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Patriotic Cake in a Jar

From READY SET EAT

Featured Brands: PAM, DUNCAN HINES

Makes 12 servings

These patriotic cakes in a jar make a unique party dessert that are almost too cute to eat!

INGREDIENTS

PAM Baking Spray
1 cup water
1 pkg (0.23 oz each) unsweetened watermelon drink mix
1 pkg (15.25 oz each) DUNCAN HINES Classic Yellow Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon blue food coloring gel
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring gel
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
1 pkg (8 oz each) cream cheese
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 mini seedless watermelon, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick planks

4-inch lollipop sticks

DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 11 x 17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2.Dissolve drink mix in water. Beat cake mix, water mixture, eggs, and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until blended, about 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly into 2 bowls, about 2 1/2 cups each. Stir blue food coloring into one bowl and red food coloring into remaining batter.

3.Pour blue batter onto one half of the pan and red batter onto the other half; spread evenly. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.

4.Beat heavy cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until thickened, about 2 minutes. Slowly beat in confectioners’ sugar until blended. Beat in cream cheese and vanilla until blended. Beat on medium speed until thick and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

5.Cut cake into 1-inch squares. Place red cake cubes in bottom of 12 half pint jars. Top evenly with filling and blue cake squares. At this point, you can cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

6.Use small star-shaped cookie cutters to cut watermelon stars. Place on sticks and poke into jars. Serve immediately.

TIPS:For the boldest blue and red color, use gel colors purchased from the craft section of the store

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at readyseteat.com