Family Kitchen

Red Velvet & Nutella Cake in a Jar

Posted by brooke mclay on April 8th, 2011 at 11:13 am

BabbleJarRedVelvet Red Velvet & Nutella Cake in a Jar

What happens when you take the classic flavor of red velvet cake, zap it in the microwave in under two minutes, then serve it layered with nutella and cream cheese frosting in a jar? I’d tell you, but since making a batch of such cakes myself, I’ve been living on a golden cloud while a shirtless Fabio feeds me grapes and escargot. Dreamy, people. That’s what this cake is.

If you can’t do dreamy tonight, no worries. You can make this cake, layer it with all that crazy-headed goodness, then twist on a canning lid and toss it in the fridge until you’re ready to have your world rocked. Now what could be better than that? I’ll ask Fabio then get back to you on that one.

BabbleJarRedVelvet2 150x150 Red Velvet & Nutella Cake in a JarRed Velvet Nutella Cake-in-a-Jar

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared according to package directions
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring
  • 1/2 cup Nutella
  • 1 jar cream cheese frosting
  • 3 pint-sized canning jars

Thoroughly wash and dry the inside of each canning jar. Spray the inside of each jar thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Stir the red food coloring into the prepared cake batter.  Spoon about 1 cup of cake batter into each jar.  Cook one jar at a time in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through.  Allow jars to cool slightly, then scoop the top half of cake from the jar. Spoon a tablespoon or so of Nutella into the center of the jar, top with a dollop of cream cheese frosting, then replace the top half of the cake back in the jar, add another layer of Nutella, then enough frosting to fill the rest of the jar.

Serve immediately or cover with a lid and store in the fridge or pop into the mail & surprise someone you love! Cakes should stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, and can be mailed so long as they are topped with a canning jar lid and arrive at their final destination within 3 days.

For even more recipes in jar check out “Contain Yourself! 15 beyond-exciting desserts in jar!

 Red Velvet & Nutella Cake in a Jar

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30 Comments

[...] Lisa (who teases me about this ambition) trumped my silly notions with a link to a cake in a jar. It’s just more… classy than cake-in-a-mug. You eat cake-in-a-jar while listening to Wagner and [...]

Cake-in-a-jar, bitches | Mission Succexy commented on Apr 21 11 at 4:20 am

To me this wouldn’t be “Red Velvet Cake”. There isn’t any thing from a box that can even close to tasting as fantastic as one made from scratch. I might give this a try as a treat for the grandkids. Other then that I doubt that I’ll ever make it just for myself. I’m a huge fan of Red Velvet Cake made from scratch only.

Aria Rogers commented on Apr 08 11 at 4:22 pm

This looks so awesome!! what a neat and fun idea to send to loved ones! and the first comment is just being rude… the whole idea of this is to be easy and fun…

mommyof2 commented on Apr 08 11 at 5:14 pm

This looks delicious and so fun! And if someone doesn’t like the idea, then they don’t have to make it. ;) But I guess small-minded people like to criticize in order to make themselves feel better……
Thanks for sharing this–can’t wait to try it!!!

mom2boys commented on Apr 11 11 at 3:05 pm

Yeah relax “mom of however many” commenters, I appreciated the first comment as I was curious if this is what red velvet really is or not. I look to the comments to get more information from other opinions. Yes the recipe is meant to be easy and it is and I appreciate that, but the internet isn’t made of sunshine and rainbows, not everyone agrees with you here. Welcome to it, mommies.

steph commented on Apr 15 11 at 1:00 pm

Looks delicious! I love the beautiful presentation in the jar. You can mail one to me :)

Patty commented on Apr 19 11 at 6:54 pm

Yes I agree with the first comment. I don’t think it’s being picky or rude. Red velvet is a specific kind a of cake just like chocolate or vanilla. Taking chocolate cake and putting red dye in it unfortunately doesn’t make it red velvet. It’s still a great idea though and I’m sure it tastes great whether you use chocolate cake mix or make red velvet cake from scratch! :)

lovecake commented on Apr 22 11 at 10:55 pm

just wondering if these are freezable? and how long they would last?

Emylee commented on Apr 27 11 at 8:11 pm

Fantastic! I made Pumpkin Cranberry Walnut bread in jars for Christmas gifts last year. Actually we baked them and sealed the tops. I think I am going to make these yummy layers for Teacher Appreciation Week! So much easier, and who doesn’t love Nutella!?! Thanks so much!

JessieMomma commented on May 01 11 at 12:04 pm

I just wanted to say – how nice of the previous commenter to be making something for teacher appreciation week. Small gestures like that make so much of a difference in the lives of others!

Kelly commented on May 02 11 at 4:54 pm

Neat idea, but why the food colouring? Why not just “Chocolate Cake and Nutella in a jar” cake?

