How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

I can not help it. I admit that I am in full on Fall swing! With that comes fall flavors and creative ideas that enhance my mood as the cooler weather, warmer clothing and evening walks become a mainstay!

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

Walking through the store the other day, I found a super cute old-fashioned metal container in my favorite deep red fall color. I snatched it up and immediately started planning on how to make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar! Semi-Homemade because the metal container, glass bowl and other parts were not created from scratch in my house. I am simply putting a lot of things together.

Semi-Homemade Candy Jar

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

First, head to Walmart to purchase the items you need.

  • candy
  • Base – metal can, flower pot bottom or any other cute bottom of the jar.
  • Thin, circular glass jar – I found mine in the craft section
  • Bottom of a Flower pot – I purchased my separately in the garden area
  • Wooden knob – also found in the craft section
  • Small rocks  – also in the craft section
  • Paint of your choice
  • Sponge paint brushes
  • Glue gun and glue

Start by laying out all of your items on a clean table. I also had a paper towels nearby for paint drips.

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

Paint the inside of the ‘lid’, the bottom to the flower pot, first and allow to dry. I used 2 coats of my craft paint and it dried in less than 30 minutes.

While that is drying, paint your wooden knob to go on top. This can be messy so make sure your paper towels are around. I used a dry brush after the wet one to ‘sweep off’ the paint a little and make it more rustic looking.How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

I then flipped the lid over and painted the top. I also used 2 coats just to make it really barnyard red.

While the paint dries, add the rocks to the bottom of the base container. You want it to be weighted down so that it is not top heavy when full.

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

When the rocks are in, use a hot glue gun, or epoxy that you can buy at Walmart, and adhere the glass to the base container. To help in the process and to make sure it was secure, I added heavy books on top to aid in the seal.

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

After the paint and glue is dry, use the hot glue gun to attach the wooden handle to the lid. It only takes a moment to make it stick. Apply pressure with your finger.

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

Now you are ready to remove the books from the glass and to fill the jar with Pecan Pie M&M’s!

Add the M&M’s® Pecan Pie and put the lid on top!

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

Enjoy your new Semi-Homemade Candy Jar that everyone will ooh and ahhh over!

Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

No craft is fun to do without an extra special Fall treat to go along with it! So, in my happy, fall loving mood, I made Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes too!

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

While on the aisle, I grabbed some Mott’s® Apple Sauce, too, in the original flavor. First of all, it is always my go-to substitute for butter or oil in any recipe. Second of all, my kids and I love to sit and chat over a bowl of Mott’s® Apple Sauce so I needed a large container full!

How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Enter to WIN!! #BakeInTheFun ad

By the way, all of this shopping was making me really thirsty, so I grabbed a few bottles of Snapple® Apple and popped it open. I really wanted to try the NEW Snapple® Fall Spice but I could not find it in my store. Look for it in yours and then come back and tell me how it is!

Back to this super delicious recipe…

5.0 from 2 reviews
How to Make a Semi-Homemade Candy Jar and Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Enjoy these amazing Semi-Homemade Carrot Cake Cupcakes and relax with fall favorites
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Ingredients
  • 1 box Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Cake Mix
  • 1 can Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Cream Cheese Icing
  • 3 eggs
  • ⅓ cup Mott's® Apple Sauce Original
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup diced carrots, save some for garnish
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 1 cup crushed M&M's® Pecan Pie, save some for garnish
Instructions
  1. Make the cake mix with the Mott's® Apple Sauce Original being substituted for the butter or oil. Add in carrots, walnuts and M&M's® Pecan Pie. Pour into cupcake tins and bake according to instructions.
  2. When cool, use an icing tool or knife to ice with Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Cream Cheese Icing. garnish with carrots and Pecan Pie M&M's and serve

Now, a few things. These are amazing. And these are super amazing!