Sweet Escapes - Desserts in Jars

Hello all!

So for this week's Sweet Escape, I thought I'd introduce you (in case you don't just spend hours of your valuable time of Pinterest like I do) to the new realm of DIY Gifts - Desserts in a Jar.

I plan on doing this for pretty much any and all birthdays, Christmas etc. Honestly, who do you know who wouldn't want a mason jar filled with either a) cake b) pie or c) cheesecake ? All done up in a nice little bow, and the mason jar is an adorable keepsake after the treat inside is eaten. Here's just a few that I have on my list, ready and waiting for the lucky birthday guy/gal to enjoy.

1. Smores Cake by How Sweet It Is

Sometimes I think I should just tell you all, at the onset of every post, to check out this blog. Really. Every time I do a "Sweet Escape" Post with actual food, she's got a recipe for it. This is a great gift for the summer, when s'mores is on everyone's list, but I'd be perfectly content getting one of these in any other season too. I personally love how much marshmallow there is and the contrast in color you can see in the jar when you move from graham cracker, to chocolate, to marshmallow. 

2.  Pie in a Jar by OurBestBites

Now this is the kind of pie I would want to bring to Thanksgiving! Imagine sitting around the table, after engorging on turkey and stuffing, to be offered this beautiful, delicate pie in a jar as dessert. No messy cutting and everyone gets the same size. I love the cutouts and the lattice top. I also love how the recipe gives you the option to make these, then freeze them unbaked! If you have a hankering for pie, just take it out of the freezer, stick it on a pan and into the oven it goes...and then..poof! The perfect single serving of pie. 

3. Cheesecake in Jars by The Italian Dish

I told you there'd be cheesecake. Cheesecake Factory eat your heart out. Now I can customize my cheesecake and keep it all to myself in this adorable little Mason Jar. I just adore how all of these recipes allow customization by the baker, and they look like so much fun! Not to mention, they make quite the impressive photo shoot (as you can see here by all of these lovely blogs' photos). If you really want to impress your friends, have them over for dessert one night and whip these babies out. They'll never want to leave.

4. Cupcakes in a Jar by Glorious Treats

This was the first post I saw with the infamous Mason Jar. Glorious Treats switches it up a bit by baking the cake separately as cupcakes, and then slicing and layering it with frosting inside the jar. This allows for more decoration to be had, and more fun with the piping. Oh how I wish my piping could look like that! But I guess I can practice by making these cute little gifts with extra cupcakes!

5. Chocolate Dream Ice Cream Cups by TheYummyLife

And now, I can even have my ice cream in a jar. I always want to experiment with making my own ice cream, but without an ice-cream maker I'm usually at a loss. Now here's a recipe that does not require one, just mix it up, freeze it, and voila! Ice cream in a jar. Who knew? The jars look so neat with the frost on the outside as well, and these would be great to make in the summer with any little ones you might have lying about, bored because they're not learning anything awesome (I know I'm the only one who sees it that way but to each his own right?).

This has been this week's Sweet Escape! Hope you enjoyed seeing all of the exciting sweets and treats you can keep in a jar. Keep a lookout for a post on Snickerdoodles this week. This lazy blogger finally got her butt over to the grocery store and the result? Cinnamon-y and delicious!