Cake In a Can

Cake in a Can is a fun and unique DIY gift idea, treat or campfire or family reunion dessert!

Benefits of DIY Cake In a Can

DIY has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Going DIY shows that you put thought, time and effort into creating something special whether a campfire cake you make together around the campfire or as a special gift for a loved one. It's a way to show them that you truly care and that you are willing to go the extra mile to make them happy.

It's also often more affordable. You can save money which is something we all would love to have a little more of right now!

Furthermore, DIY is a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you're making this on your own or with friends and family, it's a way to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime.

For my husband's family reunion we headed up to Brianhead area and rented a cabin for all of us. It was a great time. Every family is put in charge of a meal and dessert one night. I made some salted caramel gluten free sugar cookies for the adults. The kids made this for dessert. They had such a great time decorating their cakes and eating them.

Just a Note: Please use BPA free cans, and make sure you rinse and wash them thoroughly first before using. 

Materials needed

To make your cake, you will need the following materials:

• Empty and clean aluminum cans (such as soup cans)
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Cake mix of your choice
• Water
• Frosting of your choice
• Decorations of your choice (sprinkles, candy, etc.)
• Label or tag to personalize your gift

These materials are easy to find and can be purchased at any grocery store or craft store. You may also want to invest in a can opener that can safely remove the lid of the can without leaving any sharp edges.

Step-by-step guide

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease the insides of the cans.
2. Mix up cake mix according to package directions. You can also use our
3. Fill cans ½ of the way full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for about 18-25 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched in the middle and the top begins to brown.
4. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
5. When cakes are cool, frost the tops of the cake with frosting, sprinkles and other decorations if desired.
6. Don't forget to recycle your cans after enjoying!

Decorating and packaging

One of the best things about this cake is the ability to personalize it with different decorations and packaging. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Tie a ribbon around the can and attach a personalized label or tag.
• Add a layer of frosting to the top of the cake and sprinkle with your loved one's favorite candy or sprinkles.
• Use food coloring to dye the cake batter a fun and unique color.
• Cut out a circle of parchment paper to place at the bottom of the can before adding the cake batter. This will make it easier to remove the cake from the can once it's baked.

Different variations

The possibilities are endless when making this cake! Here are a few different variations to try:

• Red velvet with cream cheese frosting
• Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
• Lemon cake with raspberry frosting
• Funfetti with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles
• Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and chopped walnuts
• Yellow cake with chocolate frosting
• Red velvet cake with white chocolate buttercream frosting.
• Lemon cake with white chocolate buttercream.

Feel free to experiment with different flavors, frostings, and decorations to make each your cake unique and special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions you might have:

Can I make this cake gluten free?

Absolutely! I have several family members including myself that can't have gluten. Some of my favorite cake mixes you can use with this recipe are a gluten free yellow cake mix recipe. You can also try our gluten free chocolate cake mix. Or a gluten free Funfetti cake mix recipe! All of these are the equivalent of a boxed cake mix so it makes it super simple to substitute in this recipe.

Can I make the cake mix from scratch?

Of course! In addition to the cake mixes listed above you can also try our lemon cake mix from scratch. It's amazing!! If you aren't gluten free, you can substitute gluten flour in any of the cake mixes we have listed above.

How many cans do I need?

You will need approximately 8-12 (10 oz) clean cans per box of mix. Make sure the cans are clean and you use BPA free cans.

Love this recipe? 36th Avenue shows you how to package them up as a birthday gift for someone with printables and everything!