I’m crazy about DIY wedding favors that are edible, so naturally I love this banana bread in a jar recipe. It’s the perfect favor for a barn wedding – or any rustic wedding!
I’ve made banana bread countless times, but this is the first time I attempted it in a jar. I honestly thought it would be much more difficult than it is. Read on for the recipe and wrapping instructions.
Also, check out Peach Crisp in a Jar.
Banana Bread in a Jar Recipe (adapted from allrecipes.com)
(Makes one dozen 250 ml jars)
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 2 2/3 cups white sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups mashed bananas
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves (I used half a teaspoon because I didn’t want mine too ‘clovey’.)
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
You will also need:
- 12 250 ml canning jars
- funnel
If you are planning on storing these for a while, you will need to sterilize your jars. Follow the instructions here for how to sterilize jars. (Some reviewers on Allrecipes.com said the jars will keep up to a year in your pantry if sealed properly. To be safe, I wouldn’t make these more than a week before your wedding. We don’t endorse keeping for long periods because we are NOT food scientists and cannot speak to longevity canned bread. In fact, this article on canning bread, which was sent over by a reader, strongly advises against it.)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease insides of a dozen 250ml canning jars. (I wiped mine down with vegetable oil.)
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mash bananas.
Beat in eggs, bananas, and water.
Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
Add to banana mixture. Add nuts and stir them in with spoon.
Insert canning funnel into mouth of jar and pour mixture into greased jars, filling half full.
Place jars directly on rack in oven.
Do NOT put lids on jars for baking. Be careful to keep the rims clean, wiping off any batter that gets on the rims. Bake for 45 minutes.
Don’t worry if a few rise over the top of the jar a bit like this one. You can press it down with the lid.
While jars are still warm, add lids. Screw on tightly. If you sterilized your jars (as I mentioned, I didn’t because I didn’t plan on storing mine), listen for the ping once you have added the lids; this means that the jar is sealed. If you miss the “ping”, wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.
Find some pretty vintage fabric and trace a circle. I used a bowl and traced around it with a pencil.
Cut out the circle.
Make a ‘ribbon’ by ripping a piece of vintage fabric.
Fringe the edge of the circle and tie the ‘ribbon’ around the jar. Add a tag and you are good to go!
I love the look of mix n’ match vintage fabrics! Especially vintage fabrics. (Most of the fabrics I used were from vintage bed sheets. Just like these buntings.)
To remove the cake, simple slide a butter knife around the loaf and it will pop out.
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This is such a cute idea for favours! Love it!
May I ask where did you find your vintage sheets? We don't have many clean thrift stores in my area, they are mostly homeless shelter drop off places. I have looked online but they are spendy!
Just curious..how long do you have to let them cool? Do you pop the bread out so it can cool completely then put it back in the jar? It just seems like it could get soggy if it couldn't cool all the way. I LOVE the idea, though and can't wait to try it!! Thanks for sharing!!!! :)
Miranda, I found most of my sheets and vintage linens at Value Village.
Leah, you can let them cool completely. They won't get soggy.
Its a very cute idea...but how easy is it to get out of the jar?
Barbara, as long as your jars are greased they will pop out easily. (I wiped mine down with vegetable oil, but you could also use cooking spray). To release the loaf, just run a knife around the edges and it will slide out.
I can hardly wait now to get started on my holiday baking. How cute is this to tuck down into stockings? And chances are they'll eat the cake right then and there and leave your jar to use again. LUV it !!
Great idea... so beautiful :)
These are so adorable, I can't wait to make them! What temperature do you cook them at?
Thanks Diana. Bake them at 325 degrees.
Have you tried this with carrot cake & if so do you have a recipe yet? My husband is in Afghanistan & one of the ladies suggested these jar cakes, however, I'm notice of a baker but this looks easy! Thanks for the wonderful idea :)
No, I haven't tried it with carrot cake. Let me know if it works out.
