Fast and Easy Cupcakes for One

I love cake. While I won’t turn down a slice of apple pie, I prefer cake with ALL the frosting. And sometimes, being the only person in the house who NEEDS to eat gluten free, I only need one small serving. Technically, you could make this recipe for gluten free mason jar cakes in two coffee mugs. 

However, the added benefit of a mason jar, is that it comes with a lid. Which is PERFECT if you have a kid who needs a single serving gluten free treat to take to a classroom party or a friend’s house. In addition, the benefit that these can be put together in under 10 minutes, makes them a lifesaver when we’re not told until the last minute about said party. 

What Gluten Free Flour Should I Use? What About Dairy and Egg Substitutes?

I used King Arthur Baking’s Gluten Free Measure for Measure flour for this recipe. In addition, I’ve made this with Krusteaz Gluten Free All Purpose Flour, with good results. If you need dairy free options, you can easily use what ever milk alternative you like. I’ve tried making this with oil instead of butter, and it resulted in a hard, rubbery cake. I’d try using shortening, instead. 

This batter, which makes two mason jar cakes, uses one whole egg. I’ve never tried making this with an egg replacer. However, I HAVE used applesauce in my baked donut muffins. In that recipe I substituted 3 tbsp of applesauce for one egg. You can also try using 2 tbsp aquafaba (chickpea water).Other options include a powdered egg replacer, or using flax seed. Personally, I’m not a fan of either of those options. 

Which Sprinkles are Gluten Free? 

Excellent question. When I first made these, I used Sweetapolita Birthday Party Sprinkles. You can see their assortment of gluten free sprinkles on the Sweetapolita website.  For more on what brands of sprinkles are gluten free, read Wheat by the Wayside’s article titled, “Are Sprinkles Gluten Free?” Also read Sweets and Thank You’s post, Sprinkles 101, to learn about the different types of sprinkles. 

How Much Batter Per Mason Jar Cake?

The first time I made this with Krusteaz flour, I made them with a homemade self-rising flour blend. However, not many recipes call for self rising flour, so I wanted to rework this for specific measurements for baking powder and salt. The Krusteaz blend baked up taller. However, the King Arthur blend baked to a perfect height to allow frosting on top, and still be able to put the cap on. 

But back to the original question. I used 2 8 oz mason jars, and filled them both to about the 4 oz line. Do NOT bake all of this in a 16 oz jar. I tried that, and it required extra cooking time, that made the cake hard and less than tasty. Separating it between the two jars allows the batter to cook evenly. 

More Mug Cake Recipes

Looking for more mug cake recipes? Check out this list of 5 Minute Gluten Free Microwave Desserts from Gluten Free Palate. This list of Best Gluten Free Mug Cakes, from Fearless Dining, includes chocolate, cherry, lime and more! And this list of Gluten Free Mug Cake Recipes from Casey the College Celiac offers Keto options, as well.

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Gluten Free Mason Jar Cake

Keyword gluten free mug cake, mason jar, mug cake

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup King Arthur Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch sea salt
• 2 tbsp sprinkles

Instructions

• In a large glass measuring cup, melt butter. (I used a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup.)
• After butter is melted, add remaining ingredients (except sprinkles) to large glass measuring cup. Mix ingredients together thoroughly, making sure that flour is fully incorporated.
• Mix in sprinkles (or other mix-ins)
• Separate batter into two, 6 oz. mason jars. .
• Place mason jars in microwave and cook 1.5 to 2.5 minutes, depending on your microwave. I did at least 2 minutes for mine.
• CAREFULLY remove mason jars from microwave. They will be very hot.
• Allow to cool completely prior to adding frosting. Top with additional sprinkles if desired.

**This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

What’s your favorite “mug cake” recipe? What tips would you offer to other parents whose gluten-free kiddo has been invited to a non-gf birthday party? Leave some suggestions below, please!

Originally published June 2017

The post Gluten Free Mason Jar Cake – Cupcakes to Go! appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

My Favorite Gluten Free Bread

I’ve been a huge fan of Canyon Bakehouse products for a long time. Their Heritage Style Wide Loaf is my absolute favorite. However, after becoming Costco members, we regularly purchase the shelf stable Multigrain 2 pack for $7.99. While the slices are smaller than the Heritage Style Wide Loaf, they’re the perfect size for toast in the morning. 

By the way, why IS gluten free bread so much more expensive? Are companies just taking advantage of us? The short answer is, no they’re not. First, we must consider supply and demand. Fewer people purchase gluten free bread. Less demand equals higher cost. Also, gluten free bread is made with specialty grains that cost more. In addition, the grains they use must meet strict gluten free requirements to keep us safe.

Are Nuts Gluten Free?

Nut products seem to be notorius for the phrase “may contain wheat” on packaging. It’s important to remember that those types of advisory statements are neither required nor regulated by the FDA. In fact, they often cause more harm than help. In a study performed by Gluten Free Watchdog, 29 of 31 products with “may contain wheat” statements tested under 20 ppm. (28 of those tested under 5 ppm.) 

That being said, I prefer to buy Fisher Nuts for baking. One, their pecans taste amazing. Two, the FAQ portion of their website states they  have strict cleaning protocols for their factory. It also states, “We routinely test our gluten free products to ensure they do not contain traces of products that contain gluten. “

Are Spices Gluten Free?

When it comes to single ingredient spices, most are gluten free. In December of 2013, Gluten Free Watchdog performed a testing study on various single ingredient spices, produced and sold in the United States. Her special report states, “For the most part, spices assessed by Gluten Free Watchdog tested gluten-free (defined as less than 20 ppm.)” The only spice that was an issue was Fenugreek.

I buy single ingredient spices from Meijer and Kroger. If I can find them, I buy spices from Spice Islands. The biggest concern when it comes to spices, is spice blends and packet seasonings. This means products like taco seasonings, etc. McCormick has a line of gluten free seasonings, which include taco seasoning, chili mix, brown gravy and turkey gravy. 

Preparing Your Gluten Free French Toast Mason Jar

After testing this recipe multiple times, I decided one key to success is in the layering. I find it best to place your fruit (in this case blueberries) at the bottom of the jar? Why? Because they’ll release juice as they cook. It’s better to have that additional juice absorbed by multiple layers of bread on top, versus adding the berries last. 

Also, I found that there was such a thing as too many nuts. While the bread and berries get soft while cooking, the chopped nuts do not. Therefore, I only added two tablespoons in the middle of the jar. I did add a few more, on top, AFTER I finished cooking the mason jar french toast. I layered my french toast jar as such; berries, bread, nuts, berries, and then finish with bread. Then pour in the liquid ingredients and allow to rest overnight. This recipe makes two jars. I found the jar that sat for 48 hours was even better! 

Heating & Eating Your Gluten Free French Toast in a Mason Jar

The benefit of this french toast mason jar recipe, is that you prepare it before going to bed, and heat it in the morning. However, I always recommend allowing chilled items to come to room temperature before heating. Why? Because you don’t want the temperature change to damage the jar. Therefore I grab a jar from the fridge and set it on the counter before I shower. When I’m done, my breakfast is ready to heat.

This mason jar french toast is heated in intervals. I start by heating the jar in the microwave for one minute. Then, I allow it to rest for 30 seconds. Why rest? This allows the liquid to reabsorb into the bread for more even cooking. Then I warm it again for another 30 seconds, and again allow it to rest for 30 seconds. We don’t want the contents to explode all over the microwave.

Finally, warm it for one last 30 seconds. You’re going to want to watch it on this last round, as the french toast may rise and make a mess. Just give it a pause and let it shrink again. Then continue until that last 30 seconds is finished. Finally, this jar is gonna be HOT when you remove it from the microwave. Allow it to rest 2-3 minutes before eating, so you don’t burn your tongue! I like to add more fresh berries on top.

Other Gluten Free Breakfast Ideas

My husband and I are early risers, so I’m always on the lookout for breakfast options that don’t require brain power in the morning. Check out my post on quick grab and go breakfast options. You can also prepare my pancake casserole or my french toast casserole, and eat from it all week long. If you want to be extra fancy, try my homemade savory toaster pastries, or sweet potato toast topped with Farmer cheese.

Other Mason Jar Meal Ideas

I prepared this recipe using 2 cup mason jars. You can use these same jars to make Vegetarian Mamma’s Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee, Use them for lunch or dinner to prepare Iowa Girl Eats BLT Egg Salad Jars, or Gimme Delicious Mason Jar Burrito Bowls. You can even use mason jars for dessert, like my gluten free mason jar cake. Or how about these Gluten Free Peach Cobbler in a Jar from Organically Addison? 

Print

Mason Jar French Toast

Make gluten free french toast portable by making it in a mason jar

Course Recipes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Additional 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 17 minutes minutes

Servings 2 jars

Ingredients

• 4 slices bread cubed (approx 4.5 oz)
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 3 eggs
• ⅔ c milk
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ c chopped pecans optional
• 1 c blueberries optional

Instructions

• Cube bread and set aside. Personally, I cut two slices at a time, and keep them separated on the cutting board for later.
• In a small bowl or a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup, combine melted butter, eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. I prefer using a Pyrex measuring cup, because then I can evenly distribute the liquid between both jars. *Make sure your milk is room temp or wamer, or your butter will re-solidify.)
• If using pecans (or another nut of your preference), chop them prior to building your Mason Jar French Toast. 
• Next, build your jar. ( I two 16 oz mason jars for this recipe.) Place ¼ c. blueberries (or other berries) in the bottom of the jar. Then place a layer of bread and nuts, then more blueberries, and then top with more bread. Repeat for the other jar. 
• Finally, pour half of your egg mixture over one jar, and pour the remaining half over your other jar. My liquid ingrediens totaled 1 1/2 cups, so each jar had 3/4 cup of liquid.
• Seal with the jar lid and ring, and place in the refrigerator overnight. (Actually, IMO, these were even better having sat in the fridge for over 24 hours+.)
• To heat, remove jar from fridge and allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. ( I pull mine from the fridge before taking a shower.)
• Place jar in microwave and heat for 1 minute. Allow to rest for 30 seconds.
• Heat for another 30 seconds, and allow to rest again for 30 seconds.
• Heat for a final 30 second interval. The waiting time between heating cycles is important, or your french toast ingredients will make a mess all over your microwave.
• CAREFULLY remove jar from microwave. It WILL be hot. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before eating. Add extra syrup if you desire. Or top with a bit of fruit flavored yogurt.

** This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

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