'stache IN A BOX: Retro Recipe Roundup

If your party theme took a spin in the time machine, you might be hungry for some retro SWEET treats sprinkled with vintage charm. Nothing brings more character to the kitchen table than good old fashioned mason jars, so surprise your guests by serving your party cakes sealed inside, -just like grandma's gooseberry jam!

Mason jar cakes are perfectly portable, totally adorable and can be made days in advance, but don't be fooled by their simple style because the self contained jars are a wonderful way to bake in ooey gooey layers, textures and even a rainbow of colors. We found oodles of gourmet recipes that will please everyone from Tabitha who's turning two to the blushing bride and her new vegan nephew!

Stack 'em up pretty or pack 'em up for a party on-the-go! Dress 'em with custom labels, ribbons and bows!

Send some to your son who is far away. Make one for mom on Mother's Day and two for dad on Father's Day. Bribe your teachers or your boss!

Can't wait? Even Miss Manners would advise you not to wait for a special occasion to bake a batch of these little lovelies. They are ideal for picnics and packed lunches too!

We like to eat 'em right out of the jar, so the pint or half-pint size are ideal depending on your appetite. The itsy-bitsy 4 oz. jelly jars should be just right for tiny tots! The canning jars will cost you about $7-10 a dozen unless you raid aunt Sally's secret stash or are lucky enough to find 'em at a thrift store or yard sale.

You'll want to have a nice big cookie sheet ready to bake 'em on and be careful not to overfill the jars if you're planning to put lids on!

Sterilize your seals and lids in boiling water while your cakes are cooking, then screw the (hot) lids on loosely while your cakes are still hot out of the oven and you'll get a nice airtight vacuum seal, -just wait a few minutes for the popping sound and you'll know it worked!

For safety's sake, it's probably best to store your cakes in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat or serve them. They should stay fresh for 3-10 days depending on the recipe and vacuum sealing will probably buy you a few extra days.

Once you've baked your cakes, you can get a little crazy in your craft corner and decorate the heck out of 'em. Wrap a ribbon around the rim or attach a fork with simple string. Stickers and tags can be personalized to match your party theme for edible take home favors and gifts.

Here are a few of our favorite cake in a jar recipes. ENJOY!