Do you need to prepare the lids by soaking in boiling water before putting them on the jars? Do you put the lids on the jars right out of the oven?
LOVE the idea.
Hello, can you tell me the size of the jars not sure what 250ml is
It works with a wide mouthed jar filled half full & lasts about 3 months if sealed!
What can I use in place of the shortening?
Is it really safe to put the bottles in the oven without breaking with a high temperature?
How do you recommend properly sealing them? I'm guessing it could be done in the oven but am not sure.
Better buy the jars NOW because at Christmas they will be HARD to find, if not impossible because canning season is OVER. I'm going to buy mine now.
Love this! I make banana bread like this all the time and send it to my Hubby while he is deployed! Its perfect for that!
Glad you like the idea Brittany!
Can you use a boxed mix for this?
Not sure Connie. Why not give it a try?
Are there other bread recipes you can use? The smell of bananas makes me highly sick, so I can't use them.
Not sure Mary.
Ok thanks. I will give it a try :)
I love baking things in jars! I only fill enough so it doesn't bake over the top, then as soon as it comes out of the oven, pop on the seals and rings. Set them on a dry towel on the counter til they 'ping' seal. I've shipped goodies all over the world sealed in canning jars.
Banana Cake is my signature dessert, I am so going to try this and give away for gifts.
Do you have to leave the bread cool before adding the lids?
These are so adorable. I want to make some for Christmas. Is there a substitution for the shortening?
Maybe you could substitute butter or margarine for shortening, but I am not sure how this would work in this recipe as I haven't tried it. You'd have to give it a whirl and see if it works out.
Beth, no you don't.
I wonder if this would make a good fundrazier for our church mission trip. Do you know about how much it cost to make these?
What great ideas! Can you use pumpkin bread as well as banana bread
I don't see why not Terry. That said, I haven't tried anything other than Banana Bread in a jar. Let me know how it turns out!
Love this idea! We are going on a ladies retreat next month and I know what I will be bringing each lady. I remember being able to buy banana nut cake in a can but have not been able find that in years.
Love this! I am doing in now, they are in the oven ... mmmm I can smell the banana bread, cant wait! Thanks for the awesome idea! This is my practice before the holidays :)
Hi, I love this idea. I bake banana bread all the time and it's my grandmothers recipe. Would this work for any recipe? Mine recipe doesn't have any shortening in it.
I'm not sure Carrie. I haven't tried any other recipes. Let me know how it turns out.
i love this idea! i have a friend who loves oatmeal raisin cookies,i make them for him in bars instead and i was wondering if i could do the same thing in a jar?
Love your idea! I made pumpkin bread in the jars and they turned out perfect. Thank you for this great idea.
Thanks so much for letting us know about your pumpkin bread in a jar, Misty. I will have to do some experimenting:)
Should you use Pam spray on the jars before filling them or noy?
Re your question of jar size, 250ml is about one cup (about 8 liquid ounces). It's metric and here in Canada we use it all the time. It's a standard size for canning jars. You can usually get these all year round at Walmart or perhaps your K-mart. As for the fabric to cover, something you might find also at Walmart in the fabric department is pre-cut squares of fabric for quilt making. This are easily cut to cover this size jar and there are many design choices at a very reasonable price.
Michelle, I wiped the inside of my jars down with vegetable oil, but cooking spray would also work.
I.J... Thanks for your input! Quilt squares sound like a great idea!
I have been making this recipe for over 20 yrs. as Christmas gifts. I was the one that submitted the recipe to AllRecipes.com. Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water. Spray the jars with Pam Cooking Spray. Be sure to wipe the rims after baking before screwing on the lids or they may not seal. Because the jars are vacuumed sealed, the Banana Bread will keep for at least a year. Just as moist and good a year later. Makes good emergency refreshments to serve with coffee for drop-by guests or for breakfast. Just take out of the jar (Be sure to use WIDE MOUTH jars, and they'll slip right out) and heat in the microwave for a few seconds.
