts around the internet suggest it's a good thing...
Please, pass the information along whenever you see a post saying to store them long term.

andpotts- I use the sealers for EVERYTHING. I love giving gifts in jars and it just makes it better if they are sealed. I have tons of regular food storage- meat, potatoes, etc. But lately I have been adding chocolate chips and things that I really want to have around in an emergency!

Marianna

For sure don't feel bad, I didn't even know all of that stuff, I just didn't like the idea of baking in the jar just because I don't think it looks nice, lol It's a really good thing you brought it up because now it got important info out there! I learn something just about every time I am here

I know what you mean, andpotts, this is a great place. And thanks to you and 7yyrt for the consolation. It's certainly good to know these things. It's funny, I just saw on TV the other day that you can't put fresh garlic in olive oil for long term storage, either, and for the very same reason: there isn't enough acid to prevent the spread of some really dangerous germs. Of course, it pays to be really careful, and it's even better to be armed with a lot of information, so thanks for the heads-up!

I am so glad I found this thread again! My hubs is deploying and I want to be able to send him goodies! I am not sure how long the shipping will take though, I guess I will have to wait and see. Do you think a store bought BC (Duff or bleh Wilton anything like that) would last longer in these then a homemade? Or could they both spoil just as easily?

I woder if you could pour chocolate on top of the iced cake to seal it better?
JAT

I pre-baked the WASC recipe, layered in mason jars with sugarschacks icing along with candies, put the lids and rings on the jars, packed in tupperware container.... should've only taken a week to get to the deployment destination, but my friend sent me the wrong zip code, took 3 weeks to get to her.... they still ate them and they said they tasted great! (contacted her later and no, no one got sick!)

I have never heard of this. Going onto my "must try" list for sure!

LadyKinster- Good to know! Haha, I think that him getting rotten cupcakes would be worse then not getting any at all! :]

7yyrt- What would be considered long term storage? I just sent some cakes in a jar to my husband in Afghanistan (along with some buttercream in vacuumed sealed bags). I'm not sure how long it will take to arrive there. I think roughly 2 weeks. Is that considered long term? Just curious, as I would hate to think of making him sick.

Long term storage is months or years.
Yes; I have heard people recommend making them in the Spring, putting them in with the canning jars, and eating them in the Winter.
(Now fruitcake, made and stored correctly will last years.)
-
I don't think it would shorten the life of them, unless they sweat in the jars?

That's what I was thinking if they sweat they'll probably go bad faster... let us know how it turns out Debbie!

So if they arrive in 2-3 weeks, and they eat them right away, it should be safe??? I'm kind of worried now, and bummed being that I was so excited when I sent the jars out. I will definitely let you know how well they travel. Maybe I should wait until the weather turns cooler to send more? Then again, by then, they'll be returning home!

andpotts~ first off, sending you strength to get through the deployment time. I got through my sons by baking and sending packages to him. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

I sent cakes in a jar and also sent canned frosting so they could apply their
own. I started this with my sons birthday and sent almost enough for his whole troop. They remained fresh and unlike the MRE's, they were delicious and well received.

Best of luck to your soldier and hope he's home soon and safe.

I made a bunch of these last year, and sold at our craft fair. They went like lightening. The only thing I had trouble with was wondering what to charge for them. Any ideas ?

OOH, yes, please share how to can the frosting. I vacuumed sealed in those special bags, but didn't care for how they looked. I guess I'm picky about appearances. Especially when it's chocolate frosting. My daughter said it looked like poop in a bag.

My guess is that when she said "canned frosting" she was referring to store bought canned frosting. Correct me if I am wrong!

ptanyer,
Maybe you could just buy/send frosting to your father with the cakes, and instruct him to refrigerate (or freeze) the unused portion. Then he can use it as he needs it.
Or you could bring him a batch of frosting, divided into smaller containers, when you pick up the jars.

cindy~ thanks for clearing that up for everyone! Yes, I meant BUYING canned frosting. Since they come in those little plastic tubs, they were perfect for sending. I don't care for the flavor, but my son said some of the guys just took spoonfulls of the frosting and ate it first!
Sorry for the confusion.

Vicky- I've seen others send the canned frosting too, I'm sure the troops are loving it!! :]]

Do you think the duff BC or others like it would last as long as the Betty Crocker/DH/PB canned icing?

The only thing that makes me feel better about DH's deployment is that I'll be able to send him cakes and such! A little taste of home!

If Duff's buttercream is as good as his fondant, it'll be a real pleaser. Just don't send too many sweets and candy. Send misc. things as well. I sent silly things like paddle ball sets; mini pool table and the time that I sent 150 pairs of Croc's was crazy! I got a local store to match me in it so I could send all of them. My son said when they had their down time, the greatest feeling was taking their boots off and putting those on. Goofy looking, but still protected their feet. My Food Saver was a blessing. Candy is given to the local children. But understand that they may not be able to eat all the baked goods as soon as they receive it due to patrolling, missions, etc. So that's why the food saver was the best for freshness.
As far as which frosting is best....don't know. It never lasted!