Red Velvet Jar Cake

I love to make these red velvet jar cakes for friends, family and teachers. Red velvet is my favorite during the holidays, but you can use your favorite cake and frosting flavors. Then dress up the jars with homemade labels and ribbons for gifting. Don't forget to tie a spoon to the jar; everyone likes to dig right in! —Lillie Collier, Mobile, Alabama

• 

  Total Time

  Prep: 30 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling
• 

  Makes

  16 servings

Ingredients

• 1 package red velvet cake mix (regular size)
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 3 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• ICING:
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon 2% milk
• 16 half-pint jars

Directions

• Grease a 13x9-in. baking pan.
• Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions, adding pudding mix before mixing batter, and folding 1 cup chocolate chips into prepared batter. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake and cool as package directs. Cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth.
• In 16 half-pint jars, layer 1/2 cup cake cubes, 1 tablespoon icing and 1 tablespoon remaining chocolate chips. Repeat layers. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 530 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 358mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (52g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

Taste of Home Editors