Pure Genius

If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that Martha Stewart never fails me. Whether it's an organizational tip, a craft or a recipe– she knows what's up! I was searching around online for wedding shower ideas when I came across the most brilliant idea: cupcakes in a jar!


Photo via Martha Stewart

FOR THE CUPCAKES
* Vegetable-oil cooking spray
* 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for muffin tins
* 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
* 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FROSTING AND ASSEMBLY
* 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
* 1 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 cups raspberry jam

Directions
1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 2 standard muffin tins with cooking spray, dust with flour, tap out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a mixer bowl. Add egg, yolk, water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to bowl; beat on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
2. Divide batter among 20 muffin tins, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until cupcakes are golden brown and a tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Let cool in tins placed on wire racks for 15 minutes, then turn cupcakes out onto racks, and let cool.
3. Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and confectioners' sugar with a mixer on medium-high until smooth. Beat in milk and vanilla.
4. Spoon 2 tablespoons jam into the bottom of each jar. Place cupcake on top, then top with 2 tablespoons frosting. Cupcakes can be stored for 1 day.


If you wanted to simplify it, you could cheat and go with a box mix and prepared frosting. And obviously, don't forget to accessorize your jar with a customized label to match your invitation suite. ;)