Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

Need a shelf-stable gift that turns into chocolate cake with almost no fuss? Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar keeps the dry ingredients measured and ready, then the cake batter comes together right in the baking pan with oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water. Fewer bowls, less mess, and no eggs or milk to fuss with.

It also makes a practical pantry mix. Keep a jar on hand for last-minute desserts, bake sales, or the day you want cake without washing half the kitchen.

Ingredients for Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

You only need a handful of basic pantry ingredients for the jar itself, plus a few wet ingredients when you’re ready to bake. The dry mix fills a 1 quart jar neatly if you tap the layers down as you go. Fancy trick? Not exactly. Effective? Absolutely.

• 2 cups flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/3 cups sugar

To bake the cake, add:

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups water

If you like keeping homemade mixes on the shelf, take a look at Make Your Own Cake Mixes for more budget-friendly pantry staples.

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How to Make Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

1. Combine the sugar and salt, then place them in a clean 1 quart canning jar.
2. Add the cocoa powder as the next layer.
3. Whisk together the flour and baking powder, then add that mixture to the jar.
4. Tap the jar lightly on a padded surface, such as a towel on the counter, so the ingredients settle and fit neatly.
5. Seal the jar with its lid.
6. For gifting, cut a 9-inch diameter circle from fabric, center it over the lid, secure it with a rubber band, and tie a raffia or ribbon bow over the band.
7. Attach the baking directions so the recipient can turn the mix into cake without any guesswork.

The jar holds about 4 cups of dry ingredients, which is why a standard 1 quart canning jar works well here.

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How to Bake the Cake

This is called crazy cake because you mix it right in the pan you bake it in. That means no mixer bowl, no extra cake pan shuffle, and one less thing to scrub later.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Pour the contents of the jar into a 9×13-inch baking pan.
3. Add 3/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 cups water.
4. Stir everything together with a wire whisk or fork until the batter is completely mixed and no dry pockets remain.
5. Bake for 35 minutes.
6. Cool, then frost as desired or serve with powdered sugar and fresh fruit on the side.

The vinegar helps acidify the batter, which supports the leavening and tender crumb in simple egg-free cakes. For a clear, practical explanation of how acid works with chemical leaveners in baking, King Arthur Baking has a helpful guide on the difference between baking soda and baking powder.

If you enjoy old-fashioned chocolate pantry cakes, Crazy Cake Mix is another handy recipe to keep in rotation.

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Helpful Tips

• Tap the jar as you layer. That keeps the mix compact so it actually fits.
• Whisk thoroughly in the pan. Cocoa likes to leave little dry specks behind if you rush it.
• Use the correct pan size. A 9×13-inch pan gives the batter room to bake evenly.
• Do not overbake. Start checking near the end of the baking time so the cake stays tender.
• Label the jar clearly. Include the wet ingredients and baking temperature on the gift tag so nobody has to play detective later.

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Easy Variations

• Dust it with powdered sugar: The simplest finish, and still perfectly respectable.
• Frost it: Chocolate, vanilla, or cream cheese frosting all work well.
• Serve with fruit: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas balance the rich cocoa flavor.
• Gift it as part of a baking basket: Add a whisk, spatula, or can of frosting if you want the jar to look extra polished.

For another giftable jar recipe, Spiced Apple Cake Mix in a Jar makes a nice seasonal option.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve the baked cake plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or frosted once fully cooled. Fresh fruit on the side lightens it up nicely, especially if you’re serving it after a heavy meal and not trying to knock everyone flat with dessert.

This cake cuts neatly into about 15 servings in a 9×13-inch pan, which makes it a handy choice for potlucks, church suppers, or casual family dinners.

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Storage and Shelf Life

Dry mix in the jar: Store the sealed jar in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. A conservative estimate is 6 months for best quality because the shortest-lived ingredient is the baking powder. If your pantry runs warm or humid, use it sooner.

Baked cake: Once cooled, cover the cake tightly. It can sit at room temperature for about 1 to 2 days if unfrosted and your kitchen is reasonably cool, or refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days. If frosted with a perishable frosting, refrigerate it.

Freeze it: Wrap individual pieces or the whole cooled cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw covered so condensation lands on the wrap instead of the cake.

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💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

🛒 Walmart Grocery List

• All-Purpose Flour, 5 lb
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 8 oz
• Table Salt, 26 oz
• Baking Powder, 8.1 oz
• Granulated Sugar, 4 lb
• Vegetable Oil, 48 fl oz
• Distilled White Vinegar, 32 oz
• Pure Vanilla Extract, 2 fl oz

Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

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Crazy Cake Mix in a Jar

Article or recipe authorAuthor: Melissa 'Liss' Burnell

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preparation timePrep 15 minutes mins

cook timeCook 35 minutes mins

total timeTotal 50 minutes mins

This homemade jar mix makes an easy chocolate crazy cake that you stir together right in the baking pan with oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water. Estimated total batch cost is $3.54 for the dry mix and bake-up ingredients, or about $0.24 per serving for 15 servings.

ServingsServings 15 servings

CourseCourse Dessert

CuisineCuisine American

Budget101 Price BreakdownApprox Cost: $3.54

Ingredients

1/21x2x

• ▢ 2 cups flour
• ▢ ⅔ cup cocoa powder
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 1 ⅓ cups sugar
• ▢ ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ▢ 2 cups water

Equipment

1-quart canning jar

9x13-inch baking pan

Large mixing spoon or wire whisk

Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons

Scissors

Instructions

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1. Combine the sugar and salt and place them in a 1 quart canning jar.
2. Add the cocoa powder.
3. Combine the flour and baking powder and add them to the jar.
4. Tap the jar lightly on a padded surface so the ingredients settle and fit neatly.
5. To bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.
6. Pour the contents of the jar into a 9x13-inch baking pan.
7. Add the vegetable oil, vinegar, vanilla, and water.
8. Stir with a wire whisk or fork until all ingredients are completely mixed.
9. Bake for 35 minutes.
10. Cool and frost as desired or serve sprinkled with powdered sugar, with fresh fruit on the side.

Recipe Size Alteration

💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.

Notes

Estimated yield is 15 servings based on a 9x13-inch cake cut into standard squares.
Prep time is an estimate and includes layering the jar mix and mixing the batter in the pan.
Cook time is based on the stated 35-minute baking time.
Store the sealed dry mix in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months for best quality.
Refrigerate leftover baked cake within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.

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