Decorating duo Aaron & Kara share their quick and easy way to use up the week’s cake decorating leftovers by making delicious cake in a jar desserts (AKA mini trifles).
Test and keep free a tool to perfectly pipe the most delicate details and words with buttercream Click here to learn more now
You may love decorating cakes, but hate all the materials that go to waste at the end of a project. Cake carving scraps, ganache, buttercream, cookies and candy.
It can all be re-purposed. Nothing need end up in the garbage. You may have heard of making cake pops out of your cake decorating scraps, but what if you don’t have the sticks?
Our Favorite Cake in a Jar Recipe:
It is to be noted that the secret ingredient to these mini trifles being amazing is LOVE! They should each be customized to the family member or friend you’re serving.
For example, my niece loves frosting so she should get a greater helping of buttercream than her Nana, whom detests frosting but loves raspberry jam. The suggested recipe that follows doesn’t include quantities for this reason.
The fun part of this dessert is its container. Rather than a sloppy heap of leftovers on a plate, its a stack of delicious ingredients which create a cake parfait. If you can see them all, it’s that much more appealing!
Mini Trifle Step-by-Step:
- #1: So start out with a mason jar, an old jelly jar, a clear plastic cup, or even a mug if that’s all you got. For the best presentation, tie a bow around the jar.
- #2: The first layer should always be – you guessed it – BUTTERCREAM. Because no one needs to see undressed dry cake at the bottom of the cup.
- #3: Add a layer of CAKE. The tops from leveling your cake make ideal scraps for cake in a jar because you can cut out perfectly shaped rounds from them using the jar itself or another circular object.
- #4: Throw in whatever FILLING you have left over. Cherries, jam, cookies, old Halloween candy – just kidding, but not really kidding.
- #5: Continue to layer BUTTERCREAM, CAKE, and FILLING.
- #6: Top with buttercream, then fresh fruit or some colorful candy or cookie bits.
This cake in a jar recipe also works with broken cookies and brownies instead of cake if you’re more of a home baker than a cake decorator.
Plus, if you’re not the neatest of decorators, somehow this dessert looks even better when it’s all uneven and messy in the jar.
These mini trifles are ideal for holidays and events because they’re portable and easy to re-theme, with the colors and toppers you use.
How would you customize this cake in a jar recipe for your family or friends? Let us know in the comments section!
Test and keep free a tool to perfectly pipe the most delicate details and words with buttercream Click here to learn more now
Thanks for the idea, my cakes top trimmings I called it toptop. I just put fillings, cut and gave away to my co-workers.I’m well-known for my toptop.😋😋😋Now I can offer something. Thanks!
I actually sell these! I learned with trick from this exact video of Kara and Aaron 2 years ago when I was using Creativiu! I learned so much from the videos, tips and tricks! Anyway, these are a favorite amongst my Facebook and Instagram friends! I do a “flash sale” once every couple weeks with my leftovers stacked beautifully in clear plastic cups for $6-8 each, depending upon the size of the cups. I sell out every time! Thank you!
I am a. Private Home Health Care aid. My client whom has Altimerzers really enjoyed making this. The simple layering was fun. Thank you fir giving her a jar full of joy
Looks interesting will certainly give it a try and let you know always have cake leftovers .thank you
O.m.g my favorite is cheesecake..
I love this idea . I will definitely start using it otherwise I’m the one who snacks in the scraps😜
That look so good I’m all ways looking for some good idea’s to for my employees at work.
This sounds like an awesome idea for vendor fairs!
Thanks for the info that’s a neat way for a wedding party
I love this idea, but I don’t have leftover cake because mine are flat! I will have to make cake just for this but I don’t mind a bit. Thanks for sharing the details.