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How to Make Easy Chocolate Cake Mix in a Jar

Tired of the same bland chocolate cakes from a box? Ditch the boxed cake mixes and try our Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix in a jar. Plus you’ll always have Chocolate Cake Mix on hand, no need to worry about buying the stuff in the store.

Homemade cakes are always so much better than boxed or store-bought cakes.

Everyone is always asking how can I make boxed cakes taste like they’re from a bakery.

While bakery cakes can be really, really good, they can also be pretty pricey. Plus, you usually have to order ahead of time and designate a pickup person and time.

Why go thru all that hassle when you can make just as an amazing cake at home with Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix?!?

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Who Needs A Jar of Cake Mix?

  • Newlyweds
  • Friends
  • Kids going off to college
  • Family members
  • Expecting moms to be
  • Anybody who loves Grandma’s baking
  • People who love practical gifts versus just stuff
  • Chocolate cake lovers!

Chocolate Cake Mix Ingredients

Ingredients Needed to Make Cake Mix Jars

  • flour– we recommend all-purpose flour
  • cocoa powder – Hershey’s cocoa is a popular one in our kitchen
  • sugar- white sugar
  • baking powder– a common kitchen ingredient that is very useful in baking recipes
  • salt– iodized table salt is normally used in cake mixes, but you can use sea salt or kosher salt as well

Wet Ingredients to Add to Cake Mix to Make Amazing Chocolate Cake

  • eggs– we use fresh eggs from our chickens, but you can use store bought too
  • vanilla extract– if you make your own, you definitely should use it over store bought.
  • vegetable oil- we recommend using this versus coconut or other cooking oils
  • milk– we used cow’s milk, but you could use others
Ingredients to make chocolate cake mix from scratch in containers.

Tools Needed for Cake Mix Jars

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Sale
Measuring Cups and Spoons Set of 10 Pieces,Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle,for Dry and Liquid Ingredient (lake blue)
  • 【Premium Material】The measuring cups set made of food-grade stainless steel and PP plastic, 100% rust-resistant, no BPA. which is safe to use for both dry and wet ingredients.

Mixing Bowls

Sale
FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6) - Easy To Clean, Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Great for Cooking, Baking, Prepping
  • SIZED FOR EVERY TASK - With A range of 6 Sizes—¾, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8 quart—metal mixing bowls add versatility and functionality to your kitchen. For all-purpose kitchen workhorses from prepping, mixing, stirring, to kneading dough like a pro

Mason Jars for Storing

SEWANTA Wide Mouth Mason Jars 32 oz [6 Pack] With mason jar lids and Bands, mason jars 32 oz - For Canning, Fermenting, Pickling - Jar Decor - Microwave/Freeze/Dishwasher Safe.
  • 6-PACK MASON JARS 32 OZ WIDE MOUTH - Perfect for canning, pickling, preserving, and fermenting fruits and veggies. Embossed measurement markings ensure precise filling, and a label line lets you write dates and contents. 
  • DURABLE GLASS CONSTRUCTION - Made in America with USDA-approved and toxin-free soda-lime glass of food-grade quality. Heat tempered for water-bath canning; microwave and dishwasher safe with clear glass for easy visibility and a wide mouth for easy filling and washing.
  • AIRTIGHT SEAL - Time-tested sealing compound ensures a quality airtight seal with each lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks; freeze, preserve, and store for up to 1 year. (To freeze, fill up to 12 oz.) The lid and bands allow you to test the seal by listening for dull sounds.
  • FOOD PRESENTATION AND DIY - Create and serve beverages, cocktails, smoothies, parfaits, desserts, salads, and overnight oats. Create DIY décor and crafts with this vintage-style jar for party centerpieces or unique gifts.

Stuff Needed to Make A Cake or Cupcakes

You can use this DIY chocolate cake mix to make your own 9×13″ cake or 24 cupcakes. Here’s what you need on hand to make those delicious dessert options.

Mixing Bowl

Sale
FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6) - Easy To Clean, Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Great for Cooking, Baking, Prepping
  • SIZED FOR EVERY TASK - With A range of 6 Sizes—¾, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8 quart—metal mixing bowls add versatility and functionality to your kitchen. For all-purpose kitchen workhorses from prepping, mixing, stirring, to kneading dough like a pro

Mixer

DASH Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, Dough Hooks & Mixer Beaters for Dressings, Frosting, Meringues & More - Red, DCSM250RD
  • VERSATILE: Sweet or savory, the Dash Stand mixer is your perfect kitchen accessory for frosting, meringue, creamy dressings, doughs, baked goods and more

9×13 inch Cake Pan or Cupcake Pan

Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick Baking Pan with Lid, 9 x 13-Inch, Steel
  • READY, SET, BAKE: This Wilton baking pan can be used to bake brownies, bar cookies, casseroles and more. Add the plastic cover, then bring them to a picnic, party or family gathering!

Sale
Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup, Steel
  • READY, SET, BAKE: Everyone loves a good, warm muffin in the morning, and it's never been easier than with this 12-cup non-stick muffin pan. This pan can also be used to make a dozen cupcakes to brighten someone's day

Cupcake Liners if making Cupcakes

Wilton 300 Count Polka Dots Standard Baking Cups
  • Pack of 300 standard baking cups, 2 inch diameter

Cooling Racks

Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack for Cookies, Cake and More - Cool Batches of Cookies, Cake Layers or Finger Foods, Black
  • Versatile And Durable: The 3-tier cooling rack is a must-have for any baking enthusiast. Its sturdy steel construction ensures durability, while its versatile design allows for effortless cooling of cookies, cakes, bread.

Oven

How To Make Chocolate Cake Mix From Scratch

  1. Mix all dry ingredients together and pour into Mason Jars for storage. Alternatively, you can layer the dry ingredients in your jar to products pretty layered jars for gifts.

How To Make Cake From Mason Jar Cake Mix

  1. Mix the egg, vanilla and oil together in a mixing bowl with the cake mix.
  2. Add in the milk and combine until a nice batter starts to form.
  3. Pour cake batter into a 9x 13- inch cake pan or lined cupcake pans (makes 24 cupcakes).
  4. Bake in the oven at 350F for 20 mintues if making cupcakes and 25 minutes if making a cake.
  5. Use toothpicks to insert into center of cake or cupcakes to ensure that they are done baking. Make sure the toothpicks come out clean, otherwise add a few more minutes to the bake time.
  6. Cool on cooling rack if necessary.
Ingredients in a mixing bowl.
All dry ingredients mixed together in a mixing bowl.
Cake mix in a jar.

We love making a cake from scratch without all the chemicals, random preservatives and ingredients you can’t even pronounce that you’d find in a cake made from a box.

We have the same feelings about quite a few other grocery store boxed items. We will pass on the store bought pancake mix, hot chocolate mix, brownie mix, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning mix and more.

Simply because we have our own DIY recipes of all this and know what’s in them. We love the homemade pancake mix, hot chocolate mix, brownies and pumpkin spice– just to name a few.

Recipe Tips, Tricks and Variations

  • Like more of a chocolatey cake, add a bit more cocoa powder. Or a handful of chocolate chips to the mix.
  • Need dairy free chocolate cake ? Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Be sure to modify any other ingredients added, like butter.
  • You can layer the cake ingredients in the jar to make a beautiful layered gift or you can whisk it all together so it’s ready to pour and mix.
  • When you make chocolate cake from this cake mix recipe, the best homemade buttercream royal icing.

Can You Use All-Purpose Or Cake Flour?

We tend to use all-purpose flour for this recipe. However, if you want to use cake flour you can. Just know that they’re different and can provide different textures in your cake.

What’s The Difference Between Cake Flour and Plain (All-Purpose) Flour?

Great question! Cake flour is a finer flour that has a lower protein content than all-purpose flour. It has anywhere from 7-9% protein, where plain flour has 10-12% protein in it.

So what does this mean? The less protein in your cake means the lower the amount of gluten that forms when you’re mixing your cake batter together.

If you wish to use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour, you will need to adjust your measurements and add a bit of cornstarch. One cup of all-purpose flour, minus 2 Tablespoons and then add in 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch and you have “cake flour” or something similar to it.

How Do You Store Cake Mix From Scratch?

You can safely store your cake mix in air tight Mason Jars or air tight containers. This helps keep the mix fresh for as long as possible.

How Much Cake Mix Does This Jar Mix Make?

This recipe makes enough dry mix to make 1 cake or 2 dozen cupcakes.

How Long Is Cake Mix In A Jar Good For?

This depends on how fresh your ingredients are that you start with. If you’re using fresh ingredients, obviously they’ll last longer than ones you have had in the cupboard for months already.

If stored properly and in a dark, dry, cool area, this mix is good for 6-12 months.

We haven’t tried it yet, but we had a reader say she stored hers in her Jar in the refrigerator for 2-3 months and it was good to use.

How To Gift Chocolate Cake Mix?

Start by making your cake mix from scratch and storing it properly in a Mason Jar.

Then write out your instructions on how to make a cake with DIY cake mix. Make sure to include the other ingredients needed and how much of each they’ll need.

Add your Made with Love sticker to the lid of your Mason Jar. Use a piece of twine or ribbon to attach your To and From Tag around the neck of the jar and that’s it!

Cupcakes and jar of mix.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Cookie MIx

Hot Chocolate Bombs – Frozen Winter Theme and Snowman Theme

chocolate cake mix in a jar with ingredients behind it and a cupcake.

How to Make Easy Chocolate Cake Mix in a Jar

Mason Jar Recipe
Grab this super easy chocolate cake mix from scratch recipe. This is a great mason jar gift idea and makes the best, moist, chocolate cakes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cake

Ingredients
  

Jar Ingredients for mix:

  • 2 ¾ cups flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Pinch salt

Wet ingredients for cake:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup Milk

Instructions
 

  • Mix all dry ingredients together and pour into Mason Jars for storage. Alternatively, you can layer the dry ingredients in your jar to products pretty layered jars for gifts.

How To Make Cake From Mason Jar Cake Mix

  • Mix the egg, vanilla and oil together in a mixing bowl with the cake mix.
  • Add in the milk and combine until a nice batter starts to form.
  • Pour cake batter into cake pan or lined cupcake pans.
  • Bake in the oven at 350F for 20 mintues if making cupcakes and 25 minutes if making a cake. This makes a 9×13-inch cake or 24 cupcakes.
  • Make sure the toothpicks come out clean, otherwise add a few more minutes to the bake time. Cool on cooling rack if necessary.
Keyword Chocolate Cake Mix
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CAKE mix in a Kerr jar with text that says incredibly easy chocolate cake mix recipe.

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Recipe Rating




Karen

Thursday 18th of August 2022

It never says what temperature to bake at an what size of pan to use in the oven.

Mason Jar Recipe

Thursday 18th of August 2022

Thanks for bringing that error to our attention. This makes a 9x13 inch cake and bake on 350F. We have revised the post to add that info.