Today I have Shaina Olmanson joining us with a recipe for Cinnamon Coffee Cake from her new Desserts in Jars cookbook. Not only do desserts in jars make wonderful edible favors for your wedding guests, but they are a perfect gift choice for the holidays. Your recipients will simply add a few ingredients and then pop it in the oven to enjoy. Shaina is the author of Food for my Family where she blogs about feeding her family of six while trying to eat right and enjoy their food while still saving money and time. 

Cinnamon Coffee Cake Mix
by Shaina Olmanson {author of Desserts in a Jar}

Ingredients for the mix Makes 1 jar of cake mix, to yield one 9-inch-square cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cinnamon chips
• 1 cup sugar
• Vanilla bean seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean pod
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions for Layering in the Jar
• Mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon in a bowl. Place in a 1-quart jar. Top with a layer of cinnamon chips.
• Mix together the sugar and the vanilla bean seeds and add as a layer in the jar. Top with the chopped pecans. Seal with the lid and decorate the jar if you like.

You can then attach a label with these instructions for the recipient:

To Make the Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream or Greek-style yogurt
• 1/4 cup whole milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. Mix together the butter, eggs, and yogurt in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in all the contents of the jar, then slowly stir in the milk. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm.