Patriotic Cup Cakes

Patriotic Cup Cakes

Want a quick fix of cake? This is the answer!

In the summer, who wants the oven running for close to an hour to make a cake? And face it, sometimes you don't want to wait that long or have a huge cake on hand...for several reasons.

First, this doesn't have to be done with colors, patriotic or otherwise LOL. I only did this in case anyone wanted a quick, easy and pretty dessert for a July 4th party or BBQ. You can do this with ANY flavor cake mix.

I did this the really quick way--just cake mix and water. You have to eat this when it cools or not too long after since it will get a little dry quickly. For a more tender crumb, maybe the addition of about a teaspoon of oil would make a big difference to the texture. I didn't try it.

You can always make the box cake mix per directions and do this, but you'd end up with quite a few of these in the size I made them...and...you'd have to run the oven and do them in a waterbath so the don't brown. I used the microwave. It works!

I used Ball quilted crystal jelly jars for this (1/2 pint) because it's the perfect serving size.

Another caveat is don't fill the jars with batter more than half full. The cake will rise like a rocket right out of the jar--and straight up too. If anyone remembers "I Love Lucy" where Lucy and Ethel made the homemade bread, you'll get an idea of what happens here!!!

I used white cake mix and gel food coloring here, but as I say, any flavor will do for a quick snack.

Patriotic Cup Cakes

• 3/4 cup white cake mix
• 1/4 cup water
• red gel food coloring
• blue gel food coloring

Garnish:

1 tbs non-dairy whipped topping

Have 2 8-oz mason jelly jars handy. They require no greasing or prep inside.

Mix cake mix and water in a small bowl. Divide batter evenly between 3 bowls.

Tint batter in one bowl red to desired shade. Tint batter in another bowl blue to desired shade. Leave one bowl plain for the white.

Place about 1/2-inch of each color batter in each 8-oz mason jar.

Microwave individually for 1 minute on HI. Remove with an oven mitt as the glass will be hot.

Repeat for other mason jar. Cool to room temperature. Garnish with whipped topping if desired.

Makes 2 8-oz jars of cake.

Patriotic Cup CakePatriotic Cup Cakes