Baking Bread in a Canning Jar
The Best Whimsical and Inexpensive Christmas Baked Goods Gift Idea
Nov 15, 2009
Many people enjoy making cookies and other baked good during the holiday season, many of which are given as thoughtful, inexpensive Christmas gifts. This year, try something different – making delicious bread baked in a canning jar!
These small loaves of bread are a fun and whimsical alternative to traditional baked goods. Banana bread, pumpkin bread, or any other sweet bread recipe are all ideal for this holiday gift-giving idea. Use a favorite recipe, or try this recipe that is perfect for the holidays!
Pumpkin Bread in a Jar Recipe
Recipe yields eight mini-loaves.
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup butter flavored shortening
- 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, unpacked
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups canned pumpkin
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 8 pint-size canning jars with straight sides and wide mouths
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Grease eight 1 pint canning jars. Be sure to use wide-mouth jars with straight sides, to allow the finished bread to slide easily out of the jars.
- In a large bowl, beat together shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy in texture. Add eggs, pumpkin, and water, stirring until all ingredients are well blended.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Add to pumpkin mixture and beat until blended. If using nuts, also add them at this point and mix until evenly distributed.
- Fill each jar about halfway with batter. Be very careful not to get any on the rim or outside of the jar; wipe with a damp cloth if necessary. Do not put the lids on the jars yet!
- Bake jars with no lids at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes. For best results, do not place the jars on a cookie sheet; instead, place the jars directly on the center rack of the oven.
- While the bread is baking, sterilize the jar lids and rings in boiling water.
- When the bread is done baking, remove the jars from the oven one at a time. Working quickly and carefully, wipe the rim of the jar to ensure a tight seal. Place a lid on the jar and screw into place with a ring. It is important that this be done immediately upon removal from the oven, as the cooling of the hot jars will seal them.
- Place filled jars in the counter to cool and listen for each lid to “pop” as it seals. If any jars do not make a “pop” noise, check its seal when cool by pressing on the center of the lid. The lid should not move. If the lid does move, the jar has failed to seal.
Despite being sealed in a jar, this bread does not have a long shelf life as it is baked without preservatives. Jars should be eaten or given as gifts immediately. Storing jars in the refrigerator will prolong the freshness of the bread.
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