What a lovely idea! Super cute and simple to make, and I've never seen anything like it before so I doubt my wedding guests will have either. Thank you :)
Saw another great idea on Pinterest even though I didn't pin it. Will remember for sure. For a great Christmas gift idea with these jars, cut out circles of old (or new ) Christmas cards to insert as the decoration (on top of the flat part of the cover before screwing on the final part). I guess you could also use your favorite Christmas gift wrap as well. Guess I could take that one step further, and spray paint the screw on part in red or green for Christmas. Your kids could certainly help with this part, cutting out and deciding the cards and feel part of the gift.
Do I have to use cloves? Can I bake it in a loaf pan?
Would this work in a typical mason jar, or is it best to use wide mouthed?
Can you use the pint jars for this
You can use the 1lb metal coffee cans too! Grease well, fill 1/2 way, decorate the outside or remove from can and slice. I've been making holiday bread of every kind for years using my saved cans.
I've heard of bread in a coffee can... I will have to try it out Renee!
Where do i find 250ml jars? They don't quite measure out to be 8 oz. would that affect the recipe if i just made it in 8oz canning jars.?
I just made these and sealed them. They are cooling now! Some of mine went way over the top because I used 6 500ml jars instead of 12 250ml jars. I cut the tops off before I put on the lids and got to eat them. This bread is delicious! Thank you for the recipe and the jar idea
You're welcome Liz!
I think this is a perfect wedding favour for me to do for our upcoming wedding!!! thank you so much for this! Im soooo excited!
You're welcome Cori!
Use wide-mouth pint size canning jars. I have used several different recipes besides banana nut bread - pumpkin, zucchini, apple, cranberry, brownie nut bread, etc. You could even use cake mixes mixed according to directions on back. Just be sure not to fill jars over half full to allow for rising as baked. Take the jars out of the oven one at a time and wipe the tops of jars with paper towel to be sure there is no oil or moisture on top to seal properly. Screw lid on tightly. Then remove next jar and repeat. As they cool, the lids will pop. This is a sign that they have sealed properly. To make sure there is a good seal, press on lid after cooling. If it moves up and down, it is not sealed. If sealed properly, it will not give. Mine always seal, but if it doesn't, eat within a few days. If sealed properly, it will keep at room temperature for a year.
Great idea, but I didn't pay close enough attention to canning jar type. Therefore, I used one with a curve on the top. I now realize they will not slide out! So, just note the proper type jar! They look delicious, but will have to be dug out. It was my experiment, so thankfully, I only made 2!
Looking good I will try it.
banana bread in a jar
I'm concerned about something: Do the jars crack? Could it happen or am I worrying in vain? Another concern: If I want to storage these for long, I guess I have to cap 'em closed immediately, no? Thanks!
As long as they are canning jars they will be fine. As far as storing them, I'm not sure as we ate ours up pretty quickly.
You better tell me, how do You get the bread out of the jar? :) Fab idea, I need to try it!
Make sure you spray the jar or wipe down with oil. When it's cool, just go around the edges with a butter knife.It will slide out easily.
Im pretty sure that canning bread and storing it for long periods is considered unsafe. I have taken canning classes and they always said you could not can bread.
This is such a neat idea. I love it! I plan to make some and hand them out to my family members. Do you happen to have a zuchinni bread recipe for this?
Love your web site. Love things made in a jar.
Thank you so much! I just made these and they turned out beautiful and delicious. I only had 2 jars so I used the rest to make mini loaves for my family. :)
I agree with Megan, canning bread does NOT make it shelf stable for long periods of time. The PH is not high enough to kill off botulism (or other dangerous bacteria) even if you use a water bath for canning. Be careful!
Cute idea to bake in jars though if you eat them right away! I love that you used vintage fabrics too! :)
These are adorable. I would only serve within a day or two or freeze. There is not a safe way to can bread for an extended period of time.
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/FN-FS_250_10.pdf