Tuesday, March 25, 2014

How to Make a Glazed 7 Up Mason Jar Cake - A Wedding Anniversary Post by Cleo Coyle

Because the word UP in Chinese sounds like HAPPINESS, the 7 UP drink is considered to be lucky, and it is the beverage of choice at many Chinese weddings. My husband and I discovered that little piece of trivia while researching our 11th culinary mystery, A Brew to a Kill, which features some adventurous (and tasty) sleuthing in New York’s Chinatown.


Marc and I write
The Coffeehouse
Mysteries to learn more

click here.
As it so happens, today is the anniversary of my wedding to my partner in crime-writing, my husband, Marc. 

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!


What better day to share a little "happiness" cake with him—and all of you. Weddings aside, Spring is finally in the air (at least for some of the country), and a kicky little cake with bright, lemon-lime flavor feels like a happy idea, too. So let’s get baking…but first...

You're Invited to a Free Event...

Marc and I are very happy to be giving a talk, signing books, and enjoying a free coffee tasting at the event below. We hope you'll come by to meet us and sample a taste of a "Billionaire Blend" coffee, thanks to the One Good Woman coffee shop and Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop.

Click here or on the photo below for more info...



* * * * 


Cleo Coyle's
Little Glazed
7 Up 
Mason Jar Cake

7 Up Cake has been popular since the 1950s when home bakers began replacing water in their cake mixes with the lemon-lime soft drink to help make the cake light and airy. By the early 1980s, light and airy went out the kitchen window, and home bakers began making 7 Up pound cakes, usually in a Bundt pan.

This is my fun, little version of the half-century old 7 Up cake. I kept the ingredient list simple and included Greek yogurt, something I always have in my fridge these days. 
I also enjoy blueberries, and that's an option for you, too. So toss a few into the jar before cooking it, if you like. They taste great with the light citrus flavor of the little cake. Enjoy...

~ Cleo


Ingredients:

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white, granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons 7 Up soft drink (carbonated, not flat)
1 tablespoon lime (or lemon) Greek yogurt
1-1/2 teaspoons vegetable, canola, or cold-pressed (liquefied) coconut oil
(optional) 5 or so blueberries, fresh or frozen

*To learn more about cold-pressed coconut oil (a healthier oil option) and what kinds to buy, click here. (The notes are in my recipe post for Chocolate Ricotta Muffins.)

Directions:

In a Mason jar with an 8 to 12 ounce capacity (my photos show a jar of 8 ounce capacity), stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Make a well in these dry ingredients and measure in the (carbonated) 7 Up, Greek yogurt, and oil. Mix until well blended into a smooth batter. Be sure all of the flour, especially at the bottom of the jar, is fully incorporated. If you're not sure, mix up the batter in another bowl and then pour it into the jar.


If using blueberries, toss them on top of the batter now.

Microwave about 1 minute or just a little over. This can be tricky. I have a 1,000 Watt microwave and I use high (full) power for 1 full minute plus about 10 to 15 seconds. You’re watching for the batter to rise to the top of the (8 ounce) jar and the top surface should become solid/springy when touched.


For the glaze, place 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar into a small bowl. Add a small splash of 7 Up soda. Whisk well. If the glaze seems too loose, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more 7 UP. Adjust and spread on top of the cooled Mason Jar Cake.









Eat (and read) with joy!
~ Cleo Coyle


New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

Yes, this is me, Cleo (aka Alice). 
Friend me on facebook here.
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Visit my online coffeehouse here.




Now a National
Bestseller in Hardcover

A Coffeehouse Mystery 

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"...a highly satisfying mystery."
-Publishers Weekly



See the book's
Recipe Guide
by clicking here.



* * * 


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The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling
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15 comments:

  1. Looks delicious Cleo, I'm going to give it a try!

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  2. Happy Anniversary Cleo and Marc!!!! What a fun recipe, I think I'll make it for my sweetie.

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  3. Happy anniversary you two kids! Love the wedding portrait--how many years? You look younger and younger so marriage must agree with you!

    And the 7-UP cake is so cute and funny:)

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  4. Happy Anniversary. I think I will be helping you celebrate by trying out this recipe. Sounds delicious!

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  5. Happy Anniversary to you both. This sounds easy and good. I wonder if it would work with my gluten free all purpose flour that is suppose to be cup for cup of regular flour. I will give it a try this weekend and see.

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Alice!! I hope you and Marc have a wonderful day and many more happy years together.

    That really looks good! The crumb looks amazing for something done in a microwave. I will have to pick up the 7-Up this weekend and try it..

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  7. Happy Anniversary!

    I just happen to have a few mason jars I was wondering what to do with. Off to the store to get some 7-Up!

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  8. First of all, Happy Anniversary. Second, thank you for the fun recipe. I have made a number of other microwave cakes and desserts for one but had not done any with the 7-up. Our grandchildren are with us every afternoon after school, so having fun things for them to do works out great. They both love to fix food, especially desserts, and our grandson won't eat any of this being very very picky about food, but still loves to bake. Will hunt down some of my jars. I made the other cakes in a mug which works great. I use a tall mug so that I can put frosting on it or ice cream and it doesn't drip over the edge. Thank you for sharing. Cynthia

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  9. Cleo and Marc, happy anniversary!!!! What a darling wedding picture. And I love this cake. What fun. I've got to try it, gluten-free, and see if it lightens up a GF cake, too. So much fun! Love the research you did to figure it out. :)

    Hugs and raising a toast...later in the day.
    Daryl / Avery

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  10. Very best wishes on your anniversary!

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  11. Such a cute couple. Happy Anniversary with many more to come. Cake sounds great! I remember my mom making a 7UP pound cake. I also make a Cola cake that is sooo moist.

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  12. Lovely post, Cleo! I look forward to making these. Happy happy to you and Marc.

    XOXO

    MJ

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  13. Happy Anniversary, Cleo and Marc! You were such a cute, young couple in that picture. May you always be as happy as you were that day.

    I'm glad you provided pictures, because this idea is new to me. Never would have believed it!

    ~Krista

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  14. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes! Marc and I are enjoying our anniversary day (which is why I'm keeping my reply short at the moment!), but I wanted to take the time to let you all know that your lovely comments are very kind and have made our day all the more joyful. Cheers to you all! (I'm now pouring us *virtual* bubbly--champagne or 7 UP, your choice! :))

    XOXO

    ~ Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    “Where coffee and crime are always brewing…”
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  15. That looks interesting. I've never made a cake in a mason jar before. Hoping you are enjoying a memorable anniversary and keep on writing!!

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