Red Velvet Jar Cakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Learn how to make this delicious individual red velvet jar cakes recipe with a delicious cream cheese frosting. You’ll love these cute cakes in a little glass jar.

When it comes to desserts, convenience and presentation can make all the difference. Red Velvet Jar Cakes combine the elegance of red velvet cake with the practicality of individual servings, all packaged in charming 8-ounce jars.

Whether you’re preparing for a party, giving a heartfelt gift, or indulging a sweet tooth in a personal treat, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. Best of all, it’s easy to make and customize to suit your needs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Elegance

Red Velvet Jar Cake desserts elevate simple ingredients into a stunning dessert. The vibrant red cake layers and fluffy white frosting create a striking visual contrast, all while delivering the classic, tangy sweetness of red velvet. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is straightforward and yields professional-looking results with a red velvet cake jar with all of the seasonal flavors.

Versatile and Fun

These jar cakes are perfect for nearly any occasion. Their individual servings make them ideal for weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, or holiday gatherings. Additionally, they’re easy to transport and can even double as thoughtful gifts. Personalize them with decorative sprinkles, ribbons, or themed tags to fit any celebration. Also great if your favorite color is red!

What Are Red Velvet Jar Cakes?

Red Velvet Jar Cakes are a delightful twist on the traditional red velvet cake or red velvet cupcakes. Instead of serving slices of cake, the cake is baked in thin layers, cut into rounds, and layered with creamy frosting inside small jars. This method not only makes the dessert portable but also ensures that each serving is perfectly portioned and visually appealing. With their cute presentation and irresistible flavor, these jar cakes are a crowd-pleaser for any event.

Ingredients

Here is what you will need to have on hand to make this jar recipe.

For the Cake

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup oil

For the Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• Sprinkles for decoration

Supplies

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• Two 11×17-inch jelly roll pans
• 8-ounce jars with lids (I love these ones)
• Piping bag with a large star tip
• Sprinkles (any kind from holiday to chocolate sprinkles)

How to Make Red Velvet Jar Cakes

Prep and Bake the Cake

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two jelly roll pans with parchment paper or foil and lightly coat with non-stick spray.
2. Mix the Batter: In a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer, combine the red velvet cake mix, water, eggs, and oil. Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Divide and Bake: Pour half the cake batter into each prepared sheet cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are set, and the center is no longer glossy. Let the cakes cool completely.

Make the Frosting

1. Combine Ingredients: In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese (if using) until smooth. Add powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, and heavy cream. Mix on low until combined.
2. Whip the Frosting: Increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting is fluffy and cohesive. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.

Assemble the Jar Cakes

1. Cut the Cake Rounds: Use the lid of your jars to cut rounds from the cooled cake layers. Aim for 30-36 rounds. Or if you prefer use a round cookie cutter or glass about the same size as the jars to cut disks of moist cake.
2. Layer the Jars: Place a cake round at the bottom of the jar. Add a dollop of frosting. Repeat with another cake layer and dollops of rich frosting, finishing with a third layer of cake and a final swirl of frosting. Decorate with the right amount of sprinkles. Layer each of the following jars in the same way.
3. Seal and Decorate: Close the jars with lids. Add ribbons, twine, or tags for a decorative touch.

Where to Use or Take Red Velvet Jar Cakes

Red Velvet Jar Cakes are incredibly versatile and perfect for:

• Parties and Events: Serve these at weddings, birthdays, or baby showers for an elegant, mess-free dessert option.
• Picnics and Potlucks: Their portable nature makes them a convenient choice for outdoor events.
• Gifts: Add a festive ribbon and a mini spoon to turn these jar cakes into thoughtful, homemade presents for holidays or special occasions.
• Lunchbox Treats: Surprise your loved ones with a sweet treat packed neatly in their lunch.
• Valentine’s Day Gifts: Great for gifting to friends at a Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day party.
• Christmas Treat: The red and white cake and frosting layers look great for Christmas. Be sure to decorate with Christmas sprinkles.

Variations

Customize the Flavor

• Add a Twist: Swap the red velvet mix for chocolate or vanilla cake.
• Flavor the Frosting: Infuse the frosting with almond extract, cocoa powder, or citrus zest for a unique flavor profile.

Adjust the Layers

• Extra Toppings: Add crushed cookies, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of caramel between layers.
• Seasonal Themes: Use colored sprinkles or edible decorations to match holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day go great with the red color of the cake.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Red Velvet Jar Cakes are as convenient to store as they are to make:

• Refrigeration: Store in the fridge for up to one week. Ensure the jars are tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: These jar cakes freeze well for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the cake and frosting in advance. Store the cake layers in an airtight container and refrigerate the frosting. Assemble the jars the day before your event.

Common Questions About Red Velvet Jar Cakes

Can I use homemade red velvet cake instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! Homemade red velvet cake works wonderfully in this recipe. Use your favorite recipe and follow the same layering process.

What other jars can I use?

While 8-ounce mason jars are ideal, you can use a smaller jar size for bite-sized portions or larger ones (like a pint-sized jar) for heartier servings. Adjust the number of layers accordingly.

Can I skip the cream cheese in the frosting?

Yes, the cream cheese is optional. Omitting it will give you a classic buttercream frosting.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the jar?

Cutting the cake rounds with the jar lid ensures a snug fit, but if you’re worried about sticking, you can lightly grease the inside of the jars before assembling.

What to do with the extra cake?

Take the extra cake and mix it with a little bit of frosting, roll into cake balls and dip in white melting chocolates.

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Red Velvet Jar Cakes

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Cooling Time40 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: jar cakes, mason jars, Red velvet

Servings: 10 8 oz jars

Equipment

• 8 oz containers

Ingredients

For the cake –

• Red Velvet box cake mix
• 1 c water
• 3 eggs
• ½ c oil

For the frosting –

• 1 c unsalted butter softened
• 2 oz cream cheese optional
• 4 c powdered sugar
• 1 t salt
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 T heavy cream
• Sprinkles to decorate

Instructions

For the cake –

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two jelly roll pans with sides about 11×17 in size with foil or parchment. Spray with a light layer of non-stick spray, set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the red velvet cake mix, water, eggs and oil. Mix until thoroughly combined – stopping the machine and scraping the sides often.
• Pour approximately half of the batter into each of the prepared baking sheets. Use a spatula to help spread the batter into the corners and as even as possible.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. The edges should be set and the center no longer glossy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

For the frosting –

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, cream cheese (if using), powdered sugar, salt, vanilla and heavy cream. Mix on low speed until combined.
• Bump up the speed to medium and mix until the frosting is smooth and fluffy looking. Scrape down the sides often and mix until cohesive.
• Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Once the cake is cool, use the lid of your container to cut out the rounds of cake. Try to space them close together to get as many as possible. You should end up with approximately 30-36 rounds depending on the size of your container lid and the size of your pan. Set them aside.
• Prepare your workspace with the bagged frosting, cake rounds, sprinkles and the containers with the lids off.
• Carefully place one round of cake into the bottom of each jar. You may need to fold in half to fit through the opening but we know it will fit once inside because we used the lid to cut it just right.
• Follow up with a small dollop of frosting.
• Repeat with another layer of cake and dollop of frosting.
• Repeat with another layer of cake and a dollop of frosting, this time decorate with the sprinkles.
• Close the lid for storage. Attach a ribbon or twine and a serving spoon for a nice gift presentation.

Notes

Storage: Cake jars can be stored in the fridge for up to one week or frozen for 3 months.

Conclusion

Red Velvet Jar Cakes are a delightful combination of flavor, convenience, and presentation of this giftable treat. Whether you’re planning an event, looking for a unique gift idea, or simply craving a sweet treat, these jar cakes are the perfect solution. Easy to make, store, and customize, they’re bound to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Try this recipe today and discover the joy of Red Velvet Jar Cakes for yourself. Don’t forget to share your creations on social media and tag us for a chance to be featured!

More delightful desserts to try:

• Black Forest Jar Cakes
• Red Velvet Fudge
• Chocolate Heart Cupcakes
• Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

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