Desserts in Jars 50 Sweet Treats that Shine

by Olmanson, Shaina

• ISBN13: 9781558327986
• ISBN10: 1558327983
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781558327993
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-06-26
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press

Summary

Some desserts in jars are baked or otherwise prepared right in the jar, while others are spooned into jars. Either way, the sparkling and pretty vessel and the appealing treat it holds make for a beautiful presentation. Olmanson's clever and cute desserts are at once playful and well-crafted, appropriate for a kids' birthday one weekend (Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes) and a grown-up gathering the next (Neapolitan Cakes). The book includes chapters on cakes, pies, crumbles and cobblers, quick breads, and frozen indulgences like Strawberry Lemonade Granitas. Desserts in jars are fun to make and, of course, to eat, and they are especially suited for gift-giving. They store, travel, and stay fresh well, and even can be delivered with a lid on the jar and with gift tags, ribbons, and other embellishments. Olmanson devotes a special chapter to as-yet-unbaked mixes, with the flour, brown sugar, and so on attractively layered in the jar, a timeless idea now undergoing its own revival.

Author Biography

Shaina Olmanson is a cook, writer, photographer, and mother of four young children. She writes the popular blog FoodForMyFamily.com. She also writes two other blogs, FoodYourWay.com and SimpleBites.com. She is the editor of the food channel for LifetimeMoms.com. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Excerpts

IntroductionA Dessert in a JarThey are a trend today, but desserts in jars in fact are timeless. A number of friends have shared with me that their grandmothers tucked desserts into their canning jars, for backyard garden parties or Sunday afternoon picnics. The jars were what they had at hand, and really, the practicality of it makes sense.In a day and age where so much of what we use day in and day out is disposable, using glass jars as a serving mechanism or a gifting vessel for dessert is a way to make the entire package reusable. Whether you go on to put up food in them after the dessert is long gone or repurpose them for another household use, jars are containers that have a multitude of usage possibilities.Eco-friendly and multi-purposeful, glass jars win points for aesthetics as well. They can be a cute and decorative gift that requires just a simple ribbon and gift tag as packaging, and they can also find a place at a respectable dinner party. They can be well received and at home during an outdoor vintage wedding.They are easy to package and carry with just a lid, a towel, and a sturdy basket or box. Desserts in jars require no plate or bowl, making them less susceptible to landing in your lap or on the ground next to you while eating outdoors. All that is necessary is a proper utensil, a simple fork or spoon, and you’ll be on your way to digging into a delicious treat.Choosing the Perfect JarsThere are a variety of canning and mason jars on the market, in many different sizes, prices, and designs, and with a range of closing mechanisms. This leaves a world of possibilities out there to explore when you’re looking at serving dessert to guests, shipping jars in the mail, or giving mixes as gifts. You always want to use clean, chip-free jars. Never use jars that have been chipped or cracked in any way. Two more things to consider are the size of the opening or mouth of the jar and the height of the jar from the mouth to the bottom.First, let’s consider the jar opening or "mouth." Jars typically come in one of two sizes of opening: standard or wide-mouth. Most standard jar openings are 2 3/8 inches in diameter, while wide-mouth openings are 3 1/8 inches across. There are other styles of jars that have openings specific to the brand or design of the jar. When baking a dessert that requires you to reach into the jar to pack it, as you will do with a cheesecake crust or a layered parfait, a wide-mouth opening will give you more room with which to work.