Melanie commented on May 03 11 at 12:42 am

So my friends and I tried making this red velvet cake in a jar however. It came out a lot messier then we expected. So how do you keep the inside of your jars clean?

Viv commented on May 07 11 at 11:50 pm

I am wondering how to go about modifying this recipe for a smaller more stout mason jar for the self conscious cake eater…. (me!) =)

Barbara commented on May 12 11 at 3:45 pm

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but red velvet IS chocolate cake.

Victoria commented on Jul 10 11 at 2:31 pm

Hello
This cake goes in the microwave, not backed in the oven?
Thanks !

Irene commented on Jul 12 11 at 1:43 pm

Can anyone ple

Irene commented on Jul 13 11 at 6:56 am

Hello
Can anyone please tell me, can I bake the cake in the oven or cook in the microwave, sorry for my english, I’m from Belgium.

Laura commented on Jul 13 11 at 7:02 am

why not just buy a red velvet box cake mix or does it not microwave as well?

Kim commented on Jul 14 11 at 8:35 am

do you know if i can mail this? or do you have a different cake in jar recipe that would do well in a very hot climate and being shipped a long distance? my husband is in the military and i want to send him cake for his birthday. thank you

Shawna D. commented on Jul 20 11 at 11:48 am

hahah RED VELVET IS not chocolate cake dumbass

selina s commented on Aug 06 11 at 6:04 pm

I’ve always baked red velvet with chocolate, but because there was this debate, I took the liberty of looking red velvet up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Velvet_Cake

Fulltime Mom commented on Aug 15 11 at 11:01 pm

Red velvet cake is not chocolate cake with red coloring. If you’re saying it’s the same, you’ve clearly never had real red velvet cake or bothered to look up the recipe. The buttermilk and vinegar gives red velvet cake a tangier taste than chocolate cake.. and it has way less cocoa in it. I prefer it to chocolate cake, because I like how it has a much milder chocolate flavor.

Nia commented on Aug 20 11 at 1:13 am

Not sure what the big deal about is about the cake being “red velvet” or chocolate with food die…The idea is great and if you want to make it with red velvet or chocolate from scratch then do so…a recipe is a guidline…take it for what you will, but don’t be catty about it. I made the recipe without die as I am NOT a velvet fan and L-O-V-E-D every bite. Thank you Brooke!

Heather commented on Aug 27 11 at 9:56 pm

Red velvet cake is my FAVORITE kind, but chocolate cake mix + red food coloring does not red velvet make. Why not just use red velvet cake mix? And, you picky commenters who are so anti-cake mix, I have never had a red velvet cake made from scratch that could come anywhere near to being as good as what I make from the box (and yes, I have had red velvet in the south, and it was *awful*).

And yes, red velvet IS a type of chocolate cake.

Miss Lyon commented on Sep 02 11 at 10:44 pm

Well I have a taste for my mothers Red Velvet but I will have to try this it’s fun, cute, and easy even if it’s not real Red Velvet it looks delish!

Christina commented on Sep 09 11 at 2:30 am

Really follks, anything you can nuke in the microwave for 2 minutes isn’t going to be nearly as good as a REAL cake made from scratch, particularly Red Velvet, but it’s a decent approximation if you want a quick treat. And yes, every description of Red Velvet I’ve ever seen describes it as a chocolate cake, although it’s certainly not as chocolatey as I really want my chocolate cakes to be.

VBAC Mama commented on Oct 12 11 at 5:03 pm

I was so intrigued to find these cake-in-a-jar recipes! Years ago (almost 20…gasp!) I used to make canning jar bread for my kiddos’ teachers as holiday gifts. They were delicious, I was told. So I thought the recipes posted here would be awesome–what could be easier. Wish I had thought to take some pictures!!!! The cake baked and rose WAY above the rim of the jar…but the batter remained raw down toward the bottom of the jar. I baked another, reducing the amount of the batter in the jar. Meanwhile, I dug through my recipe basket and actually found my original Canning Jar Bread recipe so now have 8 jars in the oven, baking the old fashioned way. I sure it’s successful; it’s my contribution to a celebration tomorrow and I’m pretty much out of time!

Melissa commented on Dec 12 11 at 9:41 pm

I was so loved that someone made this for me and I have been intrigued ever since!!! Don’t care what kind of cake it was, the combo of flavors was amazing and the look so adorable! I plan on sharing the love and making it for others!!!

Aleg2000 commented on Jan 07 12 at 1:20 am

It’s not homemade, but I have seen red velvet cake mix in the baking aisle. For this recipe I would think it would be okay to use it instead of just chocolate mix with red food coloring.

veruca commented on Jan 23 12 at 10:17 pm

I added sliced strawberries between the layers for a Valentine’s Day treat. They looked like hearts and the combination tasted great

Emma commented on Feb 15 12 at 3:04 am

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