Cake in a Jar as a Gift: The Homemade Layered Brownie Kit

If you want to give a jarred cake as a gift, the smartest option is a kit: layer all the dry ingredients for a brownie in a one-liter jar, and attach a label that lists what to add (butter, eggs) and how to bake it. The mixture will keep for about two months in a dry place.

I put them together one Sunday in October under the pergola, with the jars lined up on the big table. Wow, in just an hour, half of my Christmas gifts are taken care of.

Ingredients for 1 1-liter jar (an 8-slice brownie)

• 100 g of T55 wheat flour
• 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of fine salt
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 80 g brown sugar
• 100 g dark chocolate chips
• 60 g of crushed toasted hazelnuts (or pecans)
• To be added by the person receiving the jar: 125 g melted butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

For a small 50 cl jar—which is enough for a brownie for 2 people baked in a 15 × 15 cm pan—divide all the quantities by two and write “60 g butter and 1 egg” on the label.

Preparation: 15 min · Cooking: 22 to 25 minutes on the day of the event, at the home of the person receiving the jar

The Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Wash the jar, rinse it, and let it air-dry overnight: even the slightest bit of moisture will cause the flour and cocoa to clump.
2. Mix the flour, cocoa, and salt in a bowl, then pour them into the bottom of the jar using a wide funnel. Press down with the back of a spoon to create a smooth, even layer.
3. Add the granulated sugar and pack it down, then add the brown sugar and pack it down again: the contrast between the white and the brown is what makes the jar so beautiful.
4. Add the chocolate chips, then top with the hazelnuts. If there’s any empty space left, fill it with chocolate chips so the layers don’t shift during transport.
5. Close it, cover the lid with a square of fabric, and tie a string around the neck.
6. Write on the label: «Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl. Add 125 g of melted, slightly cooled butter, 2 eggs, and the vanilla. Mix gently without overworking the batter. Pour into a buttered 20 × 20 cm pan. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes at 180 °C; the center should still be slightly jiggly. Let cool slightly before cutting.»
7. Add the manufacturing date and the shortest expiration date of your ingredients.

My Cooking Tips

• Cookie recipe: 200 g flour mixed with 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 pinch of salt, 80 g sugar, 80 g brown sugar, and 150 g chocolate chips. On the label: 125 g softened butter and 1 egg; shape into 40 g balls; bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 180 °C.
• For clean layers, wipe the inside of the glass with a dry paper towel after each application of powder.
• Roast the hazelnuts yourself for 10 minutes at 160 °C and let them cool completely before putting them in a jar; otherwise, condensation will form.
• Variation: Cake baked in a jar: Fill tall, thick-walled glass jars—manufacturer-certified as oven-safe—halfway, and bake them for 25 to 30 minutes at 170 °C. This is a fresh cake that should be served within 3 days; it is not a preserved food.

Under the pergola: how to serve

Slip a wooden spoon into the package—it really makes a difference. And if you bake the brownie yourself, serve it warm under the pergola with a cup of coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or—for adults—a small glass of mulled wine from Provence, in moderation. The mistral may be blowing, but the blanket takes care of the rest.

The sealed jar will keep for about two months in a dry cupboard, away from light and heat. Once baked, the brownie will keep for 3 days in an airtight container.

Your Questions

What are some ideas for homemade jars to give as gifts?

Cake mixes (brownies, cookies, muffins), pancake mix, layered hot chocolate, or homemade granola. These are dry mixes that travel well and keep for several weeks. Jams and savory preserves, on the other hand, require proper sterilization.

Which cake recipe keeps well?

Cakes high in sugar and fat keep well: gingerbread, candied fruit cake, brownies, and pound cake. If stored properly, they’ll last a week, and gingerbread actually tastes even better after two days.

What can you give someone who loves baking?

A jarred kit that comes with the right mold, a vanilla bean, or couverture chocolate is sure to please. What makes all the difference is the beautifully designed label.

What can you put in a jar to give as a gift?

For a kit, include only dry, non-perishable ingredients: flour, sugars, cocoa, rolled oats, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and spices. Butter, eggs, and any wet ingredients should be listed on the label—never put them in the jar. Check the freshness of the dried fruit, as it goes rancid first.

Can you give someone a cake that's already baked and sealed in a jar?

Yes, as long as you treat it like a fresh cake: keep it in the refrigerator and eat it within 3 days. Closing the lid on a warm cake creates a vacuum seal, but it’s not a sterilized preserve: at room temperature, mold and even botulism bacteria can grow in it. For a gift that lasts, stick with the dry kit.