Go Back

Jar Bread

My mom’s spiced bread - baked right in the jar - for an easy, charming holiday gift. Make it with applesauce (our favorite) or pumpkin, with or without walnuts and raisins.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cool 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 7 jars
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups unsweetened applesauce (or 1 can pumpkin puree + extra 1/3 cup water)
  • 1 cup vegetable, canola oil, or other neutral oil
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
Optional Add-Ins:
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tsp flour

Method
 

Prep:
  1. Make sure the jars are clean, dry, and at room temperature. Spray the inside of each jar with nonstick spray.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Mix the batter:
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce (or pumpkin and additional water), oil, sugar, water, and eggs.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add to the wet mixture and mix with a spatula then give a final whisk to get clumps out.
  3. In a small bowl, toss the raisins (if using) with 1 tsp flour, then mix in the walnuts. Add into the batter and mix well.
Fill and bake:
  1. Using a large ice cream scoop, fill each jar 2/3 full. Wipe the rims clean.
  2. If you have an oven rack that glides easily and safely, place the jars directly on the rack with space between. Otherwise, set the jars on a rimmed baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 45 minutes. Check with a skewer - the center should come out clean. You can also use an instant-read thermometer. It should read about 200°F.
Cool and store:
  1. Move the jars to a wire rack, keeping them off cold or wet surfaces. Don’t put the lids on while the jars are hot. Let them cool almost completely about 1-2 hours. If the bread has risen above the rim, that’s not a problem. Simply gently press it down as you put the lid on.
  2. Eat within a few days. (This is not a canned product so it is not safe to store in the pantry indefinitely.)