How to Make Cupcakes in a Jar {Teacher Appreciation Gift}

Cupcakes in a jar are a delightfully sweet DIY gift for Teachers’ Appreciation week. Baked goods are one way I show my love and appreciation to others, so it only seemed fitting to work with cupcakes today. You’ll wow any teacher with this handcrafted dessert jar!

There are so many ways to show your appreciation for your child’s teacher. I am here to make it easier for you to do just that. To help you along, you can find hundreds of DIY teacher appreciation gift ideas here.

Nothing says appreciation like a cupcake!!…no wait, maybe that’s my hips! lol, Well, they appreciate cupcakes, and I’m pretty sure teachers do too – it’s usually in the handbook, right next to apples. So I thought, why not apple cupcakes!!

These cupcakes in a jar are super easy and are sure to be all the envy in the teacher’s lounge.

For the cupcakes in a Jar REcipes

Cupcakes

• Make your favorite cupcake mix, perhaps a Spice Cake Mix or Vanilla Cake Mix. Follow directions right on the box for making cupcakes. (You can either spray your pans and bake without liners or remove liners later.)
• Be sure to make them over the top with this yummy Cinnamon Butter Cream frosting (recipe below and in the recipe card). The frosting is definitely what makes this one of the best cupcakes in a jar recipes.

You can also make your favorite cupcake recipe from scratch, raising the level of goodness of this homemade gift. No matter what you choose, teachers love this sweet treat!

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons whipping cream (you can use milk, I just like whipping cream)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste (you can use vanilla extract, I just like a fleck of vanilla in my frosting)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

1. In a large bowl, beat butter, milk, and vanilla on medium-low until smooth and combined (about 1-2 min), scraping sides of the bowl as necessary.
2. Add cinnamon, then slowly add powdered sugar one cup at a time on low until combined, scrape sides of the bowl.
3. Increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 min.
4. Add corn syrup and beat on medium for about 30 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for about 1 minute.

What you need to make cupcakes in a jar

• 1-pint jar
• 3 Apple Caramel cupcakes (only 2 shown in the picture, but you will need 3)
• Cinnamon Buttercream
• 18″ disposable icing bag and large french tip
• 7/8″ grosgrain ribbon
• curly ribbon
• plastic fork
• 4.5″ square of fabric
• hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• foam adhesive dots
• 2″ scalloped punch
• FREE Thank You Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag Printable

How to Make Cupcakes in a Jar

Lets get started:

Start with dropping one cupcake inside the jar, then using your icing bag and tip, squeeze buttercream on top of cupcake. Repeat until you have 3 layers. When adding the final layer of frosting make a swirl with a peak on it. To add a finishing touch, I sprinkled a little cinnamon and sugar on top.

Now your ready to make it all look pretty!

Decorating the Jar:

• Add the 4.5″ fabric square to the lid.
• Wrap grosgrain ribbon around the jar, at the overlap glue with a dot of hot glue.
• Punch out Free Printable Thank You Tag, and attach where the ribbon overlaps with a foam adhesive dot.
• Tie the fork to the jar with curly ribbon. I it is best to wrap and tie the curly ribbon just below the lid.

That’s it ! You’re all set!

With the school year coming to an end – Don’t Forget to Thank a Teacher for all that they do!

If you enjoyed the simple cupcake in a jar gift and free printable let me know in the comments section. Also, I would love to hear your ideas or how you changed this gift idea to make it your own.

I would also like to thank Cheryl, with TidyMom blog for sharing this great post and idea with me.

More Great Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Teachers

Are you wanting more sweet treat ideas? These Teacher’s Appreciation candy bar covers and Rolo pencil teacher thank you gift ideas may be just what the teacher is craving.

Did you enjoy making this adorable cupcake gift in a jar? If you did, check out these other gift jar ideas, including some great mason jar recipes. Make sure to find the perfect teacher appreciation tag for all your gifts.

5 from 4 votes

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

Make your cupcakes and cakes over the top with this yummy cinnamon buttercream frosting. It takes minutes to make this creamy and fluffy delight.

Prep Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Save RecipeSaved Recipe Rate Recipe Print Recipe

Equipment

• stand mixer or hand mixer with the beater attachment
• Large mixing bowl
• Silicone Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons whipping cream you can use milk, I just like whipping cream
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste you can use vanilla extract, I just like fleck of vanilla in my frosting
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ 4 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Instructions 

• In a large bowl, beat butter, milk, and vanilla on medium-low until smooth and combined (about 1-2 min), scraping sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Add cinnamon, then slowly add powdered sugar one cup at a time on low until combined, scrape sides of the bowl.
• Increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 min.
• Add corn syrup and beat on medium for about 30 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for about 1 minute.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Servings: 8 cupcakes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Cindy Hopper