It was Laurel Tribute last night (a recognition night for the graduating seniors) and even though I’m not in Young Women anymore, my friend Diana, the new YW president, asked if I would make the treats, yippee!!  It was held in the Bishop’s backyard so I thought these little mason jar cakes would go just perfectly with the backyard party theme and also I’ve been wanting to try making them.  I looked around on Pinterest at a few different ideas and came up with these.  I made these vanilla cakes and a chocolate version too which I’ll post tomorrow, I only tried the chocolate version but I’m told these were delicious as well.

cakes

18 (8 oz each) Jelly Jars

1 white cake mix plus ingredients to make cake

1 extra egg

1 small box vanilla instant pudding mix

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 (8 oz) bag of Mini Oreos

Basic Buttercream Icing

1 cup butter, softened (2 sticks)

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 pounds powdered sugar

1  Preheat oven to 325.

2  If jelly jars are new, wash before using.  Spray clean jelly jars with cooking spray and place on cookie sheets.

3  Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding extra egg, box of pudding mix and tablespoon of vanilla.  Using medium scoop or ice cream scoop, place one generous scoop carefully into each jar.  Reserving 18 Oreos for decoration, place remaining Oreos, approx 2 per cake, into each jar, pushing them down so they are covered with batter.

4  Bake at 325 for approx 15 – 20 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool completely.

5  Prepare frosting by beating together butter, milk, vanilla and salt then adding powdered sugar a bit at a time until frosting is smooth and creamy.

6  Fill a large pastry bag with frosting fitted with the “1M” tip and pipe frosting on top of cakes in a swirling pattern then top with 1 mini Oreo.

7  If desired, finish by tying a plastic spoon to rim of jar with Baker’s Twine (which came from “Pick Your Plum” as well as that adorable blue tray) for easier serving.