Strawberry Cream Graduation Jar Cakes are a delightful and elegant dessert perfect for celebrating academic achievements. These charming layered treats combine fluffy vanilla cake, rich whipped cream, and sweet strawberries, all beautifully presented in a jar. They’re ideal for parties, picnics, or gifting, offering both convenience and a festive touch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These graduation jar cakes are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. The layers of moist cake, fresh strawberries, and smooth cream provide a balanced flavor and texture in every spoonful. They are easy to transport and serve, making them a fantastic choice for large gatherings. Plus, their customizable nature allows you to get creative with flavors, decorations, and presentation.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Vanilla cake (homemade or store-bought)
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Whipped cream or stabilized whipped cream
- Strawberry jam or preserves (optional)
- Clear mason jars or dessert jars
- Optional garnishes: graduation-themed toppers, mini flags, or sprinkles
directions
- Bake or prepare your vanilla cake and let it cool completely. You can use a sheet cake and cut out rounds or cube the cake for layering.
- Prepare your whipped cream. If you prefer stability, use a stabilized whipped cream recipe.
- Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries. If using jam or preserves, warm slightly to make spreading easier.
- Start layering in the jar: begin with a piece of cake, followed by a layer of whipped cream, a spoonful of strawberries or jam, and repeat until the jar is filled.
- Finish with a swirl of whipped cream and decorative topping such as a graduation cap pick or sprinkles.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe typically makes 8 to 10 jar cakes, depending on the size of the jars used.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Assembling time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Twist: Use chocolate cake instead of vanilla and add chocolate chips to the whipped cream layer.
- Lemon Berry: Incorporate lemon zest into the whipped cream and use lemon cake for a zesty contrast.
- Mixed Berries: Replace strawberries with a medley of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
- Cheesecake Layer: Add a layer of cheesecake filling between cake and fruit for extra richness.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake base to accommodate dietary needs.
storage/reheating
Store the assembled jar cakes in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to seal them tightly with lids to preserve freshness. These are not suitable for freezing, as the whipped cream and fresh strawberries do not thaw well. Reheating is not required, as this is a chilled dessert.
FAQs
How far in advance can I make these jar cakes?
You can prepare them up to 24–48 hours in advance. Just be sure to refrigerate them properly.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but fresh strawberries are recommended for the best texture and appearance.
What kind of jars should I use?
Use small mason jars or dessert jars, preferably 4 to 8 ounces in size, with wide openings for easy layering.
Can I use store-bought cake?
Absolutely. A store-bought pound cake or sponge cake works well if you’re short on time.
How do I keep the whipped cream from getting runny?
Use stabilized whipped cream or chill the jar cakes well to help maintain structure.
Can I make these jar cakes dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free whipped topping and a dairy-free cake recipe.
How should I transport these to a graduation party?
Keep them chilled in a cooler or insulated bag. Secure the jars with lids to prevent spillage.
Can I add decorations?
Yes, top with edible glitter, sprinkles, or mini graduation caps to match the occasion.
Do these need to be served cold?
Yes, for the best texture and taste, serve them chilled.
Can I make these in plastic jars for outdoor events?
Yes, clear plastic jars are a great alternative for outdoor or kid-friendly events.
Conclusion
Strawberry Cream Graduation Jar Cakes are the perfect sweet treat to mark an important milestone. Easy to make, beautifully presented, and bursting with fresh flavor, they’re sure to impress your guests and make the celebration even more special. With their convenient jar format and endless customization options, they’re as practical as they are delicious.
Print
Strawberry Cream Graduation Jar Cakes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 jar cakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Cream Graduation Jar Cakes are the perfect blend of elegance and convenience, making them ideal for celebrating your graduate’s big day. Layered with moist vanilla cake, luscious cream cheese frosting, and fresh strawberries, these individual desserts are both delightful and easy to serve.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
- For the Strawberry Layer:
- 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- domesticdoozie.blogspot.com
- For Assembly:
- 8 (8 oz) mason jars
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake:
- Bake the vanilla cake according to package instructions in a 9×13-inch pan.
- Once cooled, cut the cake into small cubes or rounds that fit into your mason jars.
- Prepare the Strawberries:
- In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries and granulated sugar.
- Let them macerate for about 15 minutes until they release their juices.
- The Country Cook
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the Jar Cakes:
- Place a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of each mason jar.
- Add a layer of the cream cheese frosting over the cake.
- Spoon a layer of macerated strawberries over the frosting.
- Repeat the layers until the jar is filled, ending with a layer of frosting and a few strawberry slices on top.
- Top with graduation-themed decorations if desired.
Notes
- For a more decadent flavor, consider adding a layer of strawberry jam between the cake and frosting layers.
- These jar cakes can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Customize the jars with ribbons or labels in your graduate’s school colors for a personalized touch.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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