Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Well, My Luck Is Holding...!

Well, now I'm getting a little spooked!

Three days in a row, I have started a project and had all three come out fine! Sort of scary, huh? I mean, how often does that happen anyway? Guess I've been a better boy than I thought.

I told you about the success I had canning butter, but I don't think I mentioned that I also tried the "cake in a jar" recipe where you actually bake a cake in a jar, and then let it seal just like canning anything else.

I had read about this, mostly good with some bad, so decided to try it! Figured it couldn't hurt! So I got a lemon cake mix (77 cents on sale) and using the pint wide mouth jars I started in.

First, I heated the jars in the oven at 250 degrees and while they were heating, I mixed up the cake. When the batter was ready, I bumped up the oven to 350. I put 1 cup batter in each jar (it filled each one about half way) and with the four jars on a cookie sheet, I put them back into the oven and let them bake.

Now the recipe says you can make six jars, but I only came up with enough batter for four. I was a little concerned that only being half full, it might not be enough batter...but I had been reading all the comments and warnings about not using more, so I didn't add more.

While the cake was baking, I heated the jar lids as per instructions . When the cake was done, the batter had risen all the way to the top of the jars, I put on the prepared lids, and waited for the PING, letting me know that the jars were sealed properly! Man, I was truly tempted to try some of that fresh cake with some of my fresh canned butter and hot coffee...but I was STRONG! I didn't give in...yet!

Well, after having such good luck with the "no knead bread" and then with the "canned butter" and "cake in a jar"...I'm all set to try something else. I mean, I'm on a roll here, ya know? So I think that the next project will be a recipe I got from Safely Gathered In, (a GREAT blog, BTW) for an easy fudge!

Man, my mouth is watering already writing about Lemon cake, butter, fresh baked bread, and now FUDGE! Think I better go sit down, have a fresh cup of coffee and see if I can stop drooling for a while. Want to join me? For the coffee, NOT the drooling!

18 comments:

xox-Missi Mi-xox said...

Dang!!! Im coming to your place .. sounds like we're missing out on too many treats hehehe. Well done on your successes!!! Now Im feeling hungry ......

wanders off thinking

"now whats there to eat around here at this hour"

no .. nothing so yummy in my cupboards so yeah Im on my way ;-P

Take care my creative friend

Anonymous said...

Just so you don't start opening your canning projects too early, try the "Cake in a Mug" recipe I sent you yesterday. Since it only takes 5 minutes (hooray for microwaves!, you can have fresh from the mug cake while you smell the aroma from the baking ones in the oven! Progress!! And safety for your "get ahead and be prepared" pantry items.
See you Saturday, with peanut butter and chocolate goodies in hand..and lots of love ready to share.

treesong said...

Ahh, Hermit!

I was just sitting her licking the maple syrup from my lips and basking in the delight of having pancakes for breakfast. So nice to feel a bit of "normal" return to my diet after buying a soy based pancake/waffle mix yesterday. And then you have to drool all over the 'puter about your goodies.

Oh well, you deserve it. And you know, a single man who can bake might get a lot of feminine attention...

HermitJim said...

Hey MI...been missing ya, my Aussie friend! Doesn't seem the same up here without a visit from down under friends!

The smells of the holiday baking and cooking, mingled with the smell of fresh coffee, is the best part of the holidays for me.

You have a good one, Girl!!

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...can't wait for some of your special treats Saturday...you and B alwys could come up with the best stuff to eat!

Looking forward to the get-together Saturday. See ya then...

HermitJim said...

Hey Treesong...sure am glad to see ya this morning! Maple syrup sounds like a winner to me, no matter what it's on!

Man, all this talk of breakfast foods has me thinking about gravy and biscuits, with maybe some of your maple syrup on the side. A little bacon couldn't hurt!

BTW, that growling you hear is from my tummy! Hey, thanks again for the visit!!

The Scavenger said...

Wow Jim, way to go man. You got it goin on over there. We have talked about trying the cake in a jar thing, guess it does work. Thanks for the inspiration. Now just hate to part with my jars....

Chris

HermitJim said...

Hey Chris...I know what you mean about the jars and hating to part with them. Best if you give them out as gifts to mention that you would like to have them back...

I love these recipes and the ease of using them. I gotta learn if they work for me before I move...but that's just me.

With some printable canning jar labels from the net, these would make suitable gifts I think.

Thanks for stopping by...

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

All you needs do is inform me when MI will be there; I'll have bells on!
Only seems appropriate for the season, non?

Hey 'lil sis' (aka aunt a. to moi)- better bring extra, of whatever! Smelling all these baked goods of late has MY salivatory glands working overtime (no wonder I was dehydrated yesterday!). Never was said I couldn't eat a little...

See ya saturday:)

Cygnus

Mayberry said...

Hermit, keep it comin'! Man, that all sounds so good.....

Cat Melton said...

Amazing! I am so proud of you, hermit...all domestical in the kitchen...lol.
I think I would like to try some of those recipes. Do you mind to share? You can email 'em to me if you would, please, and thank you.
(Throw in that cake in a mug one, too!)

Thanks my friend, for sharing!

Cat
:)

HermitJim said...

Hey Cat...glad to share anytime. I'll send the recipes as soon as I can. Sure do thank you for stopping by and for the comments.

Keep smiling, my friend

HermitJim said...

Hey Mayberry...pretty good. Makes your tongue reach up and slap your brains out! But when it comes to food, I'm pretty easy to please.

Heck, I even eat my own cooking! Hey, thanks for stopping by.

Mr. Natural said...

Followed you over here from comments at Ornery's place. If you don't mind, I'm gonna stop by and read more now and then. Nice place you got here!

HermitJim said...

Hey Mr. Natural...welcome and glad you could drop by. I'm always glad to pick up a new friend...can't have enough, I'm thinking.

We'll keep a candle in the window and the coffee pot on the stove.

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

uh, sorry... that'd be "Baby sis"' from us whippersnappers to you "real" adults" [lucky you! Ah,here's to the day(s) when I grow up; may they never commence!!!) Ha!

love ya, auntA...

Jim

Anonymous said...

Been seeing you around the different sites - Mayberry's at least. Those cakes sound good, I'll have to try making some soon.

HermitJim said...

Hey Stephanie...

glad you could stop by. These cakes are pretty easy and certainly good! Nice to look at as well...

If I put on some nice labels on them...good for gifts!

Hey, don't be a stranger.