Birthday cake for a party of "two" - Happy Birthday Jesus!-

Greetings and Holykisses!

2 days until Jesus Birthday! I always think of today as: the day before Christmas Eve-day. I have a few last minute things to get done today, but thought I'd take a few minutes to catch up with all of you. The fire's stoked in the wood-stove, and smoke is billowing out the chimney!

A couple weeks ago, I tried to think of something special to give to the Sisterchicks for a little Christmas present and this is what I came up with. Little Birthday cakes for a party of "two."
I think most of them set aside a quiet devotional time, so I baked these cakes in little jelly jars. Just the right size for a party for two during their personal devotional time celebrating Jesus birthday.

Have you ever baked a cake in a jar? I know; I know, some of you are thinking, "WHAT?... wouldn't the jar break?" But, no... they don't! I've done this several times, and I've never had a jar break. The coolest thing is, when you screw the jar lid down after you take them out of thee oven, they actually seal, just as they do if you were making jelly! After I mix up my batter, I always fill just one jar ...-- just under half full on a baking sheet until it tests done with a toothpick... that way I can see how high it will rise. The idea being; you want to beable to put the lid on afterwards without the cake being too high. You can use almost any recipe but this "Pumpkin spice cake" recipe tastes just like "Christmas," and it's moist and delicious. I don't know how long these jars would actually keep, -- they get eaten quickly around here. But the idea is during your devotional time, you open your little birthday cake, put the candle in it... sing Happy Birthday... and have your own personal birthday celebration.. just you and your Savior!

This recipe, made one dozen jelly jars; "one" jar is missing here, but I already gave it away. I've used pint sized jars before and it works just as well. --So it's up to you. Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Spice Cake in a Jar

16oz can pumpkin- (I think mine said 15 oz- and it worked fine.)
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp ground ginger
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup walnuts (I didn't add these... because I didn't know if everyone likes nuts)
1 cup raisins (I didn't add these either... it's up to you... I love raisins but some don't.)

Mix really well.

(Jars- I sterilize mine but if you eat them soon I don't think you'd have to)

Fill one jar just below half- (if you spill any batter on the rim, make SURE you wipe it off with a clean cloth or it won't seal) -- and set on a baking sheet and bake at 350 until tests done with a toothpick. As soon as it comes out of thee oven screw on jar lid tightly, and set on a wire rack to cool. The first one will determine how high to fill the rest of your jars. I like them to be just below the tops... better too low than too high! Then I fill all the rest and set on a baking sheet. Make sure the jars aren't touching eachother. Bake 350 just as you did thee other. When they test done, take out and quickly and screw the caps down fairly tight. You can hear these jars pinging as they cool, just like you do when making jelly! All 12 of mine sealed!

When cool, use a saucer plate to trace around with a pen on your choice of fabric. Cut with pinking shears. Remove jar band, and use it to sandwich the fabric. Tie jute twine or ribbon around and tie on your birthday candle. Walaa! Easy, FUN, and a meaningful gift, that gifts 12 people with just one cake batter!

Jars are hard to find this time of year. I usually buy a box towards thee end of the season at our local farm supply store to save for this occasion. But many of you gardeners will already have your own jars already.


Well, I guess I better get busy. I hope this finds you all well, and enjoying this beautiful time of year. Thank you to those of you who have been signing my guestbook lately! I'm so happy to meet you all, and to those of you who have your own blogs, please drop me a line so I can visit you too!

This morning, I visited Deanna, and Deanna if you're reading this you inspired me to find the movie "The Nativity," today! While I'm out and about this afternoon, I plan to stop by the Movie store and see if they still have a copy! I hope so!

Hope you all have a wonderful